Cairns Regional Council - Saltwater Crocodile Management July 2013
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Cairns Regional Council
Saltwater Crocodile Management
July 2013
Prepared by: Wildlife Conservation, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection © The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection) 2013 Disclaimer This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3170 5470. This publication can be made available in an alternative format (e.g. large print or audiotape) on request for people with vision impairment; phone +61 7 3170 5470 or email . This document remains valid for 3 years following approval. A review after 12 months will be conducted. Policies can be revised more frequently than every 3 years if necessary. July 2013
Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Crocodile management zones in the Cairns Regional Council area ........................................................................ 3
2.1 Zone 1 ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.2 Zone 2 ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Beaches and open water sites .............................................................................................................................. 5
Inland water sites ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Boat ramps ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
In designated urban areas (existing Zone 2 areas) ............................................................................................... 6
Proactive removal areas ........................................................................................................................................ 6
2.3 Zone 3 ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
3. Communication strategy ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Appendix 1 .................................................................................................................................................................... 8
iiiCairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Policy
1. Introduction
Estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles naturally occur in waterways and water bodies in central and
northern Queensland. As any body of water in central and north coastal Queensland could
contain large and potentially dangerous saltwater crocodiles, the Department of Environment
and Heritage Protection (the department) manages saltwater crocodiles based on a strategic
approach. More information is available on the department’s website at www.ehp.qld.gov.au.
Monitoring, capture and removal of crocodiles may be undertaken by the department or a
departmental agent (licensed private operator) under the direction of the department.
Status of the document
Cairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management is a policy document that sits
beneath the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (the Act) and Nature Conservation (Estuarine
Crocodile) Conservation Plan 2007 (the Plan). It is not intended to override these documents
but to act as a guide to assist decision-making with respect to the management of estuarine
crocodiles under both the Act and the Plan. Therefore it should be not be interpreted
inconsistently with the requirements of either the Act or the Plan.
Management zones
There are 3 different management zones for saltwater crocodiles possible under this policy.
They are:
Zone 1: The objective is to prevent crocodiles from entering the zone and remove all
saltwater crocodiles that enter. Physical barriers (weirs, rock walls) are required between the
zone and any known populations of saltwater crocodiles. These zones may only be in place
for part of the year (for example the dry season). Management approaches reduce the risk of
crocodile attacks but can never guarantee 100% safety in natural waters.
Zone 2: The objective is to remove any saltwater crocodiles 2 metres (m) or greater in length
or a crocodile of any length that displays aggressive behaviour once a sighting is confirmed.
At any given point in time, this zone may have undetected large crocodiles in it or large
crocodiles that have been sighted but have not yet been removed. This zone has 4 main
types of areas included in it, i.e. open coastal waters and their associated beaches, inland
waters, designated urban areas and around boat ramps. In open coastal waters it is not
practical to capture animals and the removal technique is generally to encourage their
movement out of the zone.
Within the Zone 2 of the Cairns Regional Council Crocodile Management Plan there is also a
Proactive Removal Zone where crocodiles irrespective of size and behaviour are removed on
a proactive basis to the greatest extent possible.
Zone 3: The objective is to remove crocodiles of concern. A crocodile of concern is a
saltwater crocodile that:
• has attacked, or is about to attack, or is behaving aggressively towards, a person
• is determined by the department to pose a potential threat to human safety or wellbeing
because of the crocodile's location or behaviour; or
• has passed a crocodile prevention barrier and has attacked, or is about to attack, or is
behaving aggressively towards, stock, working dogs or aquaculture fisheries resources.
The above objectives will be pursued to the maximum extent possible, noting that crocodiles
are wild animals that can be difficult to detect and capture. All crocodiles removed from the
wild and are placed in a zoo or crocodile farm or, in some cases, humanely euthanised.
‘Croc wise’ behaviour by residents and visitors in and around the waters of central and north
Queensland is promoted as part of risk management.
1Cairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Policy
Crocodile management approaches in the Cairns Regional Council area
Management aim Zone 2 Zone 3
Site managed to minimise entry û û
Any crocodile sighted targeted for
2m and greater û
removal
Crocodiles of concern removed ü ü
Capacity to open and close site û û
Some warning and
Signs Some warning
interpretative
Public informed when crocodiles
ü ü
are seen
Awareness campaign ü ü
2Cairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Policy
2. Crocodile management zones in the Cairns
Regional Council area
Crocodile management is undertaken by departmental officers and their agents in conjunction
with Cairns Regional Council. Other organisations such as Surf Life Saving Queensland are
integral to the policy. Operational procedures in implementing this policy will be consistent
with the department’s estuarine crocodile management manual.
Appendix 1 outlines the use and sighting records for the key recreational locations within the
Cairns Regional Council area. Specific zones have been assigned to the sites of Freshwater
Creek Swimming Hole, the Cairns northern beaches and waterways from the northern bank of
Trinity Inlet to Ellis Beach (including Lake Placid, Chinaman’s Creek and the Cairns Urban
Management Area), and 4 boat ramps. The boat ramps are located at Tingira Street and
Blackfellow Creek, near the sugar terminal and at the end of Redbank Road.
3Cairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Policy
Crocodile management zones within Cairns Regional Council
4Cairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Policy
2.1 Zone 1
There are no Zone 1 areas identified in this policy as there are no sites where sufficient
barriers exist to prevent crocodiles from accessing the area.
The potential for Zone 1 areas at Freshwater Creek Swimming Hole and Lake Placid will be
determined through investigations into the ability of infrastructure options to prevent
crocodiles from entering these areas.
2.2 Zone 2
The objective of this zone is to remove any saltwater crocodiles of 2m or greater length, or a
crocodile of any length that displays aggressive behaviour once a sighting is confirmed.
Additionally, within the designated Proactive Removal area within this zone, this approach is
extended to proactively remove crocodiles irrespective of the animal’s size and behaviour to
the greatest extent possible. At this time it is not possible to stop crocodiles from entering the
zone or to remove all crocodiles immediately once they enter the zone so there will always
remain a residual risk of attack. Confirmation of sighting is the first response as other marine
animals (e.g. marine turtles) and inanimate objects such as floating logs or palm fronds are
occasionally misidentified as crocodiles.
The management approach required for Zone 2 depends on the use of the site and its
geography. This policy includes beaches/open water, inland water, boat ramps, designated
urban areas and proactive removal areas. The standard responses relevant to the different
sites are:
Beaches and open water sites
The zone extends for the length of the beach and 150m offshore from the highest
astronomical tide (HAT) line.
The response to a confirmed sighting of a crocodile 2m or greater or any crocodile displaying
aggressive behaviour is to encourage the crocodile (where possible) to move outside the
zone and monitor its activity, as it is difficult to trap or harpoon crocodiles in the open water.
Monitoring is generally highest in swimming enclosures which may reduce the risk at these
sites. Consequently funding support for stinger net enclosures will be considered as a risk
reduction measure for crocodile management.
Inland water sites
The zone extends for the specific area of water used for recreational activities.
The response to a confirmed sighting of a crocodile 2m or greater or any crocodile displaying
aggressive behaviour is to target the crocodile for removal. An attempt to remove the
crocodile may be undertaken by either trapping or harpooning, with the exact response
determined by a number of factors including crocodile behaviour and location.
Freshwater Creek swimming hole will be managed as Zone 2 during the dry season only
(May–October). At all other times it will be managed as Zone 3.
Boat ramps
The zone extends for 100m in any direction from the boat ramp.
The response to a confirmed sighting of a crocodile 2m or greater or any crocodile displaying
aggressive behaviour is to target the crocodile for removal. An attempt to remove the
crocodile may be undertaken by either trapping or harpooning, with the exact response
determined by a number of factors including crocodile behaviour and location.
