New crocodile measures granted for Four Mile Beach
CROC ZONING
RELATED:
- <link march mayor-says-its-time-to-act-now-on-four-mile-beach-crocodile-threat>Mayor says 'it's time to act now' on Four Mile Beach crocodile threat
- <link march councillor-will-not-support-rezoning-to-remove-four-mile-beach-crocodiles>Councillor will not support rezoning to remove Four Mile Beach crocodiles
- <link march council-calls-for-big-crocs-to-be-removed-in-tougher-stance>Council calls for big crocs to be removed in tougher stance
- <link march victorian-tourist-watches-in-awe-as-four-metre-crocodile-swims-down-four-mile-beach>Victorian tourist watches in awe as Four Metre Crocodile swims down Four Mile Beach
- <link november crocodiles-hurting-reputation-of-regions-beaches-community>Crocodiles hurting reputation of region's beaches: Community
- Another croc scare
ALL crocodiles larger than two metres will be targeted for removal on Four Mile Beach after the Queensland Government agreed to change its crocodile management zoning.
The new measures also allow for the removal of any crocodile displaying aggressive behaviour, regardless of size, as part of a new Targeted Beach Management Zone.
The news is a win for large sections of the Port Douglas community who have been increasingly worried about the perceived inaction on crocodiles at the tourist heavy beach, despite the amount of sightings.
It prompted Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu to raise the issue with Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles after his latest crocodile management plan was released in March.
Leu said she welcomed the news and congratulated the State Government for ‘listening to the community’.
“Regardless of what zone an area is in you can never be complacent in Far North Queensland waters due to the presence of crocodiles, but these changes certainly give our communities more comfort that large and aggressive crocodiles in these areas will be targeted for removal,” she said.
“I’m very grateful that.... Dr Steven Miles took the time to discuss this issue with me personally when I raised Council’s concerns….and has followed through with his Department to ensure more stringent measures are implemented in the Douglas Shire.
“There is no doubt that crocodiles have increased in numbers and size in areas of the Douglas Shire where previously they were not an issue.”
The previous zoning did not allow the removal of any crocodile cruising the coastline between Dicksons Inlet and the Mowbray River, unless it was displaying aggressive behaviour.
The tougher stance will also apply to the Mossman River upstream of Foxton Bridge, Shannonvale Causeway and Spring Creek upstream of the causeway.
The area around Newell Beach’s Rankin St boat ramp and Ferndale Lake in Port Douglas will also allow for the removal of all crocodiles larger than two metres or displaying aggressive behavior, regardless of size.
Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers from Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation will also be trained to assist the Department by collecting information on the presence and behaviour of reported crocodiles.
The rezoning of Cooya, Newell, Oak and Wonga Beaches, as well as the boat ramp at Rocky Point and a number of information beach areas in the Douglas Shire have not yet been incorporated into the changes.
However, Leu said council remained committed to working with the Department on crocodile management in these areas.
Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
* Readers are encouraged to use their full details below to ensure comment legitimacy. Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport or its staff. Comments containing unlawful, obscene, defamatory or abusive material will not be published.
