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Bathurst Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis mccartneyi)

The Bathurst grassland earless dragon is a small, critically endangered lizard found only in native grasslands on the plains around Bathurst, New South Wales. It may shelter in spider burrows and beneath rocks or tussocks, so clearing, earthworks, grazing changes and machinery activity can damage habitat or harm animals, and any possible sighting should be treated as a significant conservation matter.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

The Bathurst grassland earless dragon has a poorly documented breeding cycle. Breeding activity is reported from November to March, with egg laying in late spring to early summer and hatching in late summer to early autumn. Treat these periods as a planning guide because timing may vary between years and sites.

Breeding mode: Oviparous. Females lay eggs.

Clutch size: Usually 3 to 6 eggs in related grassland earless dragons. A captive Bathurst grassland earless dragon produced a clutch of 2 eggs.

Egg laying: Late spring to early summer, based mainly on related grassland earless dragons.

Incubation: 9 to 12 weeks, based mainly on related grassland earless dragons.

Hatching: Late summer to early autumn, based mainly on related grassland earless dragons.

Nest site: Shallow nests are used by related grassland earless dragons. Bathurst grassland earless dragon nest sites are not recorded.

Maturity and breeding frequency: Young probably reach adult size by late autumn to early winter. Males mature earlier than females. Breeding frequency is not recorded.

Breeding timing may shift between years and regions, and any rediscovered population should be managed conservatively until local timing is confirmed.

  • Breeding and mating activity: Breeding activity is reported from November to March, but the precise timing of mating is poorly known.
  • Egg laying: Egg laying is expected in late spring to early summer, based on related grassland earless dragons.
  • Egg incubation and hatching: Eggs may be present for 9 to 12 weeks, with hatching expected from late summer to early autumn.
  • Young and early dispersal: Young probably disperse soon after hatching and grow towards adult size by late autumn to early winter.
  • Sheltering and overwintering: Individuals may use spider burrows for shelter and overwintering, as observed or inferred for grassland earless dragons.
  • Highest clearing risk: Plan the strongest controls for November to March, when breeding activity and eggs or young may be present, with some residual risk into April.

Identification: Appearance

The Bathurst grassland earless dragon is a small, squat agamid with a cryptic brown-grey pattern. Identification should be confirmed by an experienced herpetologist, because it resembles other grassland earless dragons and historical New South Wales records were previously assigned to other species.

Look for a small lizard with a short, rounded body and a hidden outer ear. The eardrum is covered by scales, so there is no obvious external ear opening.

The back is brown-grey to red-brown, with five pale, straight-edged stripes and about six dark transverse bands. The stripes continue weakly onto the tail and outline 12 to 14 dark tail blotches.

Other useful features include a contrasting pale bar above the eye, a whitish belly, dark speckling on the throat and sides of the belly, keeled throat scales and enlarged, scattered scales on the thighs.

Total length: About 13 cm, with published descriptions recording up to 15 to 16 cm

Snout to vent length: 51 to 53 mm in the two known specimens

  • The dorsal scales are large, round and keeled, with the keels directed more backwards than upwards.
  • The species has a well-developed lateral neck fold with spines.
  • There are no femoral pores and two preanal pores in the described specimens.

Identification: Calls and similar species

No reliable call or acoustic detection method is available for this species. Do not rely on calls to clear an area or to confirm absence.

The closest field comparison is with other grassland earless dragons, including the Canberra and Monaro grassland earless dragons. Bathurst animals differ from some related species by their enlarged thigh scales and keeled throat scales.

  • Photograph the animal from above and from the side if it can be done without handling.
  • Record the exact location, habitat condition and nearby shelter features.
  • Seek expert confirmation before releasing a suspected animal or making a clearance decision.

Identification: Field signs

There are no dependable species-specific droppings, nests, odours, stains or whitewash signs described for field use. A lack of visible signs does not demonstrate that suitable habitat is unoccupied.

