SURF lifesaving club memberships are plummeting amid fears of crocodile attacks in the North, Katter’s Australian Party claims.
Public hearings into KAP’s proposed crocodile management plan have been held in Port Douglas, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay this week, where tourism leaders and other stakeholders were invited to make submissions.
KAP State leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter said there was no disputing that crocodile numbers were exploding in the North, posing a risk to public safety.
“Many people don’t seem to grasp the scope of the issue and how it is effecting the everyday lives of North Queenslanders,” Mr Katter said.
He said government figures showed that there were 700 reported crocodile sightings in Queensland last year, up from 378 in 2017 and just 176 in 2010.
There had been 489 sightings reported in the North until July 27 this year.
On Monday, Mr Katter spotted 20 crocs in an hour while taking a chopper flight over the Burdekin.
Mr Katter said the problem was impacting on the lifestyle residents in the North previously enjoyed.
“Some surf lifesaving clubs are reporting falls of 20 per cent in member numbers as a direct result of the fear of a crocodile attack,” Mr Katter said.
“In North Queensland during 2017/18 there were 24 forced beach closures due to crocodile sightings which was up from the previous year of 15.
“We’ve had scientists and tourism business operators supporting the call for a crocodile cull.
“The Labor Government does nothing about the immediate problem, but if someone dares to take action to protect themselves or their livelihood the Government will spring into action with their lawyers at their side to punish these people.”
Vocal crocodile critic, KAP Leader and Kennedy MP Bob Katter said the Safer Waterways Bill would provide new employment opportunities in indigenous communities.
“No one is game to walk on the beaches anymore,” Mr Katter Snr said.
“It’s doing enormous damage to our tourism and recreational industries and as (Hill MP) Shane Knuth says, all we are asking is to get our waterways back. Our greatest recreational asset – our waterways – have been taken off us by Brisbane.
“What we are asking for is for the removal of crocodiles from the population areas between Mackay and Port Douglas. It is a very tiny narrow strip.
“To restore nature’s balance, we give back to First Australians some employment.
“If we give them back the right to access the crocs by way of safaris and egg harvesting, then you will put nature back in the balance that it was in for the last 40,000 years.”
