- The Palaszczuk Government’s 2023/24 Budget invests an additional $4.175 million over three years for crocodile safety initiatives.
- This includes funding for a new 5-year Crocwise Strategy based on leading edge approaches to public communication and human behavioural change.
- The strategy includes working with First Nations people, local governments, and the tourism sector to promote Crocwise behaviour in Croc country.
The Palaszczuk Government will invest an additional $4.175 million over the next three years to implement initiatives to help locals and visitors to make good Crocwise behaviour choices when in Croc Country.
Environment Minister Leanne Linard visited Rockhampton today to announce the additional funding and receive an update on local crocodile management issues.
The greater Rockhampton region is located within Croc Country, with the Fitzroy River home to the southern-most breeding population of estuarine crocodiles in the world.
As part of a new Crocwise Strategy, the Palaszczuk Government will partner with local governments to trial, develop and install small-scale Crocwise infrastructure to prevent crocodile attacks in high-risk areas.
The strategy also includes the development and commercialisation of a device to detect and deter estuarine crocodiles by using multi-beam sonar technology and artificial intelligence to detect the animals, and deter approaching crocodiles in high-use hotspots using underwater sound pulses.
The Queensland Crocodile Management Plan is designed to help keep people safe while ensuring the ongoing survival of crocodile populations in the wild.
Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, the high recreational use section of the Fitzroy River above The Barrage is designated as Zone C – Targeted Management Zone.
This means all crocodiles above two metres in length, or any smaller crocodiles displaying dangerous behaviour, are targeted for removal from the wild.
People in Croc country must remember that they are responsible for their own safety.
Quotes attributable to Environment Minister, Leanne Linard:
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping people in Croc Country safe.
“That’s why the 2023/24 State Budget includes an investment of $4.175 million over the next three years to support Crocwise public safety initiatives.
“Part of this funding will be used to develop and commercialise a device to detect estuarine crocodiles approaching high recreation use areas and drive them away using pulses of noise.
“My department is also working with human behavioural change experts, First Nations peoples, local governments and the tourism sector on further risk-mitigation methods, including the installation of small-scale physical Crocwise infrastructure to prevent crocodile attacks at waterways in high-risk areas.
“Barry O’Rourke and Brittany Lauga have been in regular contact with me since I became Environment Minister about issues with crocs in the Fitzroy River.
“I am advised that the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is responding to local issues, including setting a floating trap in the river earlier this month to capture a large crocodile which has been identified for removal.
“I understand there is also meeting with the Fitzroy River Users Group tomorrow night (22 June) in Rockhampton to discuss Crocodile Management in the Zone C Section above the Fitzroy River Barrage.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke:
“Rockhampton is Croc Country and everyone who uses the Fitzroy River needs to keep that in mind and act appropriately.
“Everyone has a role to play when it comes to safety around crocs. The Palaszczuk Government is doing its bit by investing additional funding over the next three years in crocodile safety initiatives.
“The new Strategy, with enhanced Be Crocwise messaging, will promote the uptake of Crocwise behaviour, and provide practical advice on how to make Crocwise choices in Croc country.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga:
“The Palaszczuk Government is listening to the community and acting to keep locals and visitors safe from crocodiles.
“I look forward to seeing some of the new technology being developed under the new Crocwise Strategy deployed in the Fitzroy River to help in protecting locals and visitors alike.
“However, there is no room for complacency when you’re dealing with crocs. I strongly urge everyone using the river to be CrocWise and keep safe.”
