Crocodiles
General Information
The Rockhampton Region is a known crocodile habitat.
Rockhampton has a number of management zones outlined in the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan. The Plan is designed to ensure the conservation of estuarine crocodiles in the wild, and reduce the risks to public safety from crocodiles. The Plan includes a Zone C (targeted management zone) within the Fitzroy River (Barrage impoundment). Zone C targets the removal of large resident crocodiles.
No matter the zoning, all crocodiles displaying dangerous behaviour are targeted for removal.
Crocodiles are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and it is an offence to kill, injure or take crocodiles from the wild without appropriate permits.
What you can do
No natural waterway in crocodile country is ever guaranteed to be free of crocodiles. It is important to practice croc-wise behaviour while working or relaxing near waterways, even if there are no warning signs.
For all emergency situations call 000.
Report all crocodile sightings to CrocWatch on 1300 130 372. Crocodile sightings should be phoned in even if the crocodile is not posing any threat – the Department of Environment and Science likes to keep tabs on the location and behaviour of all crocodiles in our region.
What Council can do
Upon reporting of local crocodile sightings, Council may choose to erect additional signage in areas of high public interaction with the water.
What the State Government can do
The Department of Environment and Science wants to know about crocodiles in our area. If no reports are received, then it is likely they will not be aware of the presence of the crocodile. Please report all crocodile sightings in our region to the Department.
The Department of Environment and Science takes all crocodile sighting reports from the public on 1300 130 372 (option 1), and erects warning signs at all major public water access points following a reported crocodile sighting. They will remain in place for 7 days following the sighting.
The Department receives, investigates and records all crocodile reports made by the public and will take appropriate action (including attempted removal) in accordance with the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.