BROOME, Australia — Rio Tinto and the Rhodes Ridge Joint Venture1 are jointly investing A$28 million in a partnership with Curtin University to help deliver a 7,500-square-kilometre “waterless barrier” to stop cane toads reaching the Pilbara region in Western Australia.
The funding, to be provided over five years, will support infrastructure upgrades required to implement a new Toad Containment Zone (TCZ) between the Indian Ocean and the Great Sandy Desert just south of Broome.
The TCZ will upgrade pastoral water infrastructure to stop cane toads moving south and invading the Pilbara – one of Australia’s 15 recognised biodiversity areas and a globally significant bioregion.
Early works are now underway to support the start of the project in 2027.
Curtin University Professor Ben Phillips said: “Cane toads are on track to reach the Pilbara within two decades – unless we act now. The Toad Containment Zone is a once in a lifetime opportunity to stop one of the world’s worst invasive species in its tracks and protect the region’s unique wildlife.
“This project builds on decades of work from scientists around the country and is a genuine collaboration between Indigenous landowners, pastoral landholders, government and industry. It is a nationally significant conservation effort that safeguards biodiversity and cultural heritage across millions of hectares of the Australian continent.”
Nyangumarta ranger and Traditional Owner Roberta Hunter said: “Cane toads destroy the water and animals. When toads come close to our Country, we want to be there to stop them because we don’t want the Country to be destroyed.”
Western Australia’s Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said: “Keeping cane toads out of the Pilbara would be a major win for Western Australia’s native wildlife.
“This plan has brought together industry and science to promote an innovative approach that could help slow their spread and protect some of our State’s most valuable ecosystems. It’s a great example of how partnerships can be harnessed to tackle complex environmental challenges.”
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Managing Director, Pilbara Rail, Port and Services, Chris Osborn said: “Cane toads produce toxins that can be lethal to native wildlife, posing a significant threat to the Pilbara’s ecosystems. If cane toads reach the Pilbara, an estimated 25 native species could be significantly impacted, including the northern quoll and ghost bat.
“Through our environment strategy we are working to protect the Pilbara’s unique biodiversity. We are pleased to be partnering with Curtin University to establish the Toad Containment Zone to help protect around 27 million hectares of sensitive habitat from the spread of cane toads.”
Research shows cane toads need water every few days to survive the dry season and, where natural water sources are scarce, they often rely on artificial water points used for cattle and irrigation to survive.
With support from Deakin University, Traditional Owners and pastoralists, the Toad Containment Zone will involve modifying or containing 685 infrastructure items across six pastoral stations to create the “dry corridor” that toads will be unable to pass to reach the Pilbara.
The Toad Containment Zone is being supported by the Rhodes Ridge Joint Venture partners who see this project as being critical to protecting the Pilbara’s unique biodiversity.
1. Rio Tinto and the Rhodes Ridge Joint Venture are funding the Toad Containment Zone in equal partnership. The Rhodes Ridge Joint Venture partners are Rio Tinto (50%), Mitsui (40%) and AMB Holdings (10%). Mitsui holds its 40% interest through an entity named SPC Blue Pty Ltd and AMB holds its 10% interest through Rhodes Ridge Mining (No 1) Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd, that is managed and controlled by AMB.
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