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Bunya Sunskink (Lampropholis colossus)

The Bunya sunskink is a poorly known skink endemic to Queensland, with records centred on the Bunya Mountains area and its open natural grassland balds. It can be overlooked during clearing because it uses ground-level habitat and cover. In Queensland it is listed as near threatened and is protected wildlife, so occupied habitat and any breeding place must be managed carefully during works.

Conservation status

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Near threatened.

Breeding season

The Bunya sunskink is poorly known, and species-specific breeding months have not been documented. For planning, use a conservative spring to summer breeding window, with activity and timing expected to vary with local conditions in the Bunya Mountains area.

Breeding mode: Not recorded. As a skink, it is expected to lay eggs, but this should be confirmed locally before works.

Clutch size: Not recorded.

Incubation: Not recorded.

Hatching and young: Not recorded. The timing of hatching and independence is unknown.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Breeding sites: Not recorded. Avoid disturbing ground cover, litter, rocks, logs and other potential shelter or nesting features in suitable grassland habitat.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded.

Timing may shift between years and sites with temperature, rainfall, shelter conditions and local population differences, so use local records and pre-clearance observations to refine the work plan.

  • General surface activity: Use increased search effort from spring through late summer, while allowing for activity outside this period during warm weather.
  • Likely mating and egg laying: This is a provisional small skink pattern, not a documented Bunya sunskink breeding record.
  • Likely eggs and dependent young: Treat ground shelter and dense grass cover as potentially occupied by eggs or young during the warmer months.
  • Shelter and habitat use: Suitable grassland bald habitat may be used throughout the year, including outside the likely breeding period.
  • Highest clearing risk: Plan the highest seasonal risk from October to February, but manage clearing as a year-round risk because shelter and breeding sites are not defined.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Bunya sunskink is a recently described, poorly known endemic skink. Species-specific identification information is limited, so photographs and expert confirmation are useful when a small skink is found during works.

A reliable description of the Bunya sunskink's colour, markings and adult size is not established in this profile. Do not identify it from a quick view alone if other small skinks occur on the site.

Body size: No confirmed size is stated

Group: Small terrestrial skink in the family Scincidae

Identification: Calls and similar species

No species-specific call or comparison with similar skinks is established. Skinks are generally detected by movement rather than by calls, so an absence of calling does not indicate absence.

  • Take clear photographs from above and from the side where safe to do so.
  • Record the exact location, habitat, date and time of each observation.
  • Seek confirmation from a suitably experienced reptile ecologist before handling or relocating an animal.

Identification: Field signs and site checks

Droppings, nests, stains, odour and other distinctive field signs are not established for this species. Search ground cover carefully because a skink may remain hidden until vegetation, litter or other cover is disturbed.

  • Inspect grass tussocks, leaf litter, fallen timber, rocks and the edges of tracks or clearing areas.
  • Use a slow, controlled search and avoid turning cover unnecessarily.
  • Treat a confirmed animal, repeated sightings or fresh movement through suitable habitat as a trigger for fauna management advice.

Distribution: Range in Australia

The Bunya sunskink is endemic to Queensland and does not occur elsewhere in Australia or overseas. Available records associate it with the Bunya Mountains area, although the full distribution may be broader than the available records show.

Queensland is the only state recorded for this species. It is described as endemic to the Bunya Mountains area, and the Bunya Mountains National Park guide states that it does not live anywhere else.

  • Queensland endemic.
  • Bunya Mountains area, including Bunya Mountains National Park.
  • Look beyond mapped records where suitable grassland bald habitat remains.

Distribution: Using records on a project site

WildNet records are useful for project screening, but they do not confirm current presence or absence. Records can have location uncertainty, and a species may still occur where it is not shown in a local report.

  • Check WildNet, the WildNet Application and WetlandMaps during project planning.
  • Treat a nearby record as a reason for targeted field assessment, not as a substitute for a site inspection.
  • Retain the location and habitat details for all observations and non detections.

Distribution: Project response

Near threatened status warrants a precautionary approach during clearing and construction. If suitable habitat is present, plan a reptile assessment before disturbance rather than relying only on incidental observations.

  • Confirm whether the footprint overlaps open natural grassland balds or connected ground habitat.
  • Include access tracks, compound areas, stockpiles and temporary work areas in the assessment.
  • Escalate a confirmed sighting to the project ecologist and fauna spotter catcher.

