Crocodile issues to be put on the table in Port Douglas
PUBLIC MEETING
CROCODILE management in Port Douglas will be put squarely on the table at a special public meeting next week involving the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP).
Douglas Shire Mayor Julie Leu met with staff members from EHP in Brisbane last week following growing concerns over crocodiles in the region.
Tourism operators, community organisations and members of the public will be given a platform to air their views on recent crocodile behaviour to EHP representatives at the meeting, which will be chaired by Council and the Daintree Marketing Cooperative.
It comes after the crocodile issues in Port Douglas went mainstream in a segment on Channel 10’s The Project on Monday night.
“Council has been approached by a number of local tourism operators and community organisations in recent months highlighting their concerns that there appears to be more crocodiles of concern which are larger in size and show no fear of humans in areas where they haven’t been a problem before,” Leu said.
“Council sent a submission to the State Government in August regarding its review of crocodile management which called for a more comprehensive survey of crocodile numbers in the Douglas Shire and more local resources to respond to crocodiles of concern.
“But there appears to be a disconnect between the community’s concerns and the Department’s response which we hope this meeting will go some way to repairing.”
The meeting will be held at the Port Douglas Community Hall next Wednesday November 2, starting at 1pm.
The segment on The Project spoke about the increasing number of crocodiles being seen off Dicksons Inlet in Port Douglas. It also featured some strong words from Cairns Regional City Councillor Brett olds.
WATCH the segment on The Project
“Blind Freddie could tell you there is more crocodiles here than there have been,” he said.
“I don’t believe doing a cull right now is the answer, but I can tell you that if you do nothing, and a human life gets taken, you’ll have a lot more support from the people saying cull.”
What do you think? Does Port Douglas have a crocodile problem? Have your say in the comments below!