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Elizabeth Springs Goby (Chlamydogobius micropterus)

A small endangered freshwater goby restricted to permanent Great Artesian Basin spring wetlands at Elizabeth Springs in western Queensland. It depends on flowing spring water, shallow pools and emergent vegetation, so clearing, trampling, altered drainage and groundwater drawdown can remove or degrade its only known habitat on a project site.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Endangered.

Breeding season

Wild seasonal timing is poorly documented. Captive spawning occurs above 20°C, while juvenile presence has not been assigned a reliable seasonal pattern for Elizabeth Springs. The calendar below therefore identifies known timing where available and treats permanent spring habitat as a year-round risk area.

Months are January to December. A value of 0 indicates that a typical period is not established or not expected; 1 indicates occurrence or risk; 2 indicates peak activity. The supplied sources do not support assigning peak months.

  • Breeding: Spawning is recorded in captivity above 20°C and usually occurs at night. The supplied sources do not establish particular breeding months in the wild.
  • Young: Eggs hatch after 9 to 10 days, with larvae 5 to 6 mm long. Juvenile seasonal abundance is not established for this species.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing and construction can damage permanent spring pools, emergent vegetation and shelter at any time of year. Risk is highest whenever fish, eggs or larvae are present, and the species may occupy pools throughout the year.

Identification

The Elizabeth Springs goby is a very small fish found in shallow artesian spring pools. It is usually detected by visual observation in open water or among emergent vegetation, rather than by terrestrial signs.

The body is greyish olive on the back, becoming lighter on the sides, with a cream to white belly. Greyish white blotches may occur on the sides. Mature males become golden olive. The first dorsal fin is grey with a gold yellow distal margin and an iridescent blue spot on its posterior edge. The second dorsal, anal and caudal fins are blue grey with whitish blue margins.

  • Look for a small bottom dwelling fish in shallow spring water, usually close to emergent vegetation during daylight.
  • At night, individuals may be visible away from cover while feeding.

Identification: Size and sex differences

Adults grow to approximately 60 mm total length, with a recorded maximum of 62 mm. No body weight is provided in the supplied sources.

Mature males are more strongly coloured than females. Males become golden olive and develop more conspicuous fin colouration, while females are less intensely coloured and may retain mottled greyish or drab tones.

Total length: Approximately 60 mm, maximum recorded 62 mm

Body weight: Not reported in the supplied sources

Identification: Similar species and field signs

The species can be separated from other Chlamydogobius species by its shorter first dorsal and ventral fins and less intense colouration. Positive identification should be made by an experienced fish ecologist because other small fishes, including introduced mosquitofish, may occur in nearby artesian wetlands.

There are no reported tracks, scats, calls, nests, sloughs or eyeshine. The relevant field sign is the fish itself, observed in suitable spring pools. Visual census is an accepted survey approach for the shallow artesian spring fishes, particularly where experts can identify the species in open water.

  • Do not assume that an unoccupied or dry spring is unsuitable without checking nearby permanent pools and connected spring wetlands.
  • Record the pool location, water depth, flow condition, water clarity, emergent vegetation and any fish observed.
  • Avoid disturbing or moving fish between pools, and use specialist advice before capture or handling.

Distribution: National range

The Elizabeth Springs goby has an extremely restricted Australian distribution. It is known only from one spring group in western Queensland.

The species is restricted to Elizabeth Springs in the Springvale Springs supergroup, western Queensland. Elizabeth Springs lies beside Spring Creek, a tributary of the Diamantina River, within the Lake Eyre drainage region.

No records are provided from any other Australian state or territory. The known spring group covers approximately 1,500 m by 400 m and includes about 40 spring wetlands, although only some provide suitable fish habitat.

  • State: Queensland only.
  • Catchment context: Spring Creek and the Diamantina River catchment.
  • Spring system: Elizabeth Springs, within the Springvale Springs supergroup.

Distribution: Stronghold and subpopulations

Elizabeth Springs is the only known locality. Gobies have been recorded in individual spring pools, but occupancy varies between surveys, indicating that subpopulations may be transient.

The species was recorded in 14 spring pools during monitoring between January 1994 and October 1997 and in May 2002. It was present in only five pools at every systematic survey, but was recorded in all 14 pools during the May 2002 survey. Dispersal between spring groups may occur during flooding or heavy rainfall.