Habitat: Habitat to look for

The clearest documented habitat is open natural grassland bald habitat in the Bunya Mountains. These grassland balds are open areas scattered across the mountains and contain Bunya Mountains bluegrass.

Prioritise open, relatively natural grassland on mountain balds. Retain the native grass structure and the ground cover within and around these openings during site planning.

  • Open natural grassland balds.
  • Bunya Mountains bluegrass habitat.
  • Edges and connections between open grassland and surrounding vegetation.
  • Undisturbed ground cover within grassland openings.

Habitat: Landform and vegetation context

The species is associated with the geographically isolated Bunya Mountains landscape. The wider park contains sheltered habitats and diverse vegetation, but the documented species habitat is specifically the open grassland bald environment.

  • Mountain-top or elevated grassland openings.
  • Sheltered margins around grassland balds.
  • Patches of native grassland separated by woodland or rainforest vegetation.
  • Ground-level cover that remains connected across the work area.

Habitat: Site assessment

Map the grassland bald boundary and inspect the whole proposed disturbance area, not just the construction footprint. Include areas that may be affected by machinery access, drainage, sediment movement or temporary storage.

  • Mark native grassland and any patches of Bunya Mountains bluegrass.
  • Record rocks, logs, litter, tussocks and other ground cover that may provide refuge.
  • Keep stockpiles, vehicles and laydown areas off suitable grassland wherever practicable.

Foraging habitat: Foraging areas

The Bunya sunskink's diet and detailed foraging requirements are not established. As a terrestrial skink, it should be managed as a ground-level fauna risk within suitable native grassland and associated cover.

Look for active skinks in open grassland, among grass tussocks and along the edges of ground cover. Avoid assuming that short or apparently sparse grassland is unused.

  • Native grass tussocks and the spaces between them.
  • Leaf litter and fallen vegetation.
  • Rock and timber edges within or beside the grassland bald.
  • Sheltered grassland margins near surrounding vegetation.

Foraging habitat: Ground disturbance

Grading, scraping, slashing, trenching and vehicle movement can remove cover or expose animals. Keep disturbance to the approved footprint and use clearly marked access routes.

  • Walk the area before machinery enters.
  • Lift or inspect removable cover only under the direction of the fauna spotter catcher.
  • Check spoil, cut vegetation and disturbed edges for reptiles before these materials are moved.

Foraging habitat: Practical survey approach

Use a qualified ecologist to set survey timing and effort for the site. Search during conditions when reptiles are likely to be visible, while recognising that detection can vary with weather, season and ground cover.

  • Combine direct searches with habitat assessment and incidental observations during pre-clearing checks.
  • Repeat checks where suitable habitat is extensive or disturbance will occur in stages.
  • Record search conditions and the area inspected, including areas where no animals were seen.

Breeding habitat: Potential breeding habitat

The Bunya sunskink's breeding season, breeding sites and reproductive biology are not established in this profile. Manage occupied grassland and intact ground cover cautiously because near threatened wildlife and its breeding places receive protection in Queensland.

There is no confirmed nest, burrow or other breeding place type to target. Until a site assessment provides better information, treat intact grassland bald habitat and associated ground cover as potential breeding habitat.

  • Native grass tussocks and their bases.
  • Leaf litter, fallen timber and rocks.
  • Sheltered ground within open grassland and along its margins.
  • Undisturbed patches connected to known or suspected records.

Breeding habitat: Before clearing

Complete a pre-clearing inspection and ensure the fauna spotter catcher understands the species risk. Mark habitat that can be retained and stage clearing so animals can move away from the immediate work area where appropriate.

  • Check the footprint, access routes and temporary work areas.
  • Remove hazards such as materials and equipment from retained habitat.
  • Stop and seek ecological advice if an animal, nest-like feature or concentrated use of habitat is found.

Breeding habitat: Queensland protection

In Queensland, the Bunya sunskink is near threatened and is protected wildlife. Tampering with its breeding place requires a species management program, so project approvals and fauna procedures should be checked before disturbance.

  • Do not disturb a suspected breeding place without confirming the legal and approval pathway.
  • Keep records of sightings, habitat disturbance and any fauna management actions.
  • Use a project-specific management response where breeding habitat may be affected.

Sheltering habitat: Cover features to inspect

Sheltering and roosting features have not been documented for the Bunya sunskink. For field purposes, focus on ground-level cover that can conceal a small terrestrial skink and retain it wherever practicable.

