Toad busters help control more than 200,000 cane toads this season

Published on 29 April 2025

Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, is applauding Council’s 2025 Cane Toad Busting program which removed 6385 toads and tadpoles from our local environment, contributing to control of more than 200,000 cane toads this season.

“A huge thanks to the 133 community members who stepped up and got involved in this year’s online Toad Bust program for the Byron Shire,” the Mayor said.

Council’s Cane Toad Busting program offered an information session followed by a community toad bust event and a demonstration of the cane toad tadpole trap at Ocean Shores, plus the four-day Toad Bust Challenge.

“Special thanks also go to our community freezer hosts Jude Alcorn and John Purssey and to all environmental champions who rolled up their sleeves to get the job done on Cane Toad Bust night in January and throughout the challenge.”

“This is such important environmental work and the best thing about Council’s Cane Toad Busting program is that it educates and empowers participants of all ages to continue their cane toad busting efforts,” the Mayor said.

“At the end of January, one community member had collected more than 13,000 tadpoles, while another reported control of more than 1,400 adult cane toads over the 24/25 season.

“Imagine the difference we could make if we doubled or tripled participation in next year’s Program!” the Mayor said.

Consistent toad busting is key to reducing local populations and has the potential to reduce 28-47% of local populations, greatly reducing harm to local native animals.

Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are an invasive species in Australia that impact our wildlife, domestic pets and eat beneficial insects, which can impact local agriculture and ecosystems.

For more information and to get involved go to Council’s website.

 For media enquiries call the Media and Comms team on 02 6626 7320.