Known localities: One spring group, Elizabeth Springs

Spring pools occupied during monitoring: 14 pools recorded between 1994 and 2002; five pools were occupied at every systematic survey

Area of Elizabeth Springs group: Approximately 1,500 m by 400 m

Distribution: Population size and trend

The total population was estimated at approximately 1,000 to 2,000 adults in January 1994 and approximately 600 to 1,000 adults in October 1995. A continuing decline was noted in 1998, although no estimate was made then. The presence of all previously recorded subpopulations in May 2002 suggested that the population was not then in decline.

January 1994 estimate: Approximately 1,000 to 2,000 adults

October 1995 estimate: Approximately 600 to 1,000 adults

1998 and 2002 observations: A continuing decline was noted in 1998; all previously recorded subpopulations were present in May 2002

Habitat: Wetland setting

The species is confined to permanent groundwater-fed spring wetlands. It requires shallow open water within larger springs and is associated with emergent wetland vegetation.

Habitat critical to survival is defined as all permanent spring-fed wetlands with a Great Artesian Basin groundwater source within a 5 km radius of Elizabeth Springs.

Elizabeth Springs includes dry or non-flowing mounds, vegetated marshy soaks, small pools among marshy vegetation, and well-vegetated springs with short, defined outflows. Gobies occur in some of the larger springs where water is deeper than approximately 5 mm, with other information indicating depths greater than 10 mm.

  • Treat all permanent GAB-fed wetlands within 5 km of Elizabeth Springs as potential habitat until assessed by a suitably qualified aquatic ecologist.
  • Map individual pools, spring vents, outflows, marshy soaks and areas of emergent vegetation before works begin.

Habitat: Vegetation and structure

Spring vegetation ranges from tussocks dominated by Fimbristylis species, Eragrostis fenshamii and Pennisetum alopecuroides to vegetated mats including Cyperus laevigatus and Eriocaulon carsonii.

During daylight, gobies shelter near or among emergent vegetation. Open pools, shallow water, cover at the water edge and short flowing outflows are therefore important habitat features.

  • Protect emergent vegetation, vegetated margins, shallow pools and spring outflows from clearing, vehicle access and sediment deposition.
  • Maintain water connections between occupied pools where these occur within the spring wetland.

Habitat: Climate and hydrology

The local climate is arid. Mean annual rainfall at the nearest long-term climate station, Boulia, is 262 mm, and average daily evaporation is 9.8 mm.

Elizabeth Springs is aligned with the Burke River Structure, which provides a groundwater pathway through the overlying sediments. Historical spring flows declined substantially during the pastoral period, with estimates declining from 53 litres per second in 1896 to 9 to 13 litres per second between 1951 and 2002.

Mean annual rainfall at Boulia: 262 mm

Average daily evaporation at Boulia: 9.8 mm

Historical Elizabeth Springs flow estimates: 53 L/s in 1896, declining to 9 to 13 L/s between 1951 and 2002

  • Treat changes to groundwater levels, spring discharge, drainage or surface water quality as potential habitat impacts.
  • Do not rely on rainfall or temporary surface water to replace permanent spring flow.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The Elizabeth Springs goby appears to feed mainly on algae and may also take small planktonic crustaceans. Feeding occurs in and around shallow spring pools, with more activity away from cover at night.

The long, coiled intestine suggests that the species is primarily herbivorous, with algae likely to form an important part of its natural diet. Captive fish have also been observed eating small planktonic crustaceans, and another source describes the species as probably omnivorous.

  • Retain algal growth, clear spring water and shallow aquatic habitat when assessing impacts on feeding areas.
  • Prevent sediment, pollutants and stock disturbance from degrading the water and aquatic vegetation used for feeding.

Foraging habitat: Feeding locations and behaviour

During daylight, gobies shelter near or among emergent vegetation. At night they may move some distance from cover and are apparently foraging in open water.

No foraging range or home-range measurement is available. Because the species occupies individual spring pools and may disperse between spring groups during flooding or heavy rainfall, survey and impact assessment should consider the whole connected spring wetland rather than only one pool.

Measured foraging range: Not reported in the supplied sources

Likely food: Algae and small planktonic crustaceans

  • Inspect open water, vegetated margins and short outflows during aquatic surveys.
  • Include nocturnal observations where daytime surveys do not resolve presence or habitat use.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding information comes from captive populations. Wild spawning sites have not been identified, so all suitable permanent spring pools with cover should be treated as potential breeding habitat.