Useful indirect signs include wolf spider burrows, other spider burrows, rocks, cracks in the soil and open spaces between native tussocks. These indicate potential habitat, not confirmed presence.

  • Treat a live lizard sighting, photograph or credible observation as significant.
  • Avoid excavating burrows or lifting rocks during a search unless this is covered by an approved survey and handling procedure.
  • Do not use burrow absence as evidence that the species is absent.

Distribution: Australian range

The Bathurst grassland earless dragon is endemic to Australia and has only been recorded in New South Wales. Its known range is extremely restricted, while modelled potential habitat extends more broadly across remnant grasslands in the Central Tablelands.

The species is known from the plains around Bathurst in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Records occur east, west and south of Bathurst township, including around Mount Panorama.

Potential habitat may extend around Bathurst, Orange, Blayney and south towards Cowra. Survey priorities also include the Oberon area and suitable remnant grasslands in the surrounding region.

State distribution: New South Wales only

Historical extent of occurrence: About 4 km²

Historical area of occupancy: About 4 km², based on 2 by 2 km grid cells

Known locations: One assessment location, with all three formal records within 1 km

  • Private grazing properties
  • Travelling Stock Reserves and Travelling Stock Routes
  • Roadside and railway verges
  • Railway land, airport land and Defence land where suitable grassland remains

Distribution: Current distribution and survey context

The species has not been confirmed since 1996. A targeted search in 2019 did not locate it, and no known extant population was identified in 2023.

Potential distribution mapping is indicative only. A development site outside the historical records may still contain suitable habitat, particularly where native tussock grassland and shelter features remain.

  • Check current threatened species and planning databases before works commence.
  • Use local naturalist knowledge and landholder records to identify old sightings and overlooked grassland patches.
  • Report any suspected record promptly to the relevant New South Wales threatened species program or fauna ecologist.

Habitat: Vegetation and landform

Search for the species in naturally treeless or sparsely treed native tussock grasslands on alluvial plains and broad open valleys. Small, degraded or isolated patches may still be relevant, especially where soils are undisturbed and shelter and prey habitat remain.

Suitable habitat is associated with native temperate grassland on granite and basalt derived alluvial plains and rises. The vegetation is generally treeless or has few woody plants, with native tussock grasses and forbs such as peas and orchids.

Remnant habitat may occur on lower slopes of broad open valleys and in small patches within otherwise modified agricultural landscapes. The Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands ecological community occurs in the broader region and is also critically endangered.

  • Native tussock grassland with open ground between tussocks
  • Grassland with a mixture of native grasses and forbs
  • Undisturbed or lightly disturbed soil
  • Patches that retain or could restore burrow-forming invertebrates and native insect prey

Habitat: Modified and linear habitat

Potential habitat can persist in low-diversity pastures and other grasslands affected by grazing, weeds or fertiliser, provided suitable structure and shelter remain. Historical records include railway tracks with weedy Paspalum thickets and vacant paddocks with tall pasture grass.

Inspect habitat beyond formal reserves. Road and rail verges, Travelling Stock Reserves, private paddocks and other small remnants can be relevant where native tussocks, open areas and burrows occur.

  • Map all native or potentially restorable grassland before clearing.
  • Retain connected patches where practicable.
  • Include isolated remnants in the ecological assessment rather than screening them out because they are small or degraded.

Habitat: Site assessment

Before ground disturbance, walk the proposed clearing footprint and nearby retained land with a qualified ecologist. Record grass height and density, native plant cover, bare ground, rocks, soil cracks, spider burrows, weeds, ploughing and grazing history.

Habitat quality is not defined by grass cover alone. Very low cover can remove shelter, while dense or rank cover can reduce basking and movement opportunities.

  • Mark potential habitat and all burrows or shelter features on site plans.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, access tracks and laydown areas out of retained grassland where possible.
  • Escalate any suspected animal, burrow concentration or high quality remnant to the project ecologist before works continue.

