The Yamba branch of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has elected to sponsor the cane toad eradication program conducted by the Angourie Resident and Ratepayers Association (ARRA).

Sponsorship of $500.00 has been given to support ARRA’s programme through the 2023/24 cane toad season.

Kara Smiles, Manager of CBA Yamba said, “CBA recognises and values the efforts of all community volunteers in the Clarence Valley, and this year sponsorship has gone to ARRA in recognition of the volunteers’ efforts, and also the benefit to our environment.” ARRA conducts cane toad removal in an area covering Micalo Island, Angourie, Mara Creek and multiple locations in Yamba.

President of ARRA, Grant Jennings, said the support from the CBA and other sponsors will cover the annual operating costs and provide equipment for use by our volunteers. Our members do not receive payment for their work, so it is good to be able to provide the equipment they need. Our volunteers work mostly at night and our volunteer hours average 500 each season.

The following statistics were provided by ARRA:

• Captures this year included 2,018 cane toads and 13,817 tadpoles/metamorphs.
• Captures the previous year were 9,444 toads and 2,530 tadpoles/metamorphs.
• The reduced numbers this year reflect a cooler drier summer, and the cumulative effect of toad removal over time.
• One female toad can lay up to 30,000 eggs at a time.