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Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard (Aprasia pseudopulchella)

The Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard is a very small, legless, fossorial lizard found only in South Australia, from the Flinders and Mount Lofty Ranges south to the foothills north of Adelaide. It uses native grassland, open woodland, riparian habitat and rocky sites, often beneath surface stones on clay or stony soils, so clearing, rock removal, soil compaction and disturbance can affect both the lizard and its ant and termite prey.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

Reliable breeding months are not recorded for the Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard. For planning in its temperate South Australian range, use the general pygopodid pattern of spring mating, summer egg laying and incubation through late summer and autumn. Retain rocky, loose-soil habitat throughout the year because animals, eggs and young may be below the surface or under shelters.

Reproductive mode: Oviparous, egg laying.

Clutch size: Two eggs.

Incubation: Species-specific duration not recorded. Known incubation periods for pygopodids generally are 66 to 77 days.

Size at hatching: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Nest or egg sites: Species-specific sites are not confirmed. Eggs may be in moist, sheltered locations such as beneath rocks or in rotting wood; undisturbed loose soil, rocks and ant or termite habitat should be treated as potential breeding habitat.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded.

Confirm timing locally before works, especially after rainfall and during warm periods, because moisture and soil temperature influence emergence and activity.

  • Mating: Species-specific mating months are not recorded. The general pattern for temperate pygopodids is mating in spring, so September to November is used for planning.
  • Gravid females: Gravid females have not been documented for this species. This period is inferred from the general spring mating to summer egg-laying pattern, with females potentially carrying eggs from September to December.
  • Egg laying: Species-specific egg-laying months are not recorded. Temperate pygopodids generally lay in summer, so December is marked as the start of the likely period, extending through January and February.
  • Incubation: The species-specific incubation period is not recorded. Using the general pygopodid range of 66 to 77 days, eggs laid from December to February may remain in soil or sheltered sites from December to April.
  • Hatchlings: Hatching and juvenile emergence are not recorded for this species. A 66 to 77 day incubation after summer laying places the likely emergence period from February to May, depending on laying date and soil temperature.
  • Active period: The species is primarily fossorial and species-specific activity months are not recorded. Existing survey guidance indicates the most productive search period is spring and early summer, particularly after rainfall, with peak surface activity used here for November and December.
  • Winter inactivity: Brumation and hibernation are not recorded for this species. In the temperate Flinders Ranges, use June to August as a precautionary low-activity period when animals may remain under rocks or in soil, although occasional surface activity can occur on warm days after rain.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing risk applies in every month because rock removal, soil compaction and loss of ant or termite habitat can destroy shelters or animals below ground. Breeding-related risks may increase from spring through autumn, but no species-specific peak has been confirmed.

Identification

This is a small, smooth-bodied, legless lizard that is usually found under rocks rather than moving in the open. Detection is difficult because it spends most of its time below the surface or beneath shelter.

The body is worm-like and legless, with poorly developed hindlimb flaps. The head is dark brown and merges into a pale grey or grey-brown body. The rear half of the tail is reddish brown, with dark longitudinal bars on the dorsal scales of the tail and part of the body.

Body form: Very small, legless and worm-like, with poorly developed hindlimb flaps

Maximum supplied size: 155 mm snout to vent length

  • Treat a small legless reptile found beneath a surface stone as a potential Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard until it has been identified by a suitably experienced person.
  • Record the exact shelter location, substrate, vegetation, rock dimensions and photographs of the animal in situ before replacing the stone.

Identification: Distinguishing features

The species can be confused with the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard, Aprasia parapulchella, which occurs in the broader region. The supplied South Australian profile states that the Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard has more ventral scales, but reliable separation should be confirmed by an experienced reptile ecologist because the taxonomy of the two forms has been questioned.

  • Do not identify the species from colour alone.
  • Avoid moving or damaging additional shelter stones to obtain a better view.
  • Use photographs, scale measurements and expert confirmation where the identification may affect clearing or handling decisions.

Identification: Field signs and detection

There are no supplied records of distinctive tracks, scats, calls, nests, sloughs or eyeshine that can be used reliably for project surveys. The most useful field indication is a suitable shelter stone over clay or stony soil, especially where ants or termites may occur.

Best detection conditions: Spring and early summer on warm, but not hot, days, preferably after rainfall over several days

Detection limitation: Detection is more difficult during hot, dry periods

  • Search homogeneous areas of suitable habitat by carefully checking all stones that can be safely turned and replacing each stone in its original position.
  • Use a precautionary approach because failure to find animals does not demonstrate absence.
  • The recommended survey effort is 150 to 200 stones per plot where stone cover is suitable.

Distribution: State and bioregional range

The Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard is endemic to South Australia. Its documented range is restricted to the Flinders Ranges and Mount Lofty Ranges blocks, extending south to foothills north of Adelaide.

The species is known only from South Australia. It occurs in the Flinders Ranges and Mount Lofty Ranges, including the northern suburbs of Adelaide, and has been recorded in or near Mount Remarkable National Park and Mambray Creek.