Inspect cover within open grassland and at the interface with surrounding vegetation. These features may also be used as daytime refuge or escape cover, even where their specific use by this species has not been confirmed.

  • Dense grass tussocks.
  • Leaf litter and fallen vegetation.
  • Rocks and small logs.
  • Shaded edges and protected ground beside grassland openings.

Sheltering habitat: Clearing controls

Use a staged, low-impact approach in suitable habitat. Avoid broad scraping or unnecessary removal of ground cover before the spotter catcher has checked the area.

  • Clearly mark no-go habitat and retained cover.
  • Keep machinery out of retained grassland and refuge areas.
  • Inspect cleared vegetation, moved rocks and logs before they are stacked or removed.
  • Avoid trapping animals between active clearing fronts and barriers.

Sheltering habitat: If a skink is found

Pause work around the animal and allow the fauna spotter catcher to assess it. Do not chase, injure or handle the animal unless handling is authorised and necessary for its welfare or an approved relocation response.

  • Photograph the animal where possible without delaying safe work controls.
  • Record the location and immediate habitat features.
  • Follow the project's approved fauna handling and release procedure.
  • Recheck the work area after the animal has moved or an authorised response is complete.

Threats: Clearing and construction

The main work site risks are loss of open grassland habitat, removal of ground cover and disturbance during clearing. The species is poorly known, so avoid treating a lack of records as evidence that a site is unoccupied.

Clearing, grading, trenching, road formation and compound establishment can remove grassland bald habitat and refuge cover. Construction activity can also kill animals sheltering beneath vegetation, rocks or timber.

  • Keep the disturbance footprint as small as practicable.
  • Retain native grassland and connected ground cover.
  • Use pre-clearing inspections and fauna spotter catcher supervision.
  • Prevent vehicles and materials from spreading into retained habitat.

Threats: Fire and vegetation change

The Bunya Mountains grassland bald ecosystems are subject to vegetation change, including encroachment by woodland or rainforest plants. Fire is used in some areas to manage this ecosystem, but the effect of fire management on the Bunya sunskink is not established.

  • Plan fire and slashing with the land manager and project ecologist.
  • Avoid unplanned burns, hot works and fuel loads near suitable habitat.
  • Retain refuge patches during vegetation management where practicable.
  • Monitor occupied or high quality habitat after fire or major vegetation works.

Threats: Weeds and introduced animals

The wider national park faces pressures from feral animals and weeds. These pressures can alter grassland structure, reduce ground cover and increase disturbance around occupied habitat.

  • Prevent soil and weed movement between work areas.
  • Keep washdown and hygiene controls in place.
  • Report signs of feral animal activity in or near retained habitat.
  • Use weed control methods that minimise damage to native grassland and shelter features.

Threats: Precautionary management

A near threatened listing calls for a higher level of planning than routine reptile risk management. Confirm the relevant Queensland approvals and species management requirements before clearing where suitable habitat or a breeding place may be affected.

  • Use current WildNet and site survey information together.
  • Treat new records as a trigger for review of the work method and exclusion areas.
  • Document decisions, sightings, fauna handling and habitat retained.
  • Stop work and obtain ecological advice if a suspected breeding place is encountered.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The Bunya sunskink is a poorly known Queensland endemic associated with open natural grassland balds in the Bunya Mountains area. Use several complementary methods and treat a failure to detect the species as inconclusive, especially where suitable ground cover remains.

Search WildNet, WetlandMaps, local government records, protected area records and recent ecological reports before planning the survey.

Check the Bunya Mountains area and any mapped natural grassland balds, rocky margins, fallen timber and other areas with suitable ground-level shelter.

WildNet contains 19 records for the Southeast Queensland bioregion, with the last recorded sighting on 12 December 2015. Records are not proof that a species is present or absent from a site.

Queensland status: Near threatened

Australian distribution: Queensland endemic

Known habitat: Open natural grassland balds in the Bunya Mountains area

  • Map all records, habitat patches, proposed clearing, access tracks and likely refuge areas.
  • Confirm the current scientific name, conservation status and any changes to the mapped project footprint before fieldwork.

Survey methodology: 2. Day searches in suitable habitat

Search during suitable daylight conditions when skinks are likely to bask or move through open ground. Warm, settled conditions are generally more useful than cold, wet, windy or very hot conditions.

