Sport
1 December, 2023
No crocs swim plan
PLANS are afoot to develop a large crocodile-free watersports playground, including a swimming area, at an old sand mine on the Barron River delta.
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford has revealed the proposal which he told Cairns Local News was in the very early stages.
It comes as Cairns regional councillor Brett Olds calls for a weir to be built at Lake Placid to prevent crocodiles and to create a safer swimming enclosure.
Mr Crawford said water sport clubs in Cairns had asked about the fate of the sand mines on the Barron delta, and the potential for a conversion into a water sports zone. “But these conversations are very early days and would need to be led by (Cairns Regional) council,” he said.
“We could have more success at croc-proofing that area, but there would still be a week or so every wet season when the delta floods and crocs swim in.
“If council works up a plan in the future, I’d be happy to back it.” Mr Crawford said he supported a crocodile-free swim area but not at Lake Placid because it was difficult to control the volume of water and crocs.
“But I don’t think Lake Placid is the answer because it is difficult to control the volume of water and crocodiles in a big river system,” he said.
Mayor Terry James said the idea was in the “very preliminary stages” but the council would not be involved in its development.
He said it would have to be a private venture and probably at the Caravonica sand mine site.
Cr James said the lease on the mine had a few years to run so it was a proposal in the next five to 10 years.
“It sounds like a good idea though,” he said.
Cr Olds (division 9) plans to make the Lake Placid proposal a state government election issue.
He wants the government and the council to go halves in a croc-preventative weir.
The lake is currently a zone B or active removal zone which is suited to areas of rivers, creeks and wetlands where crocodiles are frequently in close proximity to large urban populations. All crocodiles, regardless of size or behaviour are targeted for removal.
Zone A or barrier and removal zone is suited to areas where there are physical barriers that are generally effective in preventing crocodiles from entering the area. This applies, for example, to Aplins Weir in Townsville in the dry season. Any crocodile in this area is targeted for removal, regardless of size or behaviour.
In 2021 a croc was removed at Lake Placid after a man swimming in the lake was bitten by the reptile around the head and shoulders. In 2020 a 2m croc was also removed.
Cr Olds told last week’s council meeting that it was time to make the area totally free of crocodiles.
He said when he was in his teens he trained in the lake for triathlons and it was used by nippers during the stinger season.
“We have a huge opportunity here to back these guys (new Lake Placid operators) to put pressure on the state government as there will be an election next year and it’s a good time to light the fire, Cr Olds said.
Cr James agreed, and said: “It might give the kids something else to do rather than pinching cars”.
