FEBRUARY 4, 2016: There is an obvious need for a carefully managed cull of crocodiles in populated areas in our region following the removal of a 4.7 metre saltwater crocodile from The Strand at Townsville last night.We need to ensure the areas where children swim and play, like the very popular Strand, are safe as we don’t want to see a tragedy unfold because we are too lax on this issue.This needs to be done in a strictly managed fashion and I am calling on the State Government to implement a legal crocodile cull as soon as possible.The most important thing here is community safety, but there could be other benefits for the region from such a cull.A strictly managed cull could create some jobs for indigenous people with the relevant skills, both in undertaking the cull and in processing carcasses into leather and meat products.The relevant State Government authorities would need to manage any culling after carefully looking at the numbers for our crocodile populations and determining what would be appropriate.We are seeing an increase in croc sightings in populated areas, people are concerned, and those concerns are legitimate.