General News
17 December, 2025
New croc plan released
LOCAL waterways could become much safer with the State Government’s new Crocodile Management Plan now including parts of the Barron River and Lake Mitchell (Southedge Dam) as reportable removal zones, but according to Member for Hill Shane Knuth, it is not enough.
The government released the new plan last week which has upped crocodile management in areas across Mareeba, Mulgrave and Ingham – a big win for public safety in areas affected by the intrusion of the apex predators.
Updates to the plan include a designated four-week annual consultation period as well as a mandatory review conducted every five years.
The Barron River and Lake Mitchell near Mareeba were now included in the new plan as “reportable removal zones” – meaning that if a crocodile is sighted and reported in these areas, it will be targeted for removal.
The debate on crocs reached an all-time high this year, when Mareeba cane farmer George Adil launched a petition to increase the zoning area for removal – after crocs were increasingly being spotted in places they had not previously inhabited.
“I have been campaigning for years to have the crocodiles that have invaded our waterways removed. I lodged a petition with parliament several months ago with over 4,500 signatures,” he said.
“It is good news to finally see a government that is not only listening to the people but is prepared to act.”
Member for Cook David Kempton said crocodiles were one of the big issues to emerge after his election, and he had been working to ensure action was taken.
“Estuarine crocodiles were turning up in creeks, rivers and farm dams where they were never previously seen, which posed a threat to anyone frequenting these spots,” he said.
Another advocate for the changes, Mareeba Shire Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt, said the new plan was good news.
“The increased patrols and the inclusion of the Barron River in the removal zones are commonsense steps toward keeping our residents and visitors safe,” she said.
However, Mr Knuth believes the reform made in the new plan was “minimal”.
He said the Northern Territory reviewed their “world-leading” crocodile management plan in 2024 and ultimately increased their annual allowable culling quota from 300 to 1,200.
“The reason, as stated by the NT Environment Minister, ‘was about public safety. We want to be able to go to our national parks and know that there’s waterholes that we can safely swim in’,” Mr Knuth said, quoting the minister.
“The crocodile population is exploding in Queensland, and action must be taken to implement an annual cull. To say that a cull doesn’t lead to public safety is absurd,” he continued.
“Queenslanders deserve to fish, swim, work and live without fear of becoming crocodile bait.”