Spawning has been recorded at temperatures above 20°C. The male selects a site, often beneath a rock, attracts a female with fin displays and jerky swimming, and guides her to the site. Spawning usually occurs at night and lasts about one hour.

The male guards the eggs, which are attached to the ceiling of a cave or similar enclosed surface. Newly hatched larvae are 5 to 6 mm long.

Breeding temperature: Above 20°C in captive populations

Spawning time: Usually at night; approximately one hour

Eggs per spawning event: Approximately 40 to 100

Egg attachment site: Ceiling of a cave or sheltered underside, often beneath a rock

Egg development: Hatching commences after 9 to 10 days and may continue over several days

Age at maturity: Not reported for the Elizabeth Springs goby

Lifespan: Not reported for the Elizabeth Springs goby

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Potential breeding habitat includes warm, permanent spring pools with water deeper than approximately 5 to 10 mm, emergent vegetation and small sheltered surfaces beneath rocks or other cover. Wild spawning sites have not been located.

Construction, excavation, dewatering, sediment entry and removal of rocks or emergent vegetation may affect breeding sites even when fish are not seen during a daytime inspection.

  • Avoid disturbing shallow pools, rock cover, undercut edges and emergent vegetation within permanent springs.
  • Have a qualified aquatic ecologist assess any proposed works near GAB-fed wetlands before disturbance.

Sheltering habitat: Day shelter

The species shelters in shallow spring water close to emergent vegetation during daylight. It may also use enclosed or overhung surfaces for spawning and egg guarding.

During daylight, gobies shelter near or among emergent vegetation in permanent spring pools. Juvenile sheltering sites are not separately described, but shallow vegetated areas are likely to be used by young fish because the species occupies very shallow water.

  • Keep emergent vegetation, shallow margins and open water connected during clearing and construction.
  • Exclude vehicles, stock and machinery from spring pools and wetland margins.

Sheltering habitat: Sheltered spawning sites

Males select sheltered spawning sites, often beneath a rock, and guard eggs attached to the ceiling of a cave or similar enclosed surface. The dimensions and availability of wild refuges have not been reported.

  • Do not remove rocks, undercut banks or other submerged cover from occupied or potentially occupied spring pools.
  • Do not enter pools to inspect suspected shelter or spawning sites unless the work is authorised and supervised by a qualified aquatic ecologist.

Sheltering habitat: Flood and movement refuge

The sources suggest that gobies may disperse between spring groups during flooding or heavy rainfall. This indicates that connected wetland areas may provide temporary movement habitat, although the species remains restricted to suitable permanent spring environments.

  • Maintain natural surface connections and avoid barriers that isolate spring pools during works.
  • Inspect nearby connected pools after heavy rainfall or flooding if a project may affect spring habitat.

Threats: Groundwater and spring-flow change

The main risks are loss of spring flow, damage to shallow pools and vegetation, and disturbance by stock or feral animals. Because the known range is confined to one spring group, local impacts can affect a substantial proportion of the species.

Groundwater extraction has reduced artesian pressure and spring discharge across the Great Artesian Basin. At Elizabeth Springs, flow estimates declined from 53 litres per second in 1896 to 9 to 13 litres per second between 1951 and 2002. Another source reports a decline from an estimated 158 litres per second to less than 5 litres per second, indicating substantial historical loss of flow.

Reduced flow can remove open water, shrink pools and alter the permanent wetland habitat required by the goby.

  • Assess groundwater drawdown, bore operation, dewatering and changes to spring discharge before approval of works.
  • Do not use project water supplies or drainage arrangements that could reduce GAB spring flow.

Threats: Clearing, excavation and construction

Excavation of spring mounds, removal of emergent vegetation, filling of pools, sediment entry and changes to surface drainage can destroy or alter habitat. The species depends on permanent spring-fed wetlands within a very small known area.

Roads, access tracks and construction pads can cause direct loss, isolate pools, increase turbidity and alter overland flow into spring wetlands.

  • Avoid clearing or excavating permanent spring wetlands and their outflows.
  • Establish no-go areas around pools, vents, emergent vegetation and wetland margins before mobilisation.
  • Use sediment and erosion controls that prevent turbid runoff entering spring water.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, fuels and concrete washout away from spring wetlands.

Threats: Stock and feral animal disturbance

Before fencing, cattle trampled and polluted the springs. Stock and feral animals can disturb vegetation, increase turbidity and damage shallow pools. Elizabeth Springs was fenced in 1993, and maintaining the fence and controlling feral animals remain important management actions.

