Latest news with #FarNorthQueensland
ABC News
4 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Terri Irwin calls Katter's Australian Party crocodile cull plan 'dangerous' as Queensland considers new laws
World-famous conservationist Terri Irwin has branded proposed legislation to allow crocodile culls and safari-style hunting trips as "dangerous" and a "recipe for disaster". The legislation put forward by Katter's Australian Party (KAP) proposes the creation of a Queensland Crocodile Authority, which would be charged with implementing "zero-tolerance zones" in populated areas, where all crocodiles would be culled or relocated to farms or sanctuaries. "These are man-eating killers," said KAP MP Shane Knuth, whose electorate of Hill takes in known crocodile country in Far North Queensland. But in a parliamentary submission, Terri Irwin described the population increase as "very modest" and said the KAP bill would "increase the likelihood of attacks" because so-called zero-tolerance zones would create a "false sense of security". "Research has consistently shown that when a crocodile dies or is removed, then another crocodile immediately comes in to take over that territory," the Australia Zoo director wrote. But Mr Knuth insists some recreational groups and farmers are worried and angry about the threat posed by crocodiles. "You could spearfish in the Tully River, you'd be ripped to pieces," he said. "The crocs are in their bore drains, they're in their farms, they're in their cane. "We want to get it back to what it was in the 1980s and 90s. It was a risk, but it was an acceptable risk." The KAP also wants Indigenous people to have the option to offer safari-style hunting trips to high paying clients. They describe this as a potential "economic benefit". Crocodiles were hunted to the brink of extinction in Queensland prior to the 1970s. Saltwater crocodiles are currently considered a threatened species and are protected. The Department of Environment estimates there are between 20,000 and 30,000 salt and freshwater crocodiles in Queensland waterways. They have been found as far south as the Boyne River in Gladstone, but are more common on Cape York, north of Cooktown. Speaking in Cairns at a public hearing into the legislation, traditional owners said crocodiles were spiritually and environmentally important. "Crocodiles are a part of us," Wanjuru man Dennis Ah-Kee said. "They help maintain the health of the waterways. Without crocodiles the waterways get sick and that's what we're trying to avoid". Kunggandiji man Warren Martens called for Indigenous people to have a greater say in crocodile management. "Indigenous people need to be involved in that process. At the moment we're left out of it," he said. "We have a great understanding of crocs and how they behave." In its submission to the parliamentary inquiry, the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association expressed concern for tourists snorkelling and swimming, saying any death or injury would "undermine the ongoing viability of marine tourism". But David White, who has run wildlife cruises on the Daintree river for 28 years, said there was a lot of "hysteria" around crocodiles and "fear leads to hate". He favours education over eradication. "I work with them, I love them, they're amazing creatures, but whether you like them or not, it's not the way to keep people safe, it just leads to complacency." Professor Craig Franklin, who has researched crocodiles for three decades, agrees. "Attacks on people are very rare," he said. "It's absolutely possible for crocodiles and humans to coexist, having a comprehensive education and awareness program. "An independent review in 2021 praised the success of the 'Crocwise' education program for its pivotal role in reducing human-crocodile conflicts."
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Dams, mini golf, water park: Buy a whole camp in Far North Qld
Can't afford a house? A camp as Aussie as a kangaroo on a trampoline has hit the market in Far North Queensland. Camp Paterson in Mareeba has been listed for sale by expressions of interest, and sits on 11.19ha of freehold land with a host of activities designed for school camps or corporate bonding retreats. Now, let's talk accommodation. We're not talking about your average swag here but rather platform safari-style cabin tents and separate digs for the teachers and supervisors. There is also a commercial kitchen for whipping up enough tucker to feed the grub to feed the ravenous ankle biters or a slap-up dinner for the more refined palettes of the corporate crowd. But the real ripper is the activities. With five dams on-site, there's more water-based fun than you can shake a didgeridoo at! From an inflatable water park course to swimming, canoeing, fishing, and even raft building, there is no shortage of activities away from the social media screens. Other activities could include orienteering, obstacle courses, damper making, survival shelter building, and mini golf. It's a fair dinkum playground where students can unleash their inner Crocodile Dundee and hone their skills. For those with a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, this is a golden opportunity to keep the good times rolling with a proven and well-regarded business. Listed with Colliers agent Stacey Quaid, expressions of interest close on July 8. 'Buyers have the unique opportunity to continue on operations as an educational and recreational school camp facility or use the substantial existing infrastructure to broaden the current business offerings,' the listing says.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Prisoner on the run after breaking out of Qld correctional facility in a tractor
A prisoner is on the run after a shock tractor escape from a correctional facility in Far North Queensland on Sunday morning. Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, is serving a six-year, three-month sentence for serious assault, motor vehicle offences, theft and burglary, and drugs and weapons offences, at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in Atherton. He escaped while working on the prison farm. Rennie was last seen driving a red Massey tractor with an attached bucket. Queensland Police Detective Inspector Jason Chetham told a press conference that it was understood Rennie escaped the facility using the tractor. '(Rennie) was last seen at about 10.20am yesterday (Sunday) morning and discovered missing in a headcount just before midday yesterday afternoon,' Inspector Chetham said on Monday. 'We believe he was conducting duties at the correctional centre using a red Massey tractor and that tractor is also unaccounted for, so we believe he may well have left the facility with that tractor.' The headcount was conducted at 11.55am, about an hour and a half after Rennie was last seen on the facility. Inspector Chetham has asked the public to contact the police if they have any information on his whereabouts. 