Another sighting of a large crocodile just off Four Mile Beach has prompted calls for action and criticism of Douglas Shire Council’s stance on croc management. 

Port Douglas Surf Lifesaving Club patrol members spotted the crocodile, believed to be over four metres long, inside the swimming area at Four Mile Beach on Sunday at midday.

The animal was less than 20 metres from a swimmer when spotted, with the beach being declared closed for four hours.

The spotting and closure follows a similar incident that the Newsport reported on in August.

Michael Bolt from Port Douglas Surf Lifesaving Club said large crocodiles posed a significant risk to human safety and needed to be removed, also writing an open letter critical of council’s lack of a Zone 2-level crocodile management plan. 

“Right now we have a Zone 3 croc management plan which means a croc has to show aggressive behaviour before they will remove it,” Mr Bolt told the Newsport.

“For a croc this size, they can be lightning fast and if they go after a kid or a young adult they will be gone in one gulp.”

Newsport will publish a follow-up story later today with Council’s response to the open letter.