Walk slowly through grassland balds and along edges of rocks, logs, leaf litter and dense ground cover. Pause often and scan ahead, then check likely shelter sites carefully.

Use repeated visits when the habitat is suitable but no animals are detected. Set the timing and number of visits with the project ecologist, based on habitat quality, proposed disturbance and survey constraints.

  • Search all habitat strata at ground level, including grass tussocks, fallen timber, rocks, bark, leaf litter and the edges of tracks or clearings.
  • Avoid trampling grassland balds and replace any moved cover immediately after inspection.
  • Do not rely on a single walkover survey for a near threatened species.

Survey methodology: 3. Targeted refuge and trapping methods

Where a visual search is unlikely to provide adequate coverage, consider carefully managed artificial refuge searches or live trapping. Use these methods only under an approved survey design and the relevant fauna permits.

Use cover objects or other refuges only where they will not damage the grassland bald or alter drainage. Inspect them regularly and remove them when the survey ends.

Pitfall or funnel trapping may be suitable in some projects, but requires experienced staff, appropriate weather safeguards, shade, checking frequency and animal welfare controls.

  • Obtain approval before trapping, handling or retaining any animal.
  • Stop trapping during unsafe weather or when animal welfare cannot be maintained.
  • Release animals at the point of capture unless an approved relocation plan applies.

Survey methodology: 4. Records and evidence

Record every detection and each survey effort, including negative searches. Photograph animals only when this can be done without stress or excessive handling.

Record the observer, date, start and finish time, weather, search method, area covered, habitat condition, exact location, animal count, behaviour and apparent age class.

Record shelter features, possible breeding evidence, injuries, handling, release location and any disturbance observed.

  • Take a GPS point or mapped location for each detection and photograph the habitat context.
  • Keep trap checks, weather observations, animal welfare checks and permit details with the project file.
  • Have an experienced herpetologist confirm uncertain identifications.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Confirm approvals and responsibilities

Plan the work around avoidance first. The Bunya sunskink is near threatened in Queensland, and the species is poorly known, so retain suitable grassland bald habitat and ground refuges wherever practicable.

Have the project ecologist confirm whether the action may affect a matter protected under the EPBC Act. The Bunya sunskink has no EPBC listing recorded, but other species, ecological communities or project impacts may still require an EPBC referral.

Check Queensland requirements under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 before clearing, handling or relocating animals. Near threatened animals are protected wildlife.

Obtain a Queensland species management program where the work may tamper with the species' breeding place. Confirm any other protected wildlife, scientific, rehabilitation or transport permits before work starts.

  • Nominate the permit holder, fauna spotter catcher and environmental superintendent in writing.
  • Place permit conditions, approved methods and stop work requirements in the construction environmental management plan.
  • Do not assume that a general clearing approval permits handling or relocation of this species.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoid and retain habitat

Redesign the footprint to avoid natural grassland balds and connected patches of native ground cover. Retain rocks, logs, leaf litter, tussocks and other likely shelters.

Keep vehicles, laydown areas, spoil, washdown water and construction materials out of retained habitat.

Set buffers around retained habitat using the ecological risk assessment, approval conditions and advice from the relevant Queensland authority. Use larger buffers where the boundary is uncertain or edge effects are likely.

  • Fence and clearly mark no-go areas before machinery arrives.
  • Prevent unauthorised access, slashing, firewood collection and storage within retained habitat.
  • Control runoff, sediment, weeds and altered drainage before they reach retained grassland bald habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Complete a pre-clearance survey

Complete a targeted survey shortly before clearing, using the approved methods and suitable weather conditions. Reinspect areas where the habitat has changed since the initial assessment.

Search the full clearing footprint, access routes, stockpile areas and any proposed relocation sites. Give particular attention to open grassland, ground cover and shelter features.

There is no established species-specific breeding season or migration period to use for scheduling. Treat all seasons as potentially sensitive and follow any breeding evidence or permit conditions found during the assessment.

  • Do not clear until the ecologist has reviewed the survey results and confirmed the work area.
  • Mark detected animals, shelter sites and possible breeding places on the clearing plan.
  • Where breeding evidence is found, stop the affected activity and obtain advice before proceeding.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Induct the workforce

Give all workers a short site induction before clearing. Explain the species' near threatened status, its appearance if known, retained habitat and the stop work process.

