Pollies praises the proposed changes to the crocodile law at tourist attractions

A North Queensland mayor has welcomed proposed changes to crocodile management legislation but has issued a stark warning to tourists.

The Queensland Government has released a revised draft crocodile management plan proposing changes to management zones as well as “repurposing specific areas including the Tyto Wetlands near Ingham”.

The tourist destination is a vast, man-made wetland popular with birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo said crocodile sightings in Tyto – which is adjacent to public facilities such as the public library, a park and rugby pitches – had increased.

“From our own observations, there are clearly animals there and they are quite close to the hiking trails.”

A saltwater crocodile, also known as an estuarine crocodile, bathes on the banks of Palm Creek just outside Ingham in North Queensland. The animal is more than four meters long. Photo: Cameron Bates

He said the draft plan would allow the rezoning of part of the Tyto Wetlands from a General Management Zone E to a Targeted Crocodile Removal Zone (TCR), which would allow for the removal of crocodiles larger than 2.5 meters or any other problem . animals.

“That is a significant victory for the council.”

Despite the presence of multiple crocodile warning signs, a mother of two young children comes dangerously close to the waterline to photograph a blue water lily flower in the Tyto Wetlands in the middle of Ingham, Hinchinbrook, in this recent photo. The extensive wetlands are popular with bird watchers and tourists. Numerous sightings of crocodiles have been reported in the wetlands, where a number of saltwater inhabitants live. Photo: Cameron Bates

Saltwater crocodiles, accurately called estuarine crocodiles, are endemic to Hinchinbrook, the scene of a recent attack involving a “monster crocodile”.

Cr Jayo said concerns over the proposed changes to the management plan could lead to a “false sense of security” among visitors to not only Tyto, but other parts of the vast county ahead of the peak tourist season.

“The best available advice we have at the moment is to exercise our crocodile brain, be in crocodile territory, if we tone that down… people could get hurt, that’s my biggest concern.”

The Department of Environment and Science has put up signs warning of a recent saltwater crocodile sighting in the Tyto wetlands in Ingham. Photo: Cameron Bates

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said the proposal was great news for Ingham, but “there are still many areas in the Hinchinbrook electorate and across North Queensland that require rezoning”.

“For example, locals have noticed an increase in crocodile sightings at Rollingstone, Forrest Beach and many other swimming areas.”

Mayor Ramon Jayo of Hinchinbrook Shire Council outside Tyto on the Bruce Highway in Ingham. Photo: Cameron Bates

The KAP deputy leader said the lives of Queenslanders should come before crocodiles.

“Until crocodiles are removed from all populated areas used for recreational activities, we will be no closer to restoring balance to our waterways.”

He urged all stakeholders to express their concerns and recommendations on the new plan.

The public consultation on the new plan opened on Thursday and closes on June 5.

The feedback received will be analyzed by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Innovation before the plan is finalized and implemented later this year.

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