An unwanted Queenslander has been found in the backyard of an observant Summerland Point resident.

It was the dreaded Cane Toad.

Cane Toads are an introduced invasive species, mainly found in Queensland and northern NSW.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, praised the quick thinking resident for contacting Council.

“We rely on the Central Coast community to be our eyes and ears in their local area for things like this,” Mr Reynolds said.

“It’s important our community let us know what they see - be it a pot-hole, a broken water main or a Cane Toad well out of its normal range – so we can respond quickly.

“Our staff will now conduct a survey, with the help of specialists from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, for any further signs of Cane Toads in the area.”

Council is also working with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to make further investigations on how the Cane Toad came to the Coast.

NSW DPI’s Technical Specialist of Vertebrate Pests, Mr Nathan Cutter, said as a result of the detection at Summerland Point, DPI has issued an alert for residents to be aware of Cane Toads in the area.

“It is not known how the pest animal arrived on the Central Coast, however they can be accidently transported on vehicles, as well as in goods and materials like landscaping supplies,” Mr Cutter said.

“Cane Toads are a major threat to our native animals because they can consume large numbers of wildlife and poison many native animals whose diet includes frogs, tadpoles and frogs' eggs. Cane Toads can also poison pets and injure humans with their toxin.

“If you see an animal you suspect is a Cane Toad, you should use rubber gloves whilst handling the animal and take it to your vet for identification.”

Often mistaken as native brown frogs, Cane Toads have distinct features such as a pointed snout with a bony ridge from above the eye to the nose, parotid glands which look like large sacks on each shoulder and rough, dry and warty skin.  Colouration varies from grey, olive and brown to red-brown and their bellies are pale with dark mottling.

Adult cane toads are usually very large – around 9 to 15cm long.

Residents of Summerland Point and surrounds are encouraged to report any sightings of Cane Toads to Council for formal identification to be arranged and are asked not to kill the animal in case it’s a native frog.