Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson said she would support a croc-wise education program over culling following a recent spike in croc catches in Katherine.
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Ms Nelson said she has been receiving ministerial briefings on the issue and the option of safari hunting crocodiles has been discussed.
But as a protected species, Ms Nelson said culling was not her first preference.
“If the current management plan isn’t effective I would support culling,” she said.
“But that is the extreme option.
“I would like to thoroughly read through the management plan to see what other options are available first.”
Ms Nelson said although crocodile numbers are higher than what she’d like to see, the amount of crocodiles lends itself to the attraction of the NT.
“For a tourist I think it’s great, It’s not everyday you can go down a river and see a crocodile, you definitely can’t do that in other parts of Australia,” she said.
With culling being the extreme option, Ms Nelson is looking into other ways to reduce the risk of human encroachment of crocodile habitat.
“It’s their environment.
“I’ll be driving around to all of the popular swimming spots to look at the signage.
“Whether it be bigger signage or the inclusion of more languages on the signs, I will be talking to the ministerial office about effective signage.
“It is an awareness thing,” she said.
Ms Nelson also agreed with the recent comment from Katherine Mayor Fay Miller, seeing financial benefit from crocodile culling go towards Indigenous people and remote communities.
“I think it is a great idea, I am very supportive,” Ms Nelson said.
“Indigenous people should definitely be part of the conversation.”