Crocodile traps could be set at Goldsborough after flood took out Fisheries Bridge

The state government is considering trapping a 3m crocodile in the interest of public safety, after a recent bridge collapse left schoolchildren crossing a croc hotspot in a small punt.

The state government is considering trapping a 3m crocodile in the interest of public safety, after a recent bridge collapse that left schoolchildren crossing a croc hotspot in a small punt.

On December 18, the Fisheries Bridge that crosses the upper reaches of the Mulgrave River at Goldsborough was washed away by a torrent of floodwater.

For five weeks a handful of locals have been cut off, but with the resumption of school last week, pupils navigated the known croc spot in a 3m punt propelled by a series of pulleys.

Goldsborough Valley locals wait for school kids to cross the river. Picture: Peter Carruthers

At a meeting of a dozen households trapped on the southern bank on Thursday it was announced there would be a three-stage process to fully restore access.

Until then, a verbal undertaking had been made by the Department of Environment to attempt remove the resident croc, which has been spotted near Fisheries Bridge for about 12 months.

Goldsborough mother-of-two Sonya Bielek had her heart in her mouth twice a day last week while standing in a small boat laden with school kids, pulling on a rope to propel the punt through the fast flowing river.

Goldsborough resident Sonya Bielek pulls a small boat across the Mulgrave River to complete the daily school run after flood waters washed the Fisheries Bridge away on December 18. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Previously disappointed that the croc would have to attack someone before being removed, she celebrated a win to have the saltie trapped and removed.

“All the residents were super happy with it as a positive outcome,” she said.

“Whether it was the media attention or the Cairns council’s efforts, DES are planning on coming out to set traps to get rid of the crocs.”

Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said the first step in restoring access and making the river crossing safe was to install a pedestrian bridge that will be manufactured by Dawsons Engineering.

Cairns Regional Council has begun survey work to install a pedestrian bridge, then a temporary vehicle bridge with a 10 tonne limit, over the upper reaches of the Mulgrave River in the Goldsborough Valley. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We think that will be a month away,” he said.

“The second stage will be a temporary road crossing with a limited weight of 10 tonne and then we will work on a long-term solution to a permanent bridge.”

Mr Moller said being an ambush predator, it was plausible the croc had been stalking residents getting in and out of boats, waiting for the best opportunity to strike.

Engineers from Cairns Regional Council and Dawson's Engineering complete surveying work to install a pedestrian bridge. Picture: Brendan Radke

He said it was for this reason that the fast-tracking of the bridge had been made a priority.

“It’s a location that crocs, as predators, will note and that’s why we need a bridge in place as soon as we can,” he said.

“If you come across with groceries, to manoeuvre the punt (is challenging) and with this they can cross more safely.”

A croc estimated to be 3m long was caught on video at Fisheries Bridge in the Goldsborough Valley before flooding destroyed the bridge in December. Picture: Supplied

Ms Bielek was elated about the footbridge solution.

“They agree that the pulley punt is a no go, so a walk bridge is the solution,” she said.

“We will have a walk bridge soon and a temporary drivable bridge after wet season ends.

“Council (has been) so awesome, we couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Cairns Regional Council has provided hire cars and offered accommodation for parents in Gordonvale while the bridge remains out of action.

A big section of the permanent concrete Fisheries Bridge causeway was washed away by severe flooding after Cyclone Jasper Picture: Brendan Radke

Malanbarra Yidinji traditional owner Nigel Young has just built a house on the river upstream from Fisheries Bridge but has been unable to move in due to the bridge being out.

He advocated for the removal of the 3m croc and said it was not the only one to inhabit the river upstream of Fisheries Bridge.

“There are a lot of people that go up there during the holidays and on the weekend, it’s bound to happen sooner or later,” he said.

“There is a chance it could attack someone someway.”

Goldsborough Valley local Nigel Young punts across the Mulgrave River on a small tinnie rigged up to a pulley system, after clearing felled trees on his property. Picture: Brendan Radke

Rangers investigated whether it was feasible to set traps last week, however the current was too strong and further efforts will be made on Tuesday to catch the croc.

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation stated despite multiple attempts rangers had been unable to sight the crocodile.

Rangers will monitor the area this week, including night-time spotlighting surveys.

“If they observe a crocodile and assess that it poses a risk to public safety, it will be targeted for removal,” a spokeswoman said.

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Originally published as Crocodile traps could be set at Goldsborough after flood took out Fisheries Bridge