KAP introduces crocodile management bill in attempt to make waterways safer

State Member for Hill, Shane Knuth, today, introduced into parliament, the KAP’s Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2024, designed to address the escalating human-crocodile conflict in North Queensland.

Responding to constant calls from North Queensland communities, the new bill places a premium on human life by implementing aggressive measures to mitigate the risks posed by the increasing crocodile population.

The bill mandates Zero Tolerance of any crocodile identified in populated waterways, either through relocation to authorised farms and sanctuaries or, if necessary, by killing.

Private landholders who have a waterway through their property will also be able to contact the QCA for immediate removal of crocodiles on their property.

Mr Knuth said this approach aims to restore safety in areas where residents and tourists once freely engaged in water activities but are now threatened by crocodile presence.

“This bill is about prioritising human life in waterways that are heavily used by North Queenslanders for recreational, leisure and commercial activities.

It is ridiculous that current practices dictate crocodiles will be observed for any dangerous behaviour before removal.

ANY crocodile in any populated waterway poses a direct danger to human life and should be removed immediately.”

Mr Knuth highlighted data from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation which underscores the urgency of the issue.

“In 2023 there were 1,216 reported sightings of crocodiles, marking a significant increase from 176 sightings in 2010.”

To the north of Cairns crocodile sightings are an everyday occurrence and few of these encounters are ever reported to rangers.

Mr Knuth said the unchecked rise in crocodile numbers has profoundly disrupted the lives of North Queenslanders and business.

“I am saddened that our tourism industry is trying to promote our beautiful beaches and waterways, but when tourists arrive, all they see are croc signs and beach closures, which basically warns that if you swim, you are potentially going to be ripped to pieces.”

Mr Knuth said a key feature of the Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2024 is the empowerment of Indigenous landholders.

The Bill recognises their unique connection to and understanding of the land and grants them the authority and opportunity to manage crocodiles on their land how they see fit.

This includes options for relocating, maintaining, or killing crocodiles, engaging in the lucrative practice of egg harvesting and allowing a quota of ‘high-end’ clients to pay to harvest saltwater crocodiles.

“This bill provides real opportunities for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, by providing jobs and economic development,” said Mr Knuth.

To implement and oversee these initiatives, the Queensland Crocodile Authority (QCA) will be created and based in Cairns, which will be responsible for all aspects of crocodile management.

“With almost 80% of Queensland’s crocodile population located in North Queensland, it makes sense to decentralise the management of crocodiles from Brisbane to the Far North,” said Mr Knuth.

Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto said residents in the north had been crying out for better crocodile control measures for years.

“People in the north are getting increasingly frustrated with Brisbane’s dismissive response to the threat of crocodiles.

“Those who are having interactions in close proximity to crocodiles are tired of being warned that they live in “croc country” because most of the time, there was no croc there before but now there is, and there is a reason for that and it needs to be addressed.

“That’s why I am so supportive of the bill the Member for Hill has introduced today because it would see real action taken to protect human life, reduce croc numbers in high risk areas and also work to maintain the sustainability of the crocodile population.”

Traeger MP and KAP Leader Robbie Katter said anyone from North Queensland instinctively knows that there is a vast chasm and cultural divide between the Governing centre 2,000 km’s away and North Queensland with crocodile management highlighting that divide.

“The KAP are the North Queensland party for common sense and reality, and we know that Brisbane bureaucrats have no idea about reality.

“This bill takes a practical approach to using North Queensland knowledge to managing crocodiles.

“I want to also point out that KAP’s policy has never been about wiping out the crocodile population. We love crocodiles but unfortunately, they love us a bit too much.”