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Black-striped Wallaby (Notamacropus dorsalis)

The black-striped wallaby is a medium-sized, shy macropod of eastern Australia. It is predominantly nocturnal, grazes on monocotyledonous plants and favours thick scrub, so dense vegetation retained within or beside a work area may provide important habitat during clearing and construction.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Endangered.

Identification

The black-striped wallaby is a medium-sized wallaby that can be difficult to detect because it is shy, mostly active at night and associated with thick scrub.

The most useful field characters are the black line along the back, a white stripe over the hip and stronger red colouration than the mainland Australian subspecies of the red-necked wallaby. The red colour extends down the arms and further down the abdomen.

Identification: Size, sex and similar species

The supplied sources describe the species as medium-sized but do not provide body measurements, weight or reliable field differences between males and females.

When checking a possible animal, compare the dorsal black stripe, white hip stripe and redder limbs and abdomen with red-necked wallaby. Identification should be confirmed from clear photographs where the animal is seen briefly or in poor light.

Body size: Medium-sized wallaby; measurements not provided in the supplied sources

Body weight: Not provided in the supplied sources

Sex differences: Not provided in the supplied sources

Identification: Field signs and detection

The sources do not describe tracks, scats, calls, nests, dens or eyeshine. Absence of these signs should not be taken as evidence that the species is absent, particularly in thick scrub and during daylight surveys.

Spotter catchers should give particular attention to dense scrub and conduct targeted checks around vegetation that will be cleared. Nocturnal searches may improve detection because the species is predominantly nocturnal.

Distribution: State range

The black-striped wallaby occurs in eastern Australia. The supplied sources provide a broad state range, but do not identify bioregions, strongholds, local population sizes or mapped subpopulations.

The species occurs from Townsville in Queensland to Narrabri in New South Wales. In New South Wales, it is reported only west of the Great Dividing Range. The Mammal Diversity Database summarises the range as eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales.

Queensland: Eastern Queensland, extending north to Townsville

New South Wales: Eastern New South Wales, but reported west of the Great Dividing Range, extending south to Narrabri

Bioregions: Not specified in the supplied sources

Distribution: Population status

Numbers are reported as declining in the areas described by the source. The New South Wales population is classified as endangered, although the species is listed as Least Concern globally.

Population size: Not provided

Population trend: Decreasing in the described areas

Global IUCN status: Least Concern

New South Wales status: Endangered

  • Treat the species as a potential site constraint wherever suitable thick scrub occurs within its documented range.
  • Use local records, targeted searches and advice from the relevant state authority to assess presence because the supplied sources do not provide population estimates or known strongholds.

Habitat: Habitat structure

The species is associated with thick scrub and can remain hidden in dense vegetation. The supplied sources do not define particular vegetation communities, elevation limits or climate limits.

Thick scrub is the clearest habitat feature identified for the species. Dense vegetation may allow animals to remain concealed during the day and may provide access to preferred grazing plants.

For clearing assessments, map continuous and patchy scrub separately, including dense edges, regrowth and vegetation adjoining proposed access tracks or work areas.

  • Inspect dense scrub before clearing, with attention to areas that connect to other patches of vegetation.
  • Retain a clear record of scrub cleared, retained and temporarily disturbed so that habitat loss and fragmentation can be assessed.

Habitat: Physical limits

The sources do not provide elevation, rainfall, temperature or named vegetation community limits. They also do not identify a defined habitat type outside the general description of thick scrub.

Elevation range: Not provided

Climate limits: Not provided

Named vegetation communities: Not provided

Foraging habitat: Food

The black-striped wallaby is a predominantly nocturnal grazer. Monocotyledonous plants appear to be its preferred food.

Reported food consists mainly of monocotyledonous plants, including leaves and seedheads. The supplied sources do not identify particular plant species or quantify daily food intake.

Feeding type: Grazing

Preferred food: Monocotyledonous plant leaves and seedheads

Named food plants: None provided

  • Record the presence of grass-like and other monocotyledonous plants within scrub and at scrub edges when assessing potential habitat.
  • Avoid assuming that open ground has little value, because the species may feed on monocotyledonous plants associated with or adjoining dense scrub.

