Croc attacks a 'reality check': Costigan

Stronger calls for a cull while EPA officer search for killer crocodile

Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan at the Proserpine River. Picture: inge hansen

WHITSUNDAY MP Jason Costigan has renewed calls for a crocodile cull in North Queensland after two separate attacks at the weekend.

The body of spear fisherman Warren Hughes, 35, was recovered by police divers after the discovery of his abandoned boat.

A 4.5m crocodile was found in the area acting aggressively and charging a police boat. Authorities are hunting the crocodile believing it's responsible for Mr Hughes' death.

The same weekend Lee De Paauw, 18, was lucky to be alive when he dove into the Johnstone River and a crocodile latched on to his arm. He fought it off but not before serious damage to his left arm.

De Paauw told media after his rescue that he dove into the water to impress British backpacker Sophie Paterson.

Mr Costigan said he would not stop campaigning for a 'scientific cull' of crocodiles, and these two examples showed just how prevalent the animals were in North Queensland.

"I saw two crocs as early as last Thursday in Proserpine River... one big fella that was probably 4m in length just outside of town,” Mr Costigan said.

"Pretending this isn't a problem is bulls**t, do more and more people have to die before something is done?”

Mr Costigan admitted that while in government the LNP did not do enough to address the crocodile issue.

"There is no doubt the problem is worse now than when the LNP was in government. We had the crocodile management plans, did they go far enough? Probably not,” he said.

But now Mr Costigan said the problem is worse than ever and it was only a matter of time before someone else is taken.

"The world media will descend on somewhere in North Queensland when a child is attacked and we will never hear the end of it. I want to see public safety as the number one priority. Without tourism Airlie Beach dies,” he said.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said crocodile management needed to be informed by science.

Mr Miles said there was no evidence that alternative crocodile management options, including culling, would have prevented either of the weekend's incidents.

"Sporadically culling would only lull people into believing an area is safer than it really is, and that will only increase the likelihood of another tragedy,” he said.

"Because the truth is there will always be crocodiles in 'croc country', and the best way to ensure your safety is to obey warning signs, keep pets out of the water and never swim in known crocodile habitat. We will continue to work closely with local governments on this issue and will host another CrocWise roundtable in Cairns on March 30.”

Environment Minister Steven Miles said wildlife officers had been authorised by EHP to use lethal force on the Cairns croc if necessary.

Originally published as Croc attacks a 'reality check': Costigan