Foraging habitat: Foraging structure

The Bathurst grassland earless dragon is expected to hunt from low, open grassland, using a sit and wait strategy. Foraging habitat should retain native tussocks, open ground and a healthy supply of small invertebrates.

Look for open and heterogeneous grassland with low biomass, native tussocks and bare spaces between plants. Grassland earless dragons generally use low grass structure, with a suggested broad habitat range of about 5 to 10 cm in related recovery guidance.

Avoid interpreting a single grass height as a clearance threshold. Suitable structure varies with season, grazing and local conditions, and Bathurst specific habitat requirements remain poorly documented.

  • Native tussocks and forbs
  • Open ground between tussocks for basking and movement
  • Low to moderate grass biomass
  • Undisturbed soil and burrow-forming invertebrates

Foraging habitat: Prey resources

The likely diet includes ants, beetles, spiders, moths, grasshoppers, crickets, flies, termites, bugs and other small grassland invertebrates. Spider burrows may provide both shelter and access to prey.

Ploughing, intensive grazing, fertiliser use, weed invasion and soil disturbance can reduce invertebrate habitat and prey availability.

  • Retain diverse native grass and forb cover.
  • Avoid unnecessary insecticide use in or beside potential habitat.
  • Protect soil and burrow-forming invertebrates from compaction, excavation and stock concentration.

Breeding habitat: Breeding period

Bathurst specific breeding sites have not been documented. Guidance is therefore based mainly on related grassland earless dragons and should be applied conservatively wherever suitable grassland and shelter occur.

Related information indicates breeding activity from late spring through summer. A New South Wales species page identifies November to March as the breeding season for the Bathurst grassland earless dragon.

Limit machinery, earthworks, slashing and other avoidable disturbance during November to March, particularly in native grassland with burrows and open basking areas.

Indicative breeding season: November to March

Related clutch size: 3 to 6 eggs

Related egg laying period: Late spring to early summer

  • Plan vegetation removal and intrusive ground works outside the breeding period where practicable.
  • Use a pre-clearance inspection before any approved works.
  • Stop and seek advice if a lizard, nest or occupied shelter feature is found.

Breeding habitat: Nests and young

Related grassland earless dragons lay eggs in shallow nests. Eggs may develop for 9 to 12 weeks, with hatching in late summer or early autumn, but these details have not been confirmed for the Bathurst species.

Young are expected to use the same general grassland mosaic as adults. Retain native cover, open ground and nearby shelter during and after works.

  • Do not search for or excavate suspected nests without the required approvals and specialist direction.
  • Protect suitable ground around any suspected nest or concentration of hatchlings.
  • Include juvenile habitat in the retained area, not only locations where adults have been observed.

Breeding habitat: Breeding place protection

No breeding colony, maternity site or species-specific nest concentration is known. Spider burrows, soil cracks, tussock bases and other undisturbed ground features should be treated as potential shelter and breeding habitat until assessed.

Any proposal to disturb a suspected breeding place should be referred to the project ecologist and the relevant New South Wales regulator before work proceeds.

  • Map burrows and likely nesting ground.
  • Avoid stockpiling soil, parking machinery or placing exclusion fencing across burrow entrances.
  • Maintain habitat continuity around retained grassland patches.

Sheltering habitat: Burrows and soil refuges

The species is associated with small ground-level refuges rather than trees, hollows or caves. Shelter features can be easily damaged by grading, compaction, rock removal, trampling and careless handling.

Bathurst grassland earless dragons have been observed sheltering in spider burrows, including larger wolf spider burrows and smaller trapdoor spider burrows. Related species use burrows for overwintering and protection from predators and livestock trampling.

The species has also been observed escaping into rabbit burrows when disturbed. Soil cracks and spaces beneath tussocks may provide additional refuge.