  • Maintain exclusion fencing and provide alternative stock water where relevant.
  • Prevent construction access by cattle, pigs and other feral animals.
  • Inspect fences and wetland margins after works and after flood events.

Threats: Introduced fish and other pressures

Mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, have been recorded from nearby waterways and are identified as a species requiring regular monitoring around Elizabeth Springs. The supplied sources do not describe confirmed disease impacts for the Elizabeth Springs goby.

Fire, fragmentation and disease are not specifically documented as primary threats for this species in the supplied sources. Fire may still affect surrounding wetland vegetation, so project fire planning should prevent uncontrolled fire from entering spring wetlands.

  • Do not release, transfer or introduce fish, water, sediment or aquatic equipment between spring pools without appropriate decontamination and approval.
  • Include checks for mosquitofish where project works could connect Elizabeth Springs to nearby waterways.
  • Manage weeds, fire and access so that emergent wetland vegetation and water quality are retained.

Survey methodology: 1. Confirm habitat and survey scope

Elizabeth Springs gobies are restricted to permanent Great Artesian Basin spring-fed wetlands at Elizabeth Springs, western Queensland. Survey the open water and emergent vegetation of suitable springs before any activity that could alter flow, water quality, wetland area or access to the habitat.

Map all permanent spring-fed wetlands, pools and short outflows within the project area and within 5 km of Elizabeth Springs, where relevant.

Include areas that could be affected indirectly by groundwater extraction, drainage, earthworks, turbidity, stock access or altered surface flow.

Record spring condition, surface water, water depth, flow, emergent vegetation, turbidity and connections between pools.

Elizabeth Springs comprises about 40 spring wetlands across an area of about 1,500 m by 400 m, but gobies occur only in some of the larger springs. Suitable springs have permanent water and are generally deeper than 10 mm, with the recovery plan also identifying water deeper than 5 mm as suitable habitat.

Survey methodology: 2. Visual census

Use an experienced freshwater fish ecologist familiar with Queensland artesian spring fishes to inspect each suitable pool and outflow visually.

Search open water and the edges of emergent vegetation during daylight, because gobies shelter near or among emergent vegetation at that time and may be visible in the open water.

Inspect shallow water carefully, as spring water is generally less than 10 cm deep and the species may occupy only larger pools.

Record the number of fish seen, search area, water depth, water temperature if measured, vegetation cover, water clarity and the location of every detection.

Use photographs and field notes to support identification and avoid disturbing the spring substrate or vegetation.

  • Survey all suitable pools rather than relying on a single detection point, because gobies were recorded in 14 pools during monitoring, but were present in only five pools at every systematic survey.
  • Treat a non-detection as inconclusive where water is turbid, vegetation is dense, flow is reduced or the pool is dry.

Survey methodology: 3. Repeat visits and conditions

The survey guideline does not nominate a best time of day, season, number of nights or fixed survey effort for this species.

Plan repeat visual searches where the first visit is inconclusive, where suitable pools are difficult to inspect, or where the project could affect a known or potential population.

Dry conditions are likely to provide better site access than wet conditions, but the survey guideline does not specify a preferred month or minimum number of repeat visits.

Record the date, start and finish time, weather, recent rainfall, access conditions, pool condition and observer effort for every visit.

  • Do not substitute nocturnal spotlighting, trapping or electrofishing for the recommended visual census unless an appropriately authorised fish ecologist selects and documents the method.
  • Obtain approval before capturing, handling or relocating any fish.

Survey methodology: 4. Identification and recording

Identify the fish as Chlamydogobius micropterus using an experienced observer, because other small gobies and introduced eastern gambusia may occur in Queensland artesian springs.

Elizabeth Springs gobies grow to about 60 to 62 mm total length and have shorter first dorsal and ventral fins and less intense colouration than other Chlamydogobius species.

Record the precise spring, pool or outflow location, preferably with coordinates, and distinguish a confirmed detection from an unconfirmed observation.

Submit confirmed records and survey results to the relevant Queensland wildlife or biodiversity database and to the project approval authority where required.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use a qualified fish ecologist to inspect every suitable permanent spring pool and outflow in the project area and all connected habitat that could be affected.
  • Repeat the visual census when conditions prevent a reliable inspection or when a non-detection would affect the work decision.
  • Map the searched area and every detection or non-detection location.
  • Report survey dates, observers, methods, effort, conditions, water depth, spring flow, habitat condition, photographs, coordinates and identification confidence.
  • Submit records to the relevant Queensland wildlife database and provide records to the Commonwealth where the activity may affect an EPBC Act listed species.
  • Keep copies of permits, raw field sheets, photographs, maps and fauna handling records with the project environmental file.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat permanent GAB spring wetlands as occupied or potentially occupied habitat until an appropriate survey shows otherwise. The species is nationally and Queensland listed as endangered and is known from no other locality than Elizabeth Springs.

