By Adam Coleman

The WA Government has announced a range of measures to fight an advancing cane toad front that is now only 10 kilometres from the WA border.

While announcing the initiatives, WA Environment Minister Donna Faragher stressed the seriousness of the threat.

“Our State has been under threat from cane toads for a number of years now, and the Liberal-National Government has come in at a time when the threat is becoming critical,” Mrs Faragher said.

While the DEC is in the final stages of developing a draft State Cane Toad Strategy, the Minister outlined several immediate actions including:

•   updated community information on the safe handling of toads, protecting pets and children, ‘toad-proofing’ backyards, the correct identification of toads and euthanasia and disposal methods

•   distribution of information to local residents, industry groups and travellers

•   new ‘toad-busting’ kits to Kimberley residents

•   an information package for indigenous communities

•   creation of a database to record cane toad removal and sightings

•   establishing cane toad identification, euthanasia and disposal points.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), Stop the Toad Foundation, the Kimberley Toad Busters and other community groups have removed almost half a million cane toads from Northern Territory areas close to the State border over the past few years.