  • Wolf spider and other large spider burrows
  • Trapdoor spider burrows
  • Rabbit burrows and soil cracks
  • Undisturbed ground around tussock bases

Sheltering habitat: Surface cover

Rocks, tussocks and open spaces are relevant habitat features. Rocks and open areas can provide basking locations, while tussocks can provide cover during hot conditions.

Do not remove rocks or flatten tussocks within potential habitat unless the action has been assessed and approved.

  • Retain embedded and loose rocks where they occur.
  • Keep grass tussocks and low vegetation in retained habitat.
  • Prevent livestock or machinery from concentrating around burrows and rock cover.

Sheltering habitat: Pre-clearance and animal response

A qualified fauna ecologist should inspect potential habitat before clearing. Search methods should be designed for small, cryptic lizards and should avoid unnecessary disturbance to burrows and soil.

If a dragon is found, stop work in the immediate area, protect the animal from heat, machinery and handling, and contact the project ecologist for identification and release or management instructions.

  • Do not fill, collapse or excavate burrows during a search.
  • Do not relocate an animal without the required approvals and specialist direction.
  • Record photographs, coordinates, habitat features and the work activity at the time of the observation.

Threats: Clearing and development

The Bathurst grassland earless dragon is listed as critically endangered under both Commonwealth and New South Wales assessments. With no confirmed records since 1996, every remaining patch of potential habitat should be managed as if an undiscovered animal or population may be present until targeted assessment shows otherwise.

Grassland clearing, subdivision, roads, utilities, buildings and construction compounds can remove the species' habitat and isolate remaining patches. Small remnants may still support the species or provide habitat for recovery and future reintroduction.

Keep the development footprint out of native grassland where practicable. Avoid using potential habitat for access tracks, stockpiles, spoil, parking or temporary works.

  • Delineate no-go areas before mobilisation.
  • Retain native tussocks, forbs, open ground, rocks and burrows.
  • Use existing disturbed access routes where possible.
  • Refer proposed impacts to the relevant ecological and regulatory specialists.

Threats: Soil disturbance and shelter loss

Ploughing, grading, trenching, excavation, compaction and rock removal can destroy burrows, soil cracks, basking areas and invertebrate habitat. Machinery vibration and trampling can also disturb animals in refuges.

Use exclusion fencing and clearly marked access routes. Keep earthworks, spoil and machinery outside retained habitat and never fill or excavate suspected burrows without approval.

  • Minimise the width and duration of construction access.
  • Prevent accidental entry into retained grassland.
  • Rehabilitate disturbed ground with locally appropriate native grassland methods.
  • Monitor rehabilitation for weed invasion and loss of open tussock structure.

Threats: Grazing, pasture improvement and weeds

Overgrazing can remove cover, while inadequate grazing management can produce grass that is too tall or dense. Pasture improvement, fertiliser, ploughing and weed invasion can alter vegetation structure, soil condition and invertebrate prey.

Manage retained grassland to maintain a varied mosaic of native tussocks, forbs and open ground. Agree stocking, slashing and weed control methods with the landholder and an experienced grassland ecologist.

  • Retain native pasture rather than replacing it with improved pasture.
  • Avoid fertiliser application in potential habitat unless specifically assessed.
  • Control weeds without broad disturbance or unnecessary insecticide use.
  • Keep rocks and burrow-forming invertebrate habitat in place.

Threats: Timing and construction disturbance

Machinery and other disturbance should be limited where possible during the indicative breeding period of November to March. Heat, traffic, vibration and direct contact can harm animals that shelter in burrows or move through the grassland.

Use staged clearing, pre-clearance inspections and fauna spotter catcher oversight where required by the approval. Stop work if a suspected Bathurst grassland earless dragon is found and obtain specialist direction before resuming.

