Sessional Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development Written Submissions Received Volume 2 Issues associated with the progressive entry into the Northern Territory of Cane Toads October 2003
Tabled Paper 1123
Tabled Papers for 9th Assembly 2001 - 2005; Tabled papers for 9th Assembly 2001 - 2005; Tabled Papers; ParliamentNT
2003-10-16
Tabled by Delia Lawrie
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https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/307061
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/346011
Written Submissions Tiwi Land Council Part II Volume 2 Cane Toad Inquiry Report 179 SUBMISSION NO. 25B Tiwi Land Council, Ms Kate Hadden Environment and Heritage Officer CANE TOAD PUBLIC AWARENESS ACTIVITIES TIWI ISLANDS The Tiwi Land Council is developing a training package consisting of a videotape by Professor Tyler, a CD and audio cassette titled Frog Calls of the NT, various pamphlets and fact sheets on cane toads, and stuffed specimens. Tiwi land Council staff will deliver the package, and training will be ongoing through schools, mens centres, womens centres and environmental health workers. Training will also extend to mainland partners such as Tiwi Barge Services. There is a high degree of literacy among the Tiwi people, and some knowledge of the toad problem on the mainland already existed through reading the NT News and watching TV. To augment this, and to develop awareness of the specific threat to the Islands, the Tiwi Land Council placed articles in the local media (Tiwi Times) during the first half of 2001. These articles were entitled The Cane Toad Story, and were printed over a number of issues as a series. Articles concentrated on what cane toads were, their history, why they are a problem, how to identify them and what could be done. They also highlighted the similarities and differences between cane toads and native frog species. These articles will be repeated once cane toads reach Darwin. After publication of The Cane Toad Story the toad became a regular topic of conversation among the Tiwi, adults and children alike. Land Council staff and government visitors to the Island communities were frequently queried on where the cane toads were now, and how they could help stop their arrival on the Islands. A metal sign was also developed with the Parks and Wildlife Commission and donated to the Tiwi land Council. Signs showed a picture of a cane toad, and a message to keep them off Islands. Signs are prominently displayed at all barge landings, airstrips and approved fishing/camping spots on both islands. A Tiwi cane toad poster in traditional art style is being produced by local artists, and will be printed and widely distributed before October 2003. The Parks and Wildlife Commission carried out a Junior Ranger camp on Melville Island which included cane toad activities, and Coastcare carried out cane toad activities with schools as part of their environmental education programmes. These activities will be ongoing. Public awareness has also been a focus on the mainland, where much of the Islands goods are sourced. Shipping companies, airlines, businesses, contractors, recreational organisations, basically anyone travelling or shipping goods and equipment to the Islands must know about the environmental dangers of cane toads and their responsibilities in stopping their migration. The risk of cane toads reaching the Islands provided the catalyst for developing and distributing generic quarantine brochures and bookmarks. These have been distributed to tourist organisations, tackle shops, fishing associations, barge and airline charter