Community education messages regarding the appropriate disposal of fishing waste will be
promoted. Reducing the amount of discarded waste such as crab baits and fish frames is a
key factor in reducing the likelihood of attracting crocodiles to boat ramps.
5Cairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Policy
Interpretative signs will be used including a stencilled crocodile outline on the boat ramp.
A measure to minimise crocodile risk around boat ramps, which is outside the scope of this
policy, is the use of floating pontoons adjacent to boat ramps. Floating pontoons allow people
to safely launch and retrieve boats without the need for entering the water. Members of the
public are encouraged to use such facilities where available.
In designated urban areas (existing Zone 2 areas)
Designated urban areas of Cairns are managed as Zone 2 by the department in conjunction
with Cairns Regional Council. A map of these areas and the management procedures are
available on the department’s website (search for ‘crocodile map’) at www.ehp.qld.gov.au.
Under this policy designated urban areas will continue to be managed according to current
procedures.
Proactive Removal Zone 2 areas
Within a Proactive Removal Zone area crocodiles are removed on a proactive basis
irrespective of the animal’s size and behaviour basis to the greatest extent possible.
Key management practices for each Zone 2 location
Location Response program
Freshwater Creek Standard response for Zone 2 inland water (May–October)
swimming hole Standard response for Zone 3 (November–April)
Cairns northern beaches Standard response for Zone 2 beaches and open water
Cairns northern beaches
waterways (all
waterways flowing into
coastline from the Proactive removal of crocodiles regardless of the animal’s size or
northern bank of Trinity behaviour to the greatest extent possible.
Inlet to Ellis Beach,
including Lake Placid
and Chinaman’s Creek)
Boat ramps Standard response for Zone 2 boat ramps
2.3 Zone 3
Zone 3 applies across the remainder of the Cairns Regional Council area. Here the
department records and investigates all crocodile reports made by the public regardless of the
location. The department will take appropriate action based on the safety risk posed by the
crocodile and do what is reasonably possible at the time (e.g. it may not be necessary to
investigate a crocodile moving through an area of known habitat in an unpopulated or
inaccessible area).
Any crocodile declared as a crocodile of concern will be targeted for removal from the wild.
6Cairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Policy
3. Communication strategy
A communication strategy will be developed as a key implementation tool of this policy. The
focus on public education is to encourage appropriate behaviours in and near the water. The
‘Croc wise’ campaign informs residents and visitors of the risks and appropriate behaviours
around waterways. More information is available by searching for ‘croc wise’ on the
department’s website www.ehp.qld.gov.au.
Warning (including recent warning signs) and interpretative signs at key entry points and
visitor facilities will be a feature of the communication strategy. Interpretative signs regarding
crocodile management will be developed and maintained as part of the ‘Croc wise’ initiative.
The department will maintain a database of where the signs are located. Signage will be
consistent with the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing's
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Sign Manual, July 2011. Other elements of the
strategy may include social media and direct contact with schools and community groups.
The public is encouraged to report crocodile sightings to 1300 130 372. In case of a crocodile
attack, the response is to call triple zero (000) or 112 from some mobile phones.
7Cairns Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Policy
Appendix 1
Visitor use and saltwater crocodiles recorded at major recreation sites since January
2010
Visitor Recorded saltwater
Location Description 1
use crocodiles
Popular swimming spot on Barron River; 8 crocodiles
Lake Placid High
no swimming enclosure; unpatrolled sightings
Popular swimming spot on Freshwater
Freshwater Creek
Creek; no swimming enclosure; High 1 crocodile sighting
swimming hole
unpatrolled
16km stretch of open beach and
waterways flowing into the coastline;
Cairns northern patrolled swimming enclosures at 69 crocodile
High
beaches Holloways Beach, Trinity Beach and sightings
Palm Cove; IRB/jet ski capacity at Palm
Cove
Tingara Street, Blackfellow Creek, near
10 crocodile
Boat ramps the sugar terminal and end of Redbank High
sightings
Road
1
Figures include number of crocodiles sighted between 1 January 2010 and January 2013.
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