Foraging habitat: Foraging area

No foraging range, home range, travel distance or feeding density is provided. The species is described as preferring thick scrub, so feeding areas may be close to cover, but the supplied sources do not establish the distance animals travel from shelter.

  • Include nearby dense cover when inspecting open or partly cleared areas that contain likely food plants.
  • Use direct observations, camera records and signs recorded during site work to define local foraging areas rather than applying an unverified distance buffer.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

The supplied sources do not provide breeding dates, litter size, gestation, age at maturity, lifespan or specific breeding-site features. These details should be obtained from current state species information before planning work where the species is present.

No breeding season or reproductive measurements are given in the supplied documents. The documents also do not describe pouch use, birth timing, litter size or the age at which animals mature.

Breeding season: Not provided

Litter size: Not provided

Gestation: Not provided

Age at maturity: Not provided

Lifespan: Not provided

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat

Specific breeding habitat is not described. Because the species favours thick scrub, retain and inspect dense cover as potential shelter for females and dependent young during clearing planning.

  • Schedule pre-clearing inspections in suitable scrub before disturbance begins.
  • Use a fauna spotter catcher during staged clearing and check felled vegetation and ground cover for animals or dependent young.
  • Escalate any capture, injury or dependent young to the project fauna management procedure and the relevant state authority.

Sheltering habitat: Cover and concealment

Thick scrub is the only sheltering feature identified in the supplied sources. The species is shy and may be difficult to detect because dense vegetation conceals it.

The species prefers thick scrub, which is likely to provide concealment and daytime refuge. The sources do not identify hollow trees, burrows, nests, caves or particular ground-cover heights.

  • Treat dense scrub as potential refuge during pre-clearing surveys.
  • Inspect vegetation progressively as it is opened up, rather than relying on a single inspection of the intact area.
  • Maintain an escape route towards retained vegetation during staged clearing where this is consistent with the approved fauna management plan.

Sheltering habitat: Unknown refuge features

No refuge dimensions, den sizes, burrow dimensions, hollow requirements or roost features are provided. Do not apply a species-specific refuge size from the supplied information.

Known refuge type: Thick scrub

Burrows or dens: Not described

Tree hollows: Not described

Refuge dimensions: Not provided

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The documented concerns are decline in parts of the range and endangered status in New South Wales. The supplied sources do not list causes, so project risks should be assessed from the species' dependence on thick scrub and its likely exposure during vegetation removal.

Removal of thick scrub can directly remove cover used by this shy wallaby and can break up the vegetation in which it is concealed. Fragmentation risk is relevant because the species is associated with dense scrub and is declining in parts of its range.

  • Survey and map thick scrub before clearing.
  • Avoid unnecessary removal of scrub, particularly where patches connect or adjoin other suitable vegetation.
  • Stage clearing so animals can move towards retained vegetation and use a fauna spotter catcher during the works.

Threats: Construction hazards

The sources do not specifically document road mortality, fire, predation, disease or hydrology change for this species. These pressures should nevertheless be checked in the project risk assessment where works affect scrub, movement routes or food plants.

  • Check road and vehicle risks where construction traffic passes through or beside suitable scrub.
  • Assess whether altered drainage or water levels could change dense vegetation and monocotyledonous food plants.
  • Record sightings, captures and mortality during construction so local risks can be reviewed.

Threats: Conservation context

The species is listed as Least Concern globally, but the New South Wales population is classified as endangered and the species is reported to be decreasing in the relevant areas. State requirements therefore need to be checked for projects in New South Wales.

Global status: Least Concern

New South Wales population: Endangered

Reported trend: Decreasing in the described areas

  • Apply the stricter state requirements where the work is in New South Wales.
  • Obtain current approval and handling requirements before disturbing occupied habitat.

Survey methodology: 1. Nocturnal spotlighting

Survey this wallaby as a shy, predominantly nocturnal grazer that favours thick scrub. The supplied material does not provide a species specific survey guideline or minimum effort, so record the effort and conditions used and justify the design for the site.