Conservation status: Critically endangered under Commonwealth and New South Wales listings

Indicative high-risk breeding period: November to March

  • Brief all workers on the species, its appearance and shelter features.
  • Maintain a clear incident and sighting reporting process.
  • Use targeted surveys before high-risk works, especially in remnant grassland around Bathurst, Orange, Blayney, Oberon and towards Cowra.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The Bathurst grassland earless dragon is known from very few records, and no extant population is currently confirmed. Treat all suitable grassland around Bathurst and nearby potential habitat as survey sensitive until a suitably qualified ecologist has assessed it.

Map remnant native tussock grassland, open alluvial plains, roadside and railway verges, travelling stock reserves, paddocks and other treeless or sparsely treed areas.

Retain areas with native tussocks, forbs, open ground between tussocks, undisturbed soil, surface rocks and burrow-forming invertebrates.

Check records and habitat mapping for Bathurst, Orange, Blayney, Oberon and areas south towards Cowra. Treat modelled habitat as indicative, not as a boundary.

Identify potential impacts from clearing, ploughing, pasture improvement, fertiliser, weed control, rock removal, grazing changes, machinery access and lighting.

  • Engage a herpetologist familiar with grassland earless dragons before finalising the survey design.
  • Contact relevant NSW threatened species and local land management officers where records or suitable habitat occur.
  • Check whether the proposal may affect the critically endangered Natural Temperate Grassland of the South Eastern Highlands ecological community.

Survey methodology: 2. Field detection

Search during periods when small grassland lizards are likely to be active and visible, with priority given to suitable weather in spring, summer and early autumn.

Use quiet, slow visual searches of tussock bases, open ground, rocks, cracks and the entrances of wolf spider burrows. Scan basking areas from a distance before walking through them.

Inspect habitat edges and likely shelter locations without excavating, filling or collapsing burrows. Do not remove rocks or disturb tussocks unless this has been specifically approved.

Use experienced observers and, where appropriate, approved reptile trapping methods designed by the project ecologist. Trapping must include animal welfare controls, weather limits and frequent checks.

  • Avoid surveys during cold, wet, windy or very hot conditions when lizards may be sheltering and detection is reduced.
  • Do not rely on a single negative survey to clear habitat, given the long period since the last confirmed sighting.
  • Use photographs and expert verification for any suspected record.

Survey methodology: 3. Survey effort and conditions

Set survey effort according to the size, condition and fragmentation of the habitat, the level of proposed disturbance and the likelihood of a false negative.

Use repeated visits across suitable conditions and include the breeding period from November to March. Confirm the final timing and effort with the project ecologist and the relevant regulator.

Survey all habitat that may be affected, including narrow strips, stock routes, road and rail verges, private paddocks and areas labelled as degraded or weedy.

Where access is limited, document the limitation and use landholder knowledge, historic records and targeted searches from accessible margins.

  • Record the date, start and finish time, weather, recent rainfall, temperature where measured, wind, cloud cover and ground condition.
  • Record observer names, search method, search time, area covered and any trapping details.
  • Record habitat condition, grass height, bare ground, tussock density, rocks, spider burrows, weeds, grazing signs and nearby disturbance.

Survey methodology: 4. Records and verification

Record every observation, including animals, tracks, burrows, sloughed skin, photographs and credible reports. Do not assume that an earless dragon in NSW is the Bathurst grassland earless dragon without checking its identity.

Document the location accurately and take photographs of the animal, dorsal pattern, head, throat, thighs, habitat and any shelter feature where this can be done without handling.

Submit significant records through the relevant NSW biodiversity recording system and notify the project ecologist and approval holder promptly.

  • Record whether the animal was observed, captured under approval, injured, dead, released or relocated.
  • Record the identification confidence and name of the person who verified it.
  • Protect sensitive location data from unnecessary public release.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Avoidance and approvals

Plan the work on the assumption that a rediscovered animal or small population would be at extreme risk. Avoid suitable habitat first, then reduce the footprint and control disturbance through the approval and construction plans.

Redesign the proposal to retain native grassland, tussocks, open basking areas, rocks, undisturbed soil and likely spider burrows.