Show workers the no-go areas, exclusion fencing, access routes and location of the fauna handling station.

Make clear that workers must not catch, move, injure, feed or collect a Bunya sunskink.

  • Provide the fauna spotter catcher's name and contact details to every work crew.
  • Require workers to report any reptile, shelter site, nest, eggs or unusual animal behaviour immediately.
  • Include hygiene controls to reduce the spread of weeds, pathogens and soil between habitat patches.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Clear in stages

Use a slow, staged clearing process with an authorised fauna spotter catcher present. The spotter catcher must have authority to stop work whenever an animal, breeding place or unexpected habitat risk is found.

Clear from the disturbed edge towards retained habitat so animals have an opportunity to move into safe areas. Work at a speed that allows the spotter catcher to inspect the next section before machinery enters it.

Remove ground cover and small debris progressively and inspect each item before it is moved. Avoid crushing logs, rocks, tussocks or leaf litter that may shelter animals.

Keep machinery out of retained habitat and stop if visibility, noise, dust or weather prevents effective fauna supervision.

  • Use hand clearing around dense ground cover, rocks and logs where practical.
  • Separate cleared material from retained habitat and do not push it into no-go areas.
  • Recheck the work area after breaks, overnight shutdowns and changes in the clearing sequence.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop work for animals and breeding places

Stop work in the immediate area if a Bunya sunskink is found. Allow the animal to move away where safe, or have it handled by an authorised person under the approved method.

Stop work and protect the area if an active breeding place, eggs, juveniles or repeated use of a shelter is found. Do not disturb, excavate, fill or relocate the site until the permit holder or ecologist confirms the lawful response.

Treat any uncertain cavity, shelter or concentration of animals as potentially significant until assessed.

  • Mark an exclusion area around the find and keep machinery and workers out.
  • Contact the project ecologist and permit holder before restarting work.
  • Apply the Queensland species management program and any approval conditions to breeding place disturbance.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handle and relocate animals safely

Only an authorised, suitably trained person may capture, handle or relocate a Bunya sunskink. Use the least intrusive method and minimise handling time.

Keep the animal shaded, secure and cool while awaiting release or veterinary assessment. Do not place animals in containers exposed to sun, vibration, exhaust or chemicals.

Release a healthy animal only under the approved relocation plan, in suitable nearby habitat that is safe from active machinery.

  • Do not move an animal across roads, into unsuitable habitat or outside the approved release area.
  • Do not use adhesives, chemicals or unapproved repellents to remove an animal.
  • Record capture, condition, handling, release location and the person responsible.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Manage injured or dead animals

Stop work and protect the animal from further injury. Keep people and machinery clear while the fauna spotter catcher assesses it.

Place an injured animal in a secure, ventilated and appropriately labelled container only if the authorised person considers this safe. Contact the approved wildlife carer, veterinarian or rehabilitation provider named in the project procedure.

Record and report any death, injury or suspected fauna strike under the project incident process.

  • Do not give food, water or medication unless directed by a qualified wildlife professional.
  • Photograph the location and hazard where this can be done without delaying treatment.
  • Review the clearing method before work resumes.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Complete post-clearance checks

Finish each clearing stage with a documented check and a clear handover. Use the results to improve later stages and to identify whether retained habitat remains suitable.

Have the fauna spotter catcher and ecologist inspect the cleared area, retained edges, stockpiles, trenches and machinery access routes before the area is signed off.

Check for live animals, injured animals, carcasses, eggs, juveniles, damaged shelter sites and unplanned encroachment into retained habitat.

Close or cover trenches and pits as soon as practicable, and inspect them before backfilling or at the frequency required by the project approval.

  • Do not declare an area complete until all fauna risks have been checked.
  • Repeat checks after rain, flooding, fire, major earthworks or changes to the work footprint.
  • Photograph and map any residual habitat damage.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Report and maintain records

Submit fauna records, permit returns and incident reports within the timeframes set by the approval, species management program and project environmental plan.

Provide confirmed sightings to the relevant Queensland biodiversity database or authority through the accepted reporting pathway.

Keep survey effort, clearing stages, animal handling, relocation, injuries, deaths, breeding places and corrective actions in the project file.

