Mr KIELY - 2005-11-30
During the election, you announced the subsidy for cane toad traps. Could you please update the House on the status of our cane toad management techniques?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. Unfortunately, cane toads are expected, with the Wet Season encroaching on us, to reach Darwin in significant numbers by the end of this Wet Season. As part of our commitment to the whole environment program and to looking at the issue of cane toads, I was pleased to recently launched the Cane Toad Trap Rebate. The government is providing a $30 rebate for each approved trap purchased up to the total value of $100 000 over the next two years. Based on current trap prices, this rebate is between 20% and 45% of the cost of the most common of the approved trap designs, making the traps significantly more affordable for everyone.
We know that these traps certainly will not eradicate cane toads, but they will help in the reduction of the numbers locally, and allow our native wildlife to thrive.
The traps can be purchased at various locations across the Top End, such as pet shops and hardware stores, and FrogWatch is also selling their traps. People are starting to apply for the rebate, and I am sure the numbers will increase as the Wet Season develops and the toads advance.
As I said, Christmas is looming and, if we are looking at a gift for a family or a friend - something different - then what a great gift. Why not buy your friends or family a trap? There, that is promoting the cane toad trap.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. Unfortunately, cane toads are expected, with the Wet Season encroaching on us, to reach Darwin in significant numbers by the end of this Wet Season. As part of our commitment to the whole environment program and to looking at the issue of cane toads, I was pleased to recently launched the Cane Toad Trap Rebate. The government is providing a $30 rebate for each approved trap purchased up to the total value of $100 000 over the next two years. Based on current trap prices, this rebate is between 20% and 45% of the cost of the most common of the approved trap designs, making the traps significantly more affordable for everyone.
We know that these traps certainly will not eradicate cane toads, but they will help in the reduction of the numbers locally, and allow our native wildlife to thrive.
The traps can be purchased at various locations across the Top End, such as pet shops and hardware stores, and FrogWatch is also selling their traps. People are starting to apply for the rebate, and I am sure the numbers will increase as the Wet Season develops and the toads advance.
As I said, Christmas is looming and, if we are looking at a gift for a family or a friend - something different - then what a great gift. Why not buy your friends or family a trap? There, that is promoting the cane toad trap.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016