Crocs are off limits to Queenslanders, with new laws introduced this week to further limit human interaction with the prehistoric reptiles.
The State Government has now made it illegal to discard food scraps which may attract crocs and you will face a fine if you “remain in close proximity” to one.
State Environment Minister Leanne Linard said feeding crocodiles increased the risk to public safety as the reptiles loitered around public places such as boat ramps, marinas, and tourist locations waiting for a feed.
She said discarded food sources and habituation to humans could lead to changes in animal behaviour and were the main reasons for the removal of problem crocodiles outside active removal zones.
“Two new offences have been introduced making it unlawful to unintentionally feed a crocodile by discarding food and remaining in close proximity to a crocodile,” she said.
Minister Linard said discarding food, including fish frames, scraps and bait, in a way that could attract crocodiles to a public place such as a boat ramp, jetty, pontoon or camping area could now result in an on-the-spot fine of $483 or a maximum court-imposed fine of $6452.
Knowingly remaining within close proximity to a crocodile that is on, or partly on, land could now result in an on-the-spot fine of $806 or a maximum court-imposed fine of $16,130.
This offence complemented the existing “disturbing” offence which prevented people from approaching or pursuing a crocodile or driving a boat or vehicle within 10m of it.
Minister Linard said conservation officers now also had the power to direct people to move away from a crocodile to avoid any potential human-crocodile interactions.
She said the government has also increased penalties for existing offences which aimed to deter people from engaging in behaviours that posed a serious risk to public safety and animal conservation.
“The on-the-spot fine for deliberately disturbing or feeding crocodiles has increased from $483 to $2580, with the maximum court-imposed fine increasing from $6452 to $26,615,” she said.
“The on-the-spot fine for interfering with a crocodile trap has increased from $645 to $2580, with the maximum court-imposed fine increasing from $19,356 to $26,615.”