'We don't have any specific concerns on what he might do in the community, not targeting anyone, but we're certainly asked people not to approach him and call us immediately if they have any information,' he said. 'He's from Far North Queensland, so he doesn't have to get far to see the family. so that's an angle we're running here. 'The Tablelands is an agricultural centre, so tractors on the road are something, I don't think, will turn a lot of heads, but we're keen to find it anyway'. The Lotus Glen Correctional Centre offers programs in the fields of both farming and industry to equip inmates with skills in preparation for their release. Police have warned the public to not approach Rennie if seen and to immediately contact authorities. Rennie is described having fair hair and complexion with blue eyes, with a light build standing at 174cm and weighing 56kg. He also has several body markings, including a gun tattoo on his left shoulder, a dragon and skull on his right shoulder, a screamer on his top shoulder blade, a clown with a gun on his left ribs, the letters 'SMP', a gargoyle, a demon holding a skull with horn and three names on his left arm, multiple dog bites and scars on his left arm, and on his right arm, a Celtic design, skull clown, full sleeve on his forearm and knuckle dusters. The lower half of his body includes a knee to ankle brick wall, panther, anarchy sign, skull, four headstones, clown face and eight ball on his left leg, a Celtic sleeve on his outside right calf, a star on his right foot, and a joker with crown on the side of his right knee. Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink through the online suspicious activity form, which operates 24 hours per day or call 131 444.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Police warns to public to not approach prisoner who escaped Queensland prison
A prisoner is on the run after a shock escape by tractor from a correctional facility in Far North Queensland. Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, is serving a six year, three month sentence for various offences including serious assault, motor vehicle offences, theft and burglary offences and drugs and weapons offences, at Low Custody Correctional Centre. He was conducting his work duties on a correctional farm on Sunday when he escaped. Rennie was last seen driving a Red Massey Tractor with an attached bucket. The correctional facility offers programs in the fields of both farming and industry, to equip inmates with skills in preparation for their release. The Queensland Police have warned the public to not approach him if seen and to immediately contact authorities. Rennie is described having fair hair and complexion with blue eyes, with a light build standing at 174cm and weighing 56kg. He also has a number of body markings, with the upper half as follows: a gun tattoo on his left shoulder, a dragon and skull on his right shoulder, with a screamer on his top shoulder blade, a clown with a gun on his left ribs, the letters 'SMP', a gargoyle, a demon holding a skull with horn and 3 names on his left arm, multiple dog bites and scars on his left arm, and on his right arm, a Celtic design, skull clown, full sleeve on forearm and knuckle dusters. The lower half of his body includes a knee to ankle brick wall, panther, anarchy sign, skull, 4 headstones, clown face and 8 ball on his left leg, a Celtic sleeve on his outside right calf, a star on his right foot, and a joker with crown on the side of his right knee.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Australian growers aim for 'specialty coffee' status as price of international beans rises
In homes and cafes around the country, millions of Australians start their day with the same morning ritual: a strong cup of coffee. Over the decades, the culture has shifted towards quality and specialty blends. But still only a tiny fraction of the six billion cups of coffee Australians consume each year is produced at home. Growers believe that can change. "Australia — and tropical north Queensland specifically — has a lot of the variables needed to grow great coffee," Queensland coffee farmer Jemal Murat said. "I think the market has a curiosity about what we're doing now, and they can taste it. "The proof is in the pudding." Far North Queensland accounts for 85 per cent of Australia's coffee production. Mr Murat's 70-hectare Arabica coffee farm is in Mareeba, in the Tablelands region. The Tablelands produces about 800 tonnes of coffee beans a year. To put it in perspective, Brazil — the world's largest coffee-producing nation — grows almost four million tonnes of beans annually. "We're not getting ahead of ourselves. The scale of our production is tiny compared to the level of imports Australia receives," Mr Murat said. The Tablelands grower is working with Griffith University's School of Environment and Science to elevate Australia's domestic coffee industry. Researcher Dr Fawad Ali believes Queensland could become as renowned for its coffee as southern Australia is for its wine. "We need to upgrade the coffee industry to the level of the wine industry, where flavours can play a significant role in broadening the market for Queensland-produced coffee," he said. The project helps local producers improve bean quality to achieve "specialty coffee" status, a shift that could dramatically increase the value of their crop. Although much of northern Australia is within the global "coffee belt" — between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn — the Tablelands has the rich soil, elevation, and reliable rainfall that's ideal for growing coffee. Dr Ali is developing new coffee varieties tailored specifically for this region. He's also looking for less resource intensive ways to grow coffee and enhance its flavour. "We're seeing a serious impact from climate change on major coffee-producing regions around the world, including Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and Vietnam," he said. As coffee prices rise, Dr Ali believes improving domestic production could make Australian-grown beans more competitive — especially in the specialty market. Rod Greenfield is the CEO of a Melbourne specialty coffee roaster that supplies beans to hundreds of cafes around the country. All their beans come from overseas, but Mr Greenfield can see that changing. "We've been interested in Australian coffee for a long time," he said. "I did my first trip to a coffee farm in northern Queensland over a decade ago … realistically, the coffee wasn't specialty enough at that point." Mr Greenfield's company has been working closely with growers in the project to improve the flavour of their beans. In March, they showcased a small selection from the Tablelands at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo. "They blew people away with the flavour of coffee that's now able to be produced in Australia," Mr Greenfield said. "At that show, we were voted Australia's favourite coffee roaster … and I'm pretty sure that the Australian coffee we showcased had something to do with that."
