Rio Tinto and its Rhodes Ridge joint-venture have pledged A$28 million for a five-year project to stop invasive cane toads from entering Western Australia's Pilbara region. The partnership will fund the Pilbara Toad Containment Project equally, with each contributor providing A$14 million. The venture includes Rio Tinto, Mitsui, and AMB Holdings, which hold 50%, 40%, and 10% stakes, respectively.
The project aims to create a 7,500-square-kilometer "waterless barrier" by modifying or removing artificial water points on six pastoral stations. This barrier will stretch from the Indian Ocean to the Great Sandy Desert, south of Broome. A total of 685 water-related infrastructure items, including dams, troughs, and tanks, will be altered to reduce water availability for cane toads during dry periods.
Early works on the project began in November 2026, with the main implementation phase scheduled to start in 2027. Monitoring will then assess the barrier's effectiveness and guide any needed adjustments. The project is designed to protect the Pilbara's unique biodiversity, including species such as the northern quoll and ghost bat, which could be threatened if cane toads reach the area.
The initiative involves collaboration between landholders, Traditional Owners, environmental researchers, government agencies, and infrastructure specialists. This ensures that water modifications meet pastoral needs while limiting toad survival. The project builds on earlier Western Australian government-funded research, including a A$340,000 grant in 2024 for exploratory work.
A workshop was held in 2025 to examine containment strategies. The Pilbara Toad Containment Project is a significant effort to protect the region's biodiversity. Cane toads are an invasive species that can harm native wildlife.
Rio Tinto and its partners are working with Curtin University to implement the project. The project's success will depend on effective collaboration and monitoring. The A$28 million investment is a substantial commitment to preserving the Pilbara region's unique ecosystem.
The project's outcome will be closely watched by environmental groups and government agencies. The Pilbara region is home to many unique and threatened species. The project's success could serve as a model for similar initiatives in other regions.
Key points
- Rio Tinto and its Rhodes Ridge joint-venture will spend A$28 million over five years to modify water infrastructure across 7,500 km² of northern Western Australia.
- The project aims to protect the Pilbara's unique biodiversity, including species such as the northern quoll and ghost bat.
- The initiative involves collaboration between landholders, Traditional Owners, environmental researchers, government agencies, and infrastructure specialists.
