Douglas Shire Council has responded to sightings of a 4-metre crocodile at Four Mile Beach over the weekend, saying the management of crocodiles was a State Government responsibility but that it is developing a community education program about the animals. 

Port Douglas Lifesaving Club vice president Michael Bolt sent an open letter to the media on Tuesday slamming council for its stance on crocodile management after the sighting on Sunday.

“The high usage of Four Mile Beach by the public and the alarming frequency of crocodile sightings close to the beach and within the swimming reserve leads to the conclusion that a fatality is very likely unless proactive measures are adopted by the council as have been urged by the Surf Life Saving club and the Outrigger canoe club for some considerable time,” Mr Bolt said in the letter. 

“The question goes begging as to why the Cairns Regional Council can see the need to offer a greater measure of safety to the beach going public by  implementing the Zone 2 management programme  and yet the Douglas Shire Council is unable to make a positive decision.”

In an email yesterday a spokesperson pointed out information available to the public on council’s website.

“The State Government is responsible for crocodile management, not Douglas Shire Council,” the spokesperson said.

“Anyone who sees a dangerous crocodile near beaches or recreational waterways should bcall the CrocWatch hotline on 1300 120 372 immediately so action can be taken if it is a crocodile of concern.”

Council is developing a ‘CrocWise’ public education program and has also collected shire resident’s viewpoints on crocodile management over a series of public workshops, and will submit those findings to the Environment Minister. 

Meanwhile Councillors Terry Melchert and Abigail Noli have however both written open letters to state Environment Minister Andrew Powell asking Zone 2 crocodile management regulations be introduced to the Douglas Shire area, which would allow officers to relocate any crocodile over two metres in length.