  • Conduct spotlight searches after dark because the species is predominantly nocturnal.
  • Search thick scrub and adjoining vegetation, where the animal may be difficult to detect.
  • Record the number of nights, start and finish times, personnel, search route, area covered, weather, visibility and any access constraints.
  • Use repeated searches where the first visit is affected by rain, wind, poor visibility or restricted access.
  • Do not state a minimum number of nights or hours unless it is required by the relevant state guideline, because none is provided in the source material.

Survey methodology: 2. Daytime habitat inspection

  • Inspect the proposed clearing area during the day for thick scrub, dense ground cover and connected vegetation that could provide shelter or feeding habitat.
  • Map the boundary of suitable scrub and identify links to retained vegetation before finalising the survey route and clearing limits.
  • Record evidence of grazing or other macropod activity, while recognising that absence of signs during a daytime inspection does not exclude this nocturnal species.

Survey methodology: 3. Targeted follow-up

  • Use additional nocturnal searches in areas where thick scrub is present or where previous observations indicate activity.
  • Repeat the search after the disturbance footprint, access routes and retained habitat have been clearly mapped.
  • Consult the relevant state fauna survey guidance and approval conditions to set any required transect length, survey area, number of visits or seasonal timing.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Prepare a site specific survey design because the supplied documents do not give species specific numbers for nights, hours, transects, trap nights, camera nights or survey area.
  • Report the total search area, route length, search time, number of observers, weather, vegetation condition, detection method and results for every visit.
  • Identify the species by its scientific name, Notamacropus dorsalis, and note that it is also known as the scrub wallaby or eastern brush wallaby.
  • Submit confirmed records and survey data to the relevant state wildlife database and meet all project approval reporting requirements.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat thick scrub and connected vegetation as potential habitat, even when the animal is not detected during daytime checks. The species occurs in Queensland and New South Wales, with the New South Wales population classified as endangered.

  • Retain the largest practical areas of thick scrub within and beside the work area.
  • Keep connected vegetation between retained scrub patches wherever the project design allows.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, lighting and vehicle movements out of retained scrub and other identified refuge areas.
  • Use the smallest practical clearing footprint and clearly mark the approved disturbance boundary before work starts.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and planning

  • Confirm the current EPBC Act listing and referral requirements before works commence, even though the supplied profile records the species as not listed under that Act.
  • Check state threatened species legislation, permits and approval conditions, with particular attention to New South Wales where the population is classified as endangered.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that sets out survey results, exclusion areas, spotter catcher authority, stop work triggers, handling arrangements and reporting.
  • Stage clearing so that retained habitat remains available while each work area is inspected and released.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete a pre-clearance inspection immediately before clearing, with particular attention to dense scrub and connected vegetation.
  • Mark retained scrub, no-go areas, access tracks and the approved clearing boundary on the ground and in project plans.
  • Install exclusion fencing where it can safely direct animals away from machinery and towards retained habitat.
  • Brief operators and supervisors on the wallaby's nocturnal behaviour and on the requirement to report every sighting to the fauna spotter catcher.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls

Use active fauna supervision whenever suitable scrub is being disturbed. The fauna spotter catcher should control the release of each work area and keep machinery outside the approved clearing boundary.

  • Inspect the work area before machinery enters it, including dense scrub, edges and any areas disturbed on the previous day.
  • Confirm that exclusion fencing, signage, access controls and the clearing boundary remain intact.
  • Use the fauna spotter catcher to release work areas progressively rather than allowing machinery to clear ahead of the inspection.
  • Stop work if visibility is poor, the approved boundary is unclear, an animal is located in the work area or an unexpected habitat feature is identified.

During habitat disturbance: Spotter catcher and machinery

  • Keep the fauna spotter catcher in direct communication with the operator and supervisor throughout clearing.
  • Clear slowly in short sections so the spotter catcher can inspect vegetation before it is removed.
  • Maintain a clear escape route to retained scrub and do not drive animals towards roads, open water, active machinery or isolated vegetation.
  • The spotter catcher must not enter an unsafe area or direct machinery from a position where the operator cannot see or hear the instruction.