Obtain project specific advice on whether the action needs referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. A confirmed or likely impact on this critically endangered species may require referral or approval.

Obtain relevant NSW threatened species and biodiversity approvals before clearing, handling, trapping, relocation or habitat disturbance. Check local council and land management approvals as well.

A Queensland species management program is not the normal approval pathway for this NSW endemic species. If work occurs in Queensland and a protected animal or breeding place may be affected, obtain advice from the Queensland regulator and use a species management program where required.

  • Do not start clearing on the basis that the species has not been seen for many years.
  • Include habitat maps, survey results, avoidance areas, work limits and stop work procedures in the construction environmental management plan.
  • Confirm whether separate approval is needed for the ecological community or other threatened species.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Pre-clearance survey and exclusion

Complete the approved pre-clearance survey close enough to the work to detect animals that may move into the area. Use the species survey method and timing set by the project ecologist.

Mark the approved clearing boundary on the ground. Fence or flag retained habitat and shelter features before machinery arrives.

Do not set a generic buffer around a record. No species specific construction buffer has been established for this species. Have the ecologist and regulator set a conservative exclusion area around any record, burrow concentration or suspected breeding place.

Keep plant, vehicles, spoil, chemicals and workers out of retained habitat and exclusion areas.

  • Inspect access tracks, laydown areas, compound sites and temporary work areas, not only the permanent footprint.
  • Recheck areas after fencing and before daily works if the boundary has been moved or disturbed.
  • Maintain exclusion fencing and signage for the full construction period.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Timing and work planning

Plan to avoid disturbance during the breeding period from November to March wherever practicable. Limit machinery, excavation and heavy traffic near suitable habitat during this period.

There is no established migration schedule for the Bathurst grassland earless dragon. Do not assume that animals will leave a site seasonally or that a site is safe because no movement corridor is mapped.

Stage works so that retained grassland remains connected and accessible. Avoid creating isolated strips or trapping animals between active work areas.

Schedule high noise, vibration and soil disturbance away from known or suspected shelter and breeding areas whenever practicable.

  • Use the ecologist to approve any unavoidable work during November to March.
  • Stop work and reassess if weather, ground conditions or habitat disturbance changes the survey assumptions.
  • Keep alternative access routes available so machinery does not enter an exclusion area.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Induction and responsibilities

Give all workers a short field induction before they enter the site. Show photographs of the Bathurst grassland earless dragon and explain that it has a hidden external ear opening, a patterned brown-grey back and pale longitudinal stripes.

Nominate the fauna spotter catcher and project ecologist in the work plan. Give the spotter catcher authority to stop work immediately if an animal, burrow, suspected breeding place or unapproved impact is detected.

Explain that only authorised and appropriately trained personnel may handle, trap or relocate an animal.

Make the stop work procedure visible in the site office, vehicles and induction material.

  • Tell operators not to chase animals, block burrows, move rocks or disturb tussocks.
  • Provide the fauna spotter catcher with the approval conditions, contact list, first aid materials and suitable secure containers.
  • Brief workers on the injured animal pathway and incident recording requirements.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Clear in small, controlled stages and keep a qualified fauna spotter catcher present where required by the approval. The spotter catcher must be able to stop machinery before an animal or shelter feature is harmed.

Clear from the edge of the approved footprint towards already disturbed ground, leaving animals a safe route to retained habitat where the ecologist has approved that approach.

Use low speed and short work fronts. Inspect each area before machinery enters and again after vegetation or surface material has been moved.

Retain tussocks, rocks, soil cracks and spider burrows outside the approved footprint. Do not push debris into retained grassland.

Keep machinery, spoil and water run-off away from exclusion areas.

  • Stop immediately if an animal is seen or suspected.
  • Do not use grading, rolling, ripping or burning to flush an animal from shelter.
  • Do not excavate wolf spider or other burrows to search for a dragon.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Animal handling and breeding places

Only an authorised person may capture, handle or relocate a Bathurst grassland earless dragon. Follow the approval, animal ethics requirements and the direction of the project ecologist.

