VERMIN Tannery is an innovative Australian enterprise focused on transforming the environmental challenge of invasive cane toads into a sustainable economic opportunity through the development of cane toad leather and commercial byproducts.

Cane toads are a significant invasive species across Northern Australia, impacting native wildlife and ecosystems. VERMIN Tannery aims to develop a commercially viable model that supports responsible cane toad management while creating new economic opportunities through leather production, product development, manufacturing, training and employment.

Co-founded by Lia Tabrah and Perina Drummond, the business will establish a regional circular-economy model where a pest species is transformed into a valuable material, creating opportunities for local communities while contributing to environmental protection.

We envision a future where cane toads are no longer viewed solely as an environmental problem, but as a catalyst for innovation, employment, sustainable manufacturing and regional enterprise.

VERMIN Tannery is currently participating in the Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) Program, a Queensland Government funded and CSIRO delivered initiative that connects SMEs with regional university researchers to drive innovation and solve real-world industry challenges.

 Through this program, we have partnered with the University of the Sunshine Coast to explore the use of natural, eco-friendly tanning methods to produce ethical leather while advancing environmental conservation, optimising tanning techniques for durable, high-end fashion materials.

Our cane toad leather has already been embraced by leading Australian designers and artists, with our work featured at MONA’s Eat the Problem (Hobart), NGV Melbourne Design Week (Melbourne), Melbourne Fashion Week (Melbourne), Bendigo Art Gallery (Bendigo) and 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art (Sydney). VERMIN has also received national media coverage, including features in The Guardian, ABC News and Cape & Torres News, along with interviews on ABC Radio Far North, ABC Radio Darwin and ABC Radio Perth.