  • Report the date, location, habitat, number of animals, condition, action taken and people involved.
  • Record all stop work events, including events where no animal was ultimately found.
  • Update the site map and environmental controls after each stage.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Monitor relocated animals and retained habitat

Where animals have been relocated, monitor the release area according to the approved relocation plan and permit conditions. Do not assume that an animal has survived or remained in suitable habitat without follow-up evidence.

Inspect retained grassland bald habitat for trampling, weed invasion, erosion, altered drainage, fire impacts and new barriers to movement.

Use the monitoring results to adjust fencing, access, drainage, weed control and future clearing methods.

  • Use the same location and habitat descriptions at each monitoring visit so results can be compared.
  • Escalate repeated mortalities, poor habitat condition or animals returning to the work area to the project ecologist.
  • Keep monitoring records with the rehabilitation and compliance documentation.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Review the work method

Hold a short environmental review after each clearing stage and after any fauna incident. Include the spotter catcher, site supervisor, ecologist and permit holder where relevant.

Identify whether the survey timing, exclusion areas, machinery sequence, induction or handling procedure needs to change.

Update the next work stage before machinery moves, rather than waiting for the final project report.

  • Record lessons, actions, responsible people and completion dates.
  • Share changes with all crews at the next toolbox talk.
  • Suspend the activity if controls are not being followed or the risk cannot be managed under the approval.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore grassland bald habitat

Rehabilitation should restore the open structure and ground-level shelter used by the Bunya sunskink. The species' breeding requirements are not well understood, so favour natural habitat restoration over untested artificial structures.

Reinstate native grassland bald structure using local provenance material where available and approved. Retain or replace natural rocks, logs, leaf litter and tussocks that provide ground shelter.

Restore soil profiles, drainage and contours so water does not pond, scour or drain rapidly through the habitat.

Keep rehabilitation areas free from vehicle access until ground cover is established.

  • Use clean machinery and clean fill to prevent weed and pathogen spread.
  • Avoid planting dense woodland or rainforest species into open bald habitat unless required by an approved ecological restoration plan.
  • Protect rehabilitated areas from grazing, informal tracks, storage and repeated mowing.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Control weeds and fire impacts

Prepare a weed management plan for retained and rehabilitated habitat. Remove weeds by methods that do not unnecessarily disturb shelter features or compact the soil.

Coordinate fire management with the land manager and ecological adviser. The Bunya Mountains grassland balds may require planned fire management to prevent encroachment, but burning must follow the approved ecological and fauna controls.

Inspect rehabilitation after fire, weed treatment and extreme weather.

  • Use targeted weed treatment and prevent spray drift into retained ground cover.
  • Do not burn an occupied or potentially occupied area without ecological assessment and approval.
  • Record treatment dates, areas, methods and follow-up results.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Manage water, lighting and disturbance

Restore natural drainage and prevent sediment, concrete washout, hydrocarbons and other pollutants from entering habitat.

Use low-spill, directional lighting near retained or rehabilitated habitat. Switch off unnecessary lighting when work is not occurring.

Limit night works, noise, vehicle movements and public access around habitat patches where practicable.

  • Install sediment and erosion controls before earthworks begin.
  • Inspect controls after rain and repair them promptly.
  • Keep drains, pipes, pits and other fauna traps covered or fauna safe.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Use artificial structures only with evidence

Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes, artificial nest sites or roost structures as a default measure. These structures are not established replacement breeding habitat for the Bunya sunskink.

If a project ecologist identifies a genuine need for an artificial refuge or breeding structure, trial it only under an approved design with monitoring and adaptive management.

Prioritise replacement of natural ground shelters, native grass cover and connected habitat over elevated boxes or roost structures.

  • Obtain approval before placing, moving or monitoring any artificial structure.
  • Record design, materials, location, installation date, inspection results and use by fauna.
  • Remove unsuccessful or unsafe structures when the ecologist and land manager agree that they are no longer useful.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Monitor rehabilitation over time

Monitor vegetation cover, shelter features, weeds, erosion, fire impacts and Bunya sunskink use at intervals set by the rehabilitation plan and approval conditions.

Use repeat searches in suitable weather and record both detections and survey effort. Compare results with nearby retained habitat where possible.

Continue monitoring until the area is stable, protected from ongoing disturbance and meeting the agreed rehabilitation criteria.

  • Map each rehabilitation area and retain photographs from fixed locations.
  • Investigate any decline in ground cover, shelter or sightings with the project ecologist.
  • Report monitoring outcomes to the land manager and relevant authority where required.

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