If an animal is found, stop nearby work, protect it from machinery and allow the fauna spotter catcher to assess the situation.

If an active breeding place, nest, eggs, occupied burrow or concentration of animals is found, stop work in the affected area and establish a temporary exclusion zone. Do not touch, fill, move or cover it.

Contact the project ecologist and approval holder immediately. Seek regulator advice where the find is outside the approved method or may breach an approval.

  • Keep people and machinery away from the find until a lawful response is agreed.
  • Do not relocate an animal unless relocation is authorised and the release site has been assessed as suitable.
  • Record the exact location, habitat, condition of the animal and all actions taken.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Injured or dead animals

Place an injured animal in a clean, secure, ventilated container only if this can be done safely and by an authorised person. Keep it quiet, shaded and at a stable temperature.

Do not offer food or water unless directed by a wildlife veterinarian or the approved wildlife carer.

Contact the nominated wildlife veterinarian, wildlife rescue provider, project ecologist and regulator contact listed in the approval as soon as possible.

If an animal is dead, do not dispose of it. Photograph it, protect the location and arrange collection or advice from the project ecologist or regulator.

  • Record the time, location, apparent cause, finder, handler, container and destination.
  • Do not release an injured animal without veterinary or ecologist direction.
  • Keep machinery stopped until the cause and any further risk have been assessed.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Daily records and stop work

Maintain a daily fauna log for all searches, sightings, captures, injuries, deaths, burrow finds, stop work events and releases.

Record the plant used, area cleared, clearing stage, spotter catcher, weather, habitat condition and any departure from the approved method.

The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop work without waiting for supervisor approval when an animal or unapproved impact is suspected.

Report non compliance, accidental habitat damage and any new record to the site supervisor and project ecologist on the same day.

  • Use coordinates or a marked site plan for every event.
  • Attach photographs where they assist identification or incident review.
  • Retain records with the project environmental documents.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-clearance checks

A site is not clear when the last machine leaves. Complete checks, confirm that retained habitat remains intact and use every observation to improve the next stage of work.

Inspect the cleared footprint, retained habitat edge, access routes and exclusion fencing after each clearing stage.

Check for injured or trapped animals, collapsed burrows, buried rocks, soil compaction, fuel spills, erosion and accidental encroachment into retained habitat.

Have the fauna spotter catcher or project ecologist confirm that the area is safe before the next construction stage begins.

Repair fencing and signage promptly where they have failed.

  • Repeat targeted searches if clearing exposes new shelter features or if an animal could have been trapped.
  • Keep temporary ground disturbance to the approved footprint.
  • Remove waste, spoil and unused materials from retained grassland.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Reporting and monitoring

Prepare a completion report that summarises survey effort, clearing dates, habitat affected, animals found, handling or relocation, incidents, stop work events and rehabilitation actions.

Report any confirmed Bathurst grassland earless dragon record through the required NSW and Commonwealth channels and to the relevant approval authority.

Monitor retained and rehabilitated habitat where required by the approval or recovery program. Use the same locations and methods where practical so results can be compared.

Continue monitoring if an animal is found, if suitable habitat remains beside the works or if construction has altered shelter, grass cover or prey habitat.

  • Map all records and exclusion areas in the final site plan.
  • State clearly where survey access or visibility was limited.
  • Keep monitoring results with the project environmental records and approval compliance reports.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Relocated animals

Confirm the release location, time, habitat condition and person responsible for every authorised relocation.

Use only release sites approved by the project ecologist and regulator. The site should provide suitable native grassland, open ground, shelter features and access to invertebrate prey.

Do not release an animal into isolated, recently disturbed, heavily grazed or unsuitable grassland.

Monitor the release site where required and report mortality, repeated movement into the work area or evidence of poor habitat suitability.

