Toad Media
ABC National Rural News
Cane toad threat in WA could cost $5m
Monday, 21/03/2005
At least $5 million needs to be spent to keep cane toads out of
Western Australia.
That is the recommendation made by those attending a weekend forum
in Kununurra to discuss the toad problem.
More than a dozen scientists took part, along with writer Tim Winton
and crocodile farmer Malcolm Douglas.
Dr Andrew Storey says another forum will soon be held in Perth
to raise the profile of the toad threat.
“Currently we have $600,000 made available by the (WA) State
Government and that will be matched by another $600,000 by the Federal
Government, so $1.2 million (all up),” he said.
“A figure of $5.5 million was put up that the (WA) State
Government put towards controlling fire ants in Queensland.
“So here we are, our Government giving money to Queensland
to stop their issue. Why can't that same value be put on stopping
cane toads where we have identified a real threat to our fauna.”
This is a transcript from the ABC National Rural News that is
broadcast daily to all states on ABC Regional Radio's Country Hour
and in the city on ABC News Radio.
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