Known range: Elizabeth Springs, Springvale Springs supergroup, western Queensland

Habitat area identified in the recovery plan: Permanent spring-fed wetlands with a GAB groundwater source within 5 km of Elizabeth Springs

Elizabeth Springs group: About 40 spring wetlands across about 1,500 m by 400 m

  • Avoid clearing, excavation, filling, drainage, vehicle access and water diversion within permanent spring-fed wetlands and their short outflows.
  • Retain all open water pools, marshy soaks, emergent vegetation and natural connections between spring pools.
  • Prevent groundwater drawdown, bore interference and changes to spring flow, because reduced artesian pressure has reduced Elizabeth Springs flows and caused habitat loss.
  • Keep works, spoil, stock, machinery washdown and sediment runoff away from the spring wetland and its groundwater discharge points.
  • Maintain connectivity between occupied and suitable pools, because sub-populations may be transient and dispersal may occur during flooding or heavy rainfall.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

  • Check the EPBC Act before work starts, because the Elizabeth Springs goby is listed as endangered nationally.
  • Check Queensland Nature Conservation Act requirements, protected wildlife permits and any approvals for capture, handling, relocation, water extraction or work in a conservation park.
  • Obtain ecological advice before changing bores, groundwater use, drainage, flow paths or water quality near a spring.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies no-go areas, survey findings, exclusion measures, authorised handlers, stop-work triggers, incident contacts and reporting requirements.
  • Stage works so that disturbance is confined to the smallest practicable area and so that occupied pools and outflows remain undisturbed.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete the pre-clearance survey before machinery, pumps, earthworks or access tracks enter the project area.
  • Mark occupied pools, suitable pools, spring vents, outflows, emergent vegetation and no-go buffers on plans and on the ground.
  • Fence or otherwise exclude stock, machinery and unauthorised access where fencing can be installed without damaging the spring wetland.
  • Provide alternative stock water where stock exclusion is required, because trampling and pollution by cattle have damaged these springs.
  • Brief all workers and fauna spotter catchers on the species, its size, habitat, handling restrictions and the requirement to stop work when a fish or suitable habitat is found.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls

Keep machinery and sediment away from spring water and maintain a clear decision pathway between the fauna spotter catcher, site supervisor and operator. A fauna spotter catcher must not authorise an activity that requires a wildlife or other statutory permit.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing, no-go markers, sediment controls, pumps, drains and access routes before work begins each day.
  • Keep machinery, fuels, chemicals, spoil and wash water out of spring pools, outflows and emergent vegetation.
  • Prevent turbid runoff and accidental drainage into the wetland, and stop pumping or earthworks if water level, flow or clarity changes unexpectedly.
  • Use designated access routes and keep vehicles out of shallow pools, marshy soaks and short outflows.
  • Have the fauna spotter catcher and site supervisor confirm the daily work area before machinery moves.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna spotter catcher and machinery

  • The fauna spotter catcher should inspect the active work area and adjacent spring habitat immediately before disturbance and remain able to communicate directly with the machinery operator.
  • The machinery operator must stop immediately when directed by the fauna spotter catcher or environmental officer.
  • Do not chase, net, handle or relocate a goby unless the person is authorised under the relevant Queensland permit and the approved fauna management plan.
  • Use wet hands and minimise contact if authorised handling is required, because threatened freshwater fish are sensitive to stress and handling can damage fish.
  • Move an authorisedly relocated fish only to nearby retained suitable habitat approved by the ecologist and permit, and do not release it into an unassessed pool.

