Line drawn in sand for toad war

Researchers hope to stop the cane toad invasion in Western Australia with a scheme to deprive the pests of water.

Research shows if pastoral bores were made toad-proof along a part of the coast, toads could not survive long enough to pass further south.

A waterless “toad line” in arid country where the Great Sandy Desert meets the Indian Ocean in Western Australia was the best option to stop a threatened ­invasion of cane toads from reaching the Pilbara and marching on to Perth.

A group of scientists, traditional owners and conservation groups has identified the choke point near 80 Mile Beach, south of Broome, as the ideal place to halt the invasive pests that have caused ecological havoc across the Top End.

A proposal to starve the toads of water will be detailed at a federal Senate inquiry hearing today.

The plan is based on more than 10 years of research on toads that investigates how they move, and how important water is to their survival.

Researchers claim the 80 Mile Beach choke point is the only ready-made piece of geography where it is possible to hold the line on further invasion by cane toads on the coast of Western Australia.

Toads will not be able to cross the Great Sandy Desert except along the coastal strip in this district, where a narrow line of cattle stations maintain artificial water points for stock.

Research shows if pastoral bores were made toad-proof along a part of the coast, toads could not survive long enough to pass further south.

“Toads need water to survive, and along the Great Sandy Desert in the dry season the only water is in pastoral bores,” said University of Melbourne toad researcher Ben Phillips.

“For a relatively minor investment, these can be made toad-proof to create a dry region that would stop the toad invasion,” Dr Phillips said.

Nyaparu Rose, Nyangumarta traditional owner and chief executive of the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation said local indigenous groups were keen to be involved in the project.

Nyangumarta and Karajarri Prescribed Body Corporates ­represent the local Aboriginal people. Both manage active indigenous ranger programs and manage their own indigenous protected areas, which include Eighty Mile Beach and the Wal­yarta Conservation Reserve.

Pew Charitable Trusts state manager Tim Nicol said cane toads were only half way through their spread across the Kimberley but already had had a major impact on native wildlife.

“If toads reach the Pilbara, there will be no way to stop them from invading coastal areas like Ningaloo, the Coral Coast and perhaps even Perth and the southwest,” Mr Nicol said.

“This proposal could be a win for pastoralists, for traditional owners, and a massive win for the environment.”

The choke point has large areas with no rivers or natural permanent waterholes.

Research has found that toads will die there in the winter dry season unless they can find shelter around artificial water points, such as ground-level stock troughs.

The proposal would involve managing surface water over a distance of about 70km.