12 Australia is once again gearing up for the Great Cane Toad Bust, a nation-wide event running from 18th January - 26th January 2025, where communities across the country unite to capture and remove as many cane toads as possible. Hosted annually by Watergum Community as Australia’s only largescale cane toad bust, this year’s event highlights the organisation’s world-first Cane Toad Tadpole Trap and Lures, as featured on Gardening Australia, to break the toad’s breeding cycle. Since their introduction to Australia in 1935 as a humble 102 toads to control cane beetles, cane toads have become one of the country’s most invasive species, now numbering more than 200 million. These destructive cane toads pose a significant threat to our native wildlife, pets and even mining and agricultural industries. Kelsi Taylor, Watergum’s Invasive Species Manager, says community intervention has become crucial in curbing continued prolific growth of these invasive breeders. “Cane toads can produce more than 35 times more eggs than our native green tree frogs, with a single female cane toad producing up to 70,000 eggs per year,” Miss Taylor said. “Consistent toad busting is key to reducing local populations, and by engaging the Australian community, we can expand our reach,” she said. Getting involved in the Great Cane Toad Bust is easy, all you need are rubber gloves, a bucket and a torch to head into your gardens or local areas and start hunting for toads. Watergum also encourages locals to trap tadpoles by day to boost impact and break the cane toad breeding cycle. Past participants have praised the event for transforming their local areas. “I was amazed how quickly cane toad numbers dropped after my local busting event! It felt impactful knowing that my kids and I played a role and gave us a sense of accomplishment,” one participant said. “By removing more than 4,000 toads, I have seen a lot more native frogs in my nursery areas which has been wonderful,” another local buster said. Miss Taylor acknowledged that many people may be hesitant to try toad busting at first but encouraged families to get involved. "It is a fantastic and rewarding activity for the whole family,” she said. “A single toad bust has been shown to remove up to 47% of a local population in one night. “The more people who get involved, the greater our impact will be.” Watergum Community emphasises it is vital to practice humane RSPCA-approved stepped hypothermia to euthanise Cane Toads, remembering their presence in Australia was due to human intervention. How to get involved Join us for the Great Cane Toad Bust! The main event runs from January 18th to 26th 2025, but your impact can begin immediately. With great prizes up for grabs for the biggest catch, best team name and more, now’s the time to register! Access an informative ID guide and humane euthanasia instructions on the Great Cane Toad Bust website. www. watergum.org/greatcanetoadbust A rallying call as Australia’s Greatest Cane Toad Bust returns This will be the first significant change to bin collection schedules in 20 years. Substantial growth and changes to our city and road networks means it's essential to adjust our truck routes and schedules. These changes will benefit our community by: • Helping maintain reliable and efficient bin collection services. • Contributing to reducing traffic congestion and improving the city's amenity. • Enhancing traffic, pedestrian, and truck driver safety. Stay ahead of the change by checking what your new schedule will be from March 2025 cityofgoldcoast.com.au/mybinday Residential bin days and times are changing in March 2025! 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