You are obviously a good man for having done what you did. Take heart from that.
I am absolutely appalled at the apathy shown by both organisations. It makes you wonder whether they are in for the animals or simply the power.
I would have been tried to contact the RSPCA first and get them out there before touching anything. I know that may seem a bit harsh, but it allows for a full prosecution of the person responsible. It should be up to the RSPCA to involve DERM. Failing a positive local response from the RSPCA, I would have rung their head office for the state. If they weren’t prepared to act immediately, I would have threatened to get the local paper down there with a title on the news item something like “RSPCA don’t care” and I would also have threatened to pursue one the TV news programs. All of which is academic now.
In your shoes, I would write to the state headquarters of the RSPCA telling them pretty much what you told us (plus who you spoke to or at least the phone number, date and approximate time of day) and include a printout of some of the photos. Express you concern and disgust at the lack of response on the local level and cc a copy of the letter to your local member, explaining it just isn’t good enough for locals living in Townsville. This organisation exists to service the community and the name is supposedly self-explanatory.
I would do a similar thing with DERM for their tardiness in acting. Also explain that you simply do not have the time or monetary resources to take on the “voluntary” care of 46 pythons and it is highly unreasonable of them to ask you to do so simply because you have the expertise and have demonstrate a genuine concern for the animals. In other words, taking advantage of you. Be prepared for their possible response that the alternative may be euthanasia. There may be no other practical alternative. I have no idea how DERM operates unfortunately.
In fact – draft both letters and send them to your local member first, explaining what you intend to do. Ask if he/she can suggest a better strategy before you send off the letters, so your local community is better serviced by these two institutions in the future. He/she may want to take it up in parliament.
The only other advice I can offer is, hard as it may seem, try not to do too much more in order to force the appropriate authorities to get off their butts and earn the wages the paid by doing what they are supposed to do.
I don’t envy you. Top effort! Good luck with resolving and I hope it can be done quickly, for your sake.
Blue