Cairns Regional Council will ask the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) to consider relocating a crocodile believed to have taken up residency in Lake Placid.

At Thursday’s Infrastructure Services Committee Meeting, Mayor Val Schier successfully moved a motion to request that DERM review its response to crocodile sightings in known recreational swimming areas.

“We are seeing crocodiles in areas like Lake Placid, which are established recreation areas where people regularly swim,” Cr Schier said.

“I’m not talking about removing crocs from every waterway, but this is a well-frequented swimming area and I think we need to be protecting people.

“DERM have said they are not going to trap the animal, but maybe they need to rethink that position.

“And it isn’t just a safety issue – it’s an economic issue as well. There are businesses affected.”

Cr Schier said other popular recreation areas, such as Ross and Lock and Mulgrave River swimming holes, should also be crocodile-free.

Council erected crocodile warning signs at Lake Placid at the request of DERM last year. However, the reptile is not considered to be a “problem” crocodile and therefore there is no plan for relocation.