During habitat disturbance: Finds, injury and stop-work triggers

  • Stop work and protect the location if an Elizabeth Springs goby is found, if a fish cannot be identified, or if suitable permanent spring habitat is discovered unexpectedly.
  • Keep people, machinery and sediment away from the pool until the fish ecologist and environmental officer decide whether work can resume.
  • Record the fish location, habitat condition, photographs where this can be done without disturbance, action taken and the names of authorised personnel.
  • Send an injured fish to an approved aquatic wildlife facility or veterinarian through the authorised wildlife response pathway, and do not retain it on site without approval.
  • Stop work for any spill, uncontrolled sediment discharge, unexpected loss of spring flow, wetland dewatering, damaged exclusion fence or entry of machinery into a no-go area.
  • Notify the project manager and relevant approval authority of a listed species impact, injury, death or unauthorised handling event.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

The end of earthworks does not end the risk. Check that spring flow, water quality, pool habitat and exclusion controls have been maintained, and document any effect on the listed population or its habitat.

  • Inspect all affected and retained spring pools, outflows and emergent vegetation after each work stage and again before demobilisation.
  • Check for fish mortality, stranded fish, sediment deposition, turbidity, reduced flow, altered water depth, damaged vegetation, vehicle tracks and chemical contamination.
  • Remove temporary materials, spoil and waste without entering or draining the spring wetland.
  • Repair exclusion fencing, markers, sediment controls and access barriers before the site is left unattended.
  • Complete a final walkover with the fish ecologist and compare conditions with the pre-work photographs, maps and flow records.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor occupied and retained suitable pools using repeat visual census where required by the approval, fauna management plan or ecologist.
  • Record fish detections, pool condition, water depth, flow, water clarity, vegetation condition, pest fish observations and any disturbance at each monitoring visit.
  • Maintain monitoring for the period specified in the approval, and continue until habitat condition and spring flow meet the agreed completion criteria.
  • Report any new detection, injury, death, habitat loss, flow reduction or water quality incident to the project environmental officer and relevant government authority.
  • Submit final survey and monitoring records to the relevant Queensland wildlife database and retain the records with the EPBC Act compliance file.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and residual impacts

  • Reassess the activity if it has reduced spring flow, damaged permanent wetland habitat or affected an occupied pool.
  • Obtain advice on EPBC Act approval, offset or other compensation requirements where impacts cannot be avoided or minimised.
  • Do not treat a captive population or a different spring group as a substitute for protecting Elizabeth Springs habitat, because the species is known from a single locality.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore spring habitat

Rehabilitation must restore permanent spring wetland function, not just ground cover. Prioritise spring flow, open shallow pools, clean water, emergent vegetation and connections between retained pools.

Elizabeth Springs vegetation: Vegetation includes tussocks such as Fimbristylis species and Eragrostis fenshamii, and mats such as Cyperus laevigatus and Eriocaulon carsonii

Species habitat: Permanent spring-fed wetlands with open water and emergent vegetation

  • Use a spring hydrogeologist and wetland ecologist to design any repair to vents, pools, outflows, drainage lines or groundwater infrastructure.
  • Restore natural water movement and prevent further reduction in artesian flow by repairing or controlling project-related bores, drains and diversions.
  • Re-form shallow open pools and short defined outflows only where this reflects the natural spring form and does not disturb occupied habitat.
  • Re-establish local emergent wetland vegetation using suitable local provenance plants, including species recorded at Elizabeth Springs such as Eriocaulon carsonii, Eragrostis fenshamii and Myriophyllum artesium where appropriate to the site.
  • Do not plant trees or terrestrial cover over open spring pools, outflows or emergent wetland vegetation.

Rehabilitation actions: Protect restored habitat

  • Fence restored pools and outflows where stock or feral animals could trample, pollute or increase turbidity.
  • Provide alternative stock water and maintain exclusion fencing so animals cannot enter the restored wetland.
  • Control invasive or predatory fish, including monitoring for eastern gambusia, through an approved Queensland management programme.
  • Control weeds and prevent construction materials, sediment and nutrient runoff from entering the spring.
  • Use fire management appropriate to the spring wetland vegetation and approval conditions, and do not burn occupied pools or their emergent margins without ecological advice.

Rehabilitation actions: Success measures and monitoring

  • Set measurable completion criteria for permanent surface water, spring flow, pool area, water clarity, emergent vegetation cover, absence of construction impacts and continued goby presence where the site is occupied.
  • Repeat visual fish surveys at retained and rehabilitated pools using the approved monitoring design.
  • Compare post-rehabilitation water depth, flow, habitat area and vegetation condition with baseline records.
  • Investigate any loss of fish detections, reduced flow, increasing turbidity, stock access, weed spread or pest fish detection and adjust management promptly.
  • Keep rehabilitation photographs, maps, survey results, maintenance records and database submissions for the duration of the approval and monitoring period.

Sources