Newsroom

May 9, 2024

The Queensland Government have released a revised draft crocodile management plan that seeks to make changes to existing crocodile management zones and also rezone specific areas including the TYTO Wetlands at Ingham.

Hinchinbrook MP and Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Deputy Leader Nick Dametto said that he was pleased the Minister and the department had taken community feedback seriously and acknowledged the need to rezone the TYTO Wetlands after a spate of concerning sightings of large crocodiles in the popular tourist parkland.

“I must thank the Minister for her time and consideration of this important issue as well as to all the departmental staff involved in the review and the drafting of the revised plan,” Mr Dametto said.

“On behalf of Hinchinbrook Shire Council and Ingham residents I can say that we are very grateful that TYTO is now being considered as a ‘targeted crocodile removal zone’ meaning that all large crocodiles, and any crocodile displaying dangerous behaviour will be targeted for removal.

“TYTO Wetlands is promoted as a tourism attraction for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts, and it was previously the location for the district’s weekly parkrun.

“Although this is great news for the Ingham township, there are still many areas in the Hinchinbrook electorate and throughout North Queensland that require rezoning. For example, locals have noticed an increase in crocodile sightings at Rollingstone, Forrest Beach and many other swimming areas.

“The draft plan could benefit from some proactive measures and strategies such as those recently implemented in the Northern Territory (NT). There they will cull up to 1200 hatchling, juvenile or adult crocodiles per year and harvest 90,000 eggs.

“Are we going to wait until the severity of Queensland’s croc problem mirrors that of the NT before we implement more stringent measures. It makes no sense to wait until it’s a bigger problem before reacting.

“Queenslanders’ lives must take precedence over crocodiles, and in my opinion until crocodiles are removed from all populated areas that are used for recreational and leisure activities, we will be no closer to restoring balance in our waterways.

“As public consultation on the new plan commences today, I urge all stakeholders to voice their concerns and recommendations.”

Public consultation on the new plan opens today (9 May) and closes on 5 June. Feedback received will be analysed by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation before the plan is finalised and implemented later this year.

Photo: Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto and Kennedy MP Bob Katter at TYTO Wetlands