The Newman Government has appointed experienced crocodile handlers Dawul Wuru Indigenous Corporation to help remove crocodiles from the Cairns region.

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell made the announcement accompanied by Member for Barron River, Michael Trout and Director of the Dawal WuruIndigenous Corporation, Gavin Singleton in Cairns today.

“The Cairns region is one of Queensland’s most popular tourism destinations and home to 160,000 people,” Mr Powell said.

“We simply must make these waters as safe as we can to protect locals as well as visitors and ensure this important pillar of the economy remains a priority.

“We heard loud and clear prior to the 2012 state election that people living here in far north Queensland wanted real crocodile management, something Labor had failed to deliver.

“We needed an approach that conserved the animals while recognising that people use the region’s magnificent waters.

“Since then we’ve introduced new crocodile management plans for the Cairns, Townsville, Hinchinbrook and Cassowary Coast local authority areas that, among other things, prescribe ‘no tolerance’ zones for crocs.”

“So far this year 31 crocodiles have been removed from waterways north of Mackay. Half of those have been removed from the Cairns area. This new appointment of contracted crocodile removers will enhance our efforts and make Cairns waterways safer for years to come.”

Member for Barron River Michael Trout said the Dawul Wuru Indigenous Corporation would target crocodiles from the northern bank of Trinity Inlet up to Ellis Beach (including Lake Placid) and the downstream area of the Barron River and Chinaman’s Creek.

“The corporation’s work will be consistent with the Newman Government’s crocodile management plans and crocs will be removed humanely and, where possible, relocated to a crocodile farm or zoo,” Mr Trout said.

“The corporation’s appointment is for 12 months initially and was made after an expression of interest process that saw nine private operators vying for the work.

“These removals will make north and far north Queensland communities safer. We are sending a loud and clear message that crocs in specific locations will not be tolerated.”

Minister Powell added that although the corporation would help the government remove as many crocodiles as possible, no one could give an iron-clad guarantee that Cairns waterways would ever be croc-free.

“It’s vitally important locals and visitors – and indeed everyone who is in known crocodile country – practise crocwise behaviour,” he said.

This includes:

• Obeying croc warning signs
• Not swimming or letting domestic pets swim in waters where crocs may live
• Being aware that crocodiles also swim in the ocean
• Standing back from the water when fishing or cast netting
• Never provoking, harassing or feeding crocs
• Never leaving food, fish scraps or bait near the water, a camp site or boat ramp
• Always supervising children

Crocodile sightings should be reported to EHP on 1300 130 372 as soon as possible. EHP investigates all crocodile reports it receives.

Information on crocodiles, on being Crocwise, and copies of Queensland’s crocodile management plans are available on EHP’s website at www.ehp.qld.gov.au.