LOCKHART River residents are warned to be wary of crocodiles after a large croc haunting a local boat ramp was spotted by a policeman.

A 4m saltwater crocodile was reported to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service after it was observed close to shore at Quintel Beach, late at night two weeks ago. Rangers attempted a search but were unable to find it.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management, however, asked Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council to clean up fish scraps and waste from the ramp to prevent crocodiles from being attracted to the area.

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Lockhart River Police Station officer in charge Sgt Matt Cooper reported the croc sighting after a late night visit to the boat ramp.

"There's always the odd one or two croc sitting down there, but they’re small 1.5m to 2m crocs who sit 50 to 60m offshore," he said.

"They never come in and bother you. But it’s unusual for ones this big to be this close. It was probably just cruising by, having a look and then kept on going."

Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Peter Opio-Otim said the council might look at erecting more warning signs.

"We have a lot of younger and older people who go down to the beach to do some fishing, because of the ramp there," Mr Opio-Otim said.

Crocodile sightings can be reported to the Department of Environment and Resource Management on 13 74 68. Sightings reported to DERM are listed on the Crocwatch page at www.derm.qld.gov.au

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