  • Record the animal condition before release and any identifying photograph or mark that is lawfully used.
  • Do not move animals between distant sites without specific approval and expert advice.
  • Review the relocation method if an animal cannot be located after release.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review every stop work event, injury, death, unapproved disturbance and near miss before the next work stage.

Identify whether the cause was poor habitat mapping, inadequate survey timing, boundary failure, worker awareness, machinery movement or a weakness in the method statement.

Update the induction, exclusion controls, survey plan and construction sequence before work resumes.

Share verified records with the recovery program and relevant land managers so they can inform future searches.

  • Hold the review with the project manager, fauna spotter catcher, ecologist and site supervisor.
  • Close out corrective actions in writing.
  • Escalate repeated failures to the approval holder and regulator.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore grassland structure

Rehabilitation should restore the grassland structure that may support shelter, basking and prey. The species is poorly known, so use locally appropriate native grassland restoration and avoid adding structures that have not been shown to benefit this dragon.

Retain and reinstate native tussocks, forbs, open ground between tussocks and undisturbed soil. Use local provenance seed or plant material where suitable and approved.

Restore a varied, open grassland structure rather than creating dense, uniform pasture. Manage grass cover so it is neither heavily grazed nor excessively rank.

Retain suitable surface rocks where they occur naturally and protect existing spider burrows and soil cracks.

Avoid ploughing, broad soil disturbance and pasture improvement in restoration areas.

  • Use a staged rehabilitation plan with clear completion criteria.
  • Prevent vehicles and stock from entering newly restored areas until the ground and vegetation can withstand use.
  • Coordinate grazing with the ecologist and land manager so tussock cover and open basking areas are maintained.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Weeds, soil and water

Control weeds using methods that protect tussocks, soil invertebrates and shelter features. Avoid blanket chemical treatment unless it has been assessed as safe for the site.

Prevent fertiliser, sediment, hydrocarbons and contaminated water from entering retained or rehabilitated grassland.

Repair erosion and compaction with the least soil disturbance practicable. Retain natural microhabitats rather than grading the surface flat.

Provide water management that prevents concentrated flows and prolonged waterlogging. Do not install ponds or artificial water points as a substitute for suitable grassland habitat.

  • Use weed hygiene controls on vehicles and machinery.
  • Inspect restoration areas after rain and construction traffic.
  • Record weed treatment locations, products, weather and follow up results.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Shelter and breeding features

Retain wolf spider burrows, natural cracks, tussock bases and suitable soil because related grassland earless dragons use burrows for shelter and overwintering.

Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes, artificial nest sites or roost structures. These structures are not established replacement habitat for the Bathurst grassland earless dragon.

Do not create artificial burrows or move rocks into habitat unless a species specialist and regulator have approved a site specific design and monitoring plan.

If an approved project removes a confirmed breeding place or occupied shelter, follow the approval conditions and obtain expert advice before any replacement feature is designed.

  • Protect burrow-forming invertebrates by limiting pesticides and excessive soil disturbance.
  • Do not seal, fill or cap burrows during rehabilitation.
  • Treat natural shelter replacement as an experimental action requiring documented approval and review.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Lighting, fencing and long term monitoring

Keep artificial lighting away from retained and rehabilitated grassland where practicable. Use the lowest useful intensity, direct lights away from habitat and avoid lighting burrows, tussock edges and open basking areas.

Design fences so they do not trap animals or prevent movement between retained grassland patches. Remove temporary exclusion fencing when it is no longer needed.

Monitor vegetation cover, weeds, soil condition, rocks, burrows, invertebrate activity and any dragon observations through the establishment period and for the duration required by the approval.

Review management after drought, flood, fire, major grazing changes or new construction nearby.

  • Use fixed photo points and mapped plots to track rehabilitation condition.
  • Repeat targeted dragon surveys in suitable conditions where the recovery program or approval requires them.
  • Adjust grazing, weed control, access and lighting if monitoring shows declining habitat quality.

Sources