During habitat disturbance: Animal handling and habitat features

  • If a wallaby is found, stop nearby work, isolate the area and allow the authorised fauna handler to assess the animal.
  • Do not catch, restrain, transport or relocate the animal unless the person is authorised under the relevant state requirements and the fauna management plan.
  • Where relocation is approved, move the animal only to suitable nearby retained habitat identified in the plan, with the route kept clear of machinery and hazards.
  • Treat any injured animal as a wildlife emergency and arrange prompt assessment by a veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer.
  • Inspect scrub, ground cover, logs, rocks, burrows, wetlands and other shelter features before removal, and follow the approved procedure for any animal found within them.

During habitat disturbance: Stop work and records

  • Stop work when a wallaby is found within the disturbance area, when an animal is injured, or when clearing could affect an animal that cannot be safely removed.
  • Record the date, time, location, activity, habitat condition, animal response, handler, action taken, relocation destination and work restart approval.
  • Escalate repeated sightings, injured animals, mortality, boundary breaches and unauthorised clearing to the project environmental officer and relevant regulator where required.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Check that clearing has not left animals, isolated scrub or avoidable hazards within the work area. Retain controls until the site is stable and the environmental officer confirms that the approved works are complete.

  • Inspect the completed clearing area and the edge of retained scrub for animals, injury, mortality, trapped fauna and damaged exclusion fencing.
  • Check that no machinery, spoil, waste or temporary lighting has encroached into retained habitat.
  • Complete a final fauna record for each work area, including nil records, incidents and any unresolved risk.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and controls

  • Continue targeted nocturnal checks where clearing has removed or narrowed thick scrub connections, where an animal was relocated, or where the management plan requires follow-up.
  • Maintain exclusion fencing, signs and access controls until construction hazards no longer threaten animals moving through retained habitat.
  • Review monitoring results and amend work controls if wallabies continue to enter active work areas.

After habitat disturbance: Reporting and offsets

  • Submit survey, encounter, relocation, injury, mortality and monitoring records to the relevant state wildlife database and regulator where required.
  • Report any breach of approval conditions or threatened species requirements through the project's incident process.
  • Apply any approved offset or compensatory habitat measure required by the relevant approval, particularly where state threatened population requirements apply.

Rehabilitation actions: Rebuild habitat structure

Rehabilitation should rebuild connected, dense vegetation that provides cover and grazing opportunities. The available sources identify thick scrub and monocotyledonous plants as important parts of the species' ecology, but do not specify a planting list or restoration targets.

  • Re-establish thick native scrub across disturbed edges, temporary work areas and gaps between retained vegetation.
  • Use locally appropriate native monocotyledonous plants where suitable, because leaves and seedheads are reported as preferred food.
  • Connect revegetated areas with retained scrub wherever the project footprint allows.
  • Exclude vehicles, stock and other disturbance until plantings and ground cover are established.

Rehabilitation actions: Site features and threats

  • Retain suitable logs, rocks and dense ground cover where they are safe and consistent with the approved design.
  • Do not install hollows or nest boxes as a substitute for scrub habitat unless another fauna requirement identifies a clear need.
  • Control weeds so native cover can establish, and manage feral predators and domestic animals where they are identified as a project risk.
  • Apply fire management that protects establishing scrub and follows the relevant land manager's approved fire regime.

Rehabilitation actions: Success measures

  • Monitor rehabilitation for survival of planted vegetation, return of dense ground cover, continuity between retained scrub patches and evidence of wallaby use.
  • Use repeat daytime habitat inspections and nocturnal searches, with the same effort and recording fields used during the pre-clearing assessment where practical.
  • Set site specific completion criteria for vegetation cover, connectivity, weed control and fauna use in the rehabilitation plan because the supplied sources do not provide numerical targets.
  • Maintain failed areas through supplementary planting, weed control or erosion repair until the agreed rehabilitation criteria are met.

Sources