Australian states: South Australia only

Documented range: Flinders Ranges and Mount Lofty Ranges south to the foothills north of Adelaide

Elevation in supplied dataset: 118 to 487 m above sea level

  • For regional assessments, consider records and suitable habitat within the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region.
  • Also consider the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Region and the Flinders Ranges when checking potential occurrence.

Distribution: Known sites and population information

Records include the northern suburbs of Adelaide, Cobbler Creek Regional Park, west of One Tree Hill, Para Wirra Regional Park, the Mylor area, Mount Remarkable National Park and Mambray Creek. Eight individuals were recorded in the northern suburbs of Adelaide during a 30 month survey of Cobbler Creek Regional Park.

Individuals recorded in one Cobbler Creek survey: 8

Survey duration for that record: 30 months

Population size: Not established in the supplied documents

Population trend: Not established in the supplied documents

  • Use current South Australian biodiversity records and site surveys to assess local occurrence because older regional maps do not represent the full current distribution.
  • Treat suitable habitat as potentially occupied where survey effort has been limited, even if no lizards are found.

Habitat: Habitat types

The species occupies terrestrial, fossorial habitat where suitable soil, surface stones, native ground cover and prey colonies occur together. Habitat can be present in both relatively natural vegetation and grazed or modified areas.

Recorded habitat types include open woodland, native tussock grassland, riparian habitat and rocky isolates. The species is associated with loamy or sandy soils, clay soils and stony soils with a stony surface.

Broad vegetation groups identified in the Mount Lofty Ranges region: Grassland and grassy woodland

Soils: Loamy and sandy soils, clay soils, and stony soils with a stony surface

  • Map native grassland, grassy woodland, riparian strips, rocky rises and isolated rocky patches before finalising disturbance areas.
  • Give particular attention to areas with flat or loose surface stones over clay or stony soil.
  • Include apparently modified grazing land in habitat assessments where surface rocks and suitable ground cover remain.

Habitat: Structural features

Surface stones provide shelter and may also support the ant and termite communities used as prey. Native tussock cover, leaf litter and vegetation cover can provide additional concealment and maintain suitable soil conditions.

  • Retain surface rocks, native tussocks, leaf litter and undisturbed soil wherever practicable.
  • Assess the continuity of rocky and grassy habitat beyond the construction footprint because small rocky isolates may still be occupied.
  • Record rock cover density rather than relying only on a fixed area estimate.

Habitat: Climate and elevation

The species is most detectable in warm conditions that are not excessively dry. It is less likely to be detected during hot, dry periods, but this reflects survey detectability and does not demonstrate that habitat is unused.

Recorded elevation range in supplied dataset: 118 to 487 m

  • Interpret a negative survey cautiously where drought, high temperatures or low recent rainfall have reduced activity.
  • Plan targeted searches around suitable weather rather than relying on a single visit.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The species feeds below or close to the soil surface, mainly on social insects. Its foraging habitat therefore overlaps closely with its sheltering habitat.

Aprasia species eat mainly ant larvae and pupae and may consume a large amount in one meal. The supplied species dataset also identifies termites as a principal food group.

Main prey: Ant larvae and pupae, with termites also identified as a principal food group

Feeding season: Individuals may feed infrequently and mainly during warmer months

  • Protect soil and surface-rock habitat that may support ant and termite colonies.
  • Avoid assuming that sparse or grazed vegetation has no value if rocks, soil structure and insect prey remain.

Foraging habitat: Foraging area and method

The lizard is fossorial and is expected to forage within soil, beneath stones and around insect colonies. The supplied documents do not provide a measured home range, foraging radius or daily movement distance.

Measured foraging range: Not reported in the supplied documents

Measured home range: Not reported in the supplied documents

  • Treat the area around occupied or potentially occupied rocks as habitat, not only the exact shelter point.
  • Avoid soil stripping, compaction, rock removal and repeated vehicle movement across potential feeding areas.
  • Retain connected patches of native ground cover and rocky soil where practicable.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Very little breeding information is available in the supplied documents. The species lays eggs, but the timing and location of egg laying are not described well enough to define a breeding site buffer or breeding season.

The species is oviparous and the supplied dataset gives a clutch of two eggs. No reliable information is supplied on mating dates, egg laying sites, incubation period, age at maturity or lifespan.

Breeding mode: Egg laying

Clutch size: Two eggs

Mating season: Not reported in the supplied documents

Egg laying season: Not reported in the supplied documents

Incubation period: Not reported in the supplied documents

Age at maturity: Not reported in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not reported in the supplied documents

  • Do not infer that a site is unimportant for breeding because no eggs or young are found.
  • Seek current advice from the relevant South Australian authority or a specialist herpetologist if breeding habitat may be cleared.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Specific nesting sites are not described. Because the species is fossorial and depends on loose soil, surface stones and ant or termite habitat, undisturbed soil and rocky ground should be treated as potential breeding habitat.

  • Retain surface rocks and associated soil during project design and construction.
  • Prevent compaction, grading and removal of stones from habitat that may support breeding animals or eggs.
  • Use precautionary controls where suitable habitat is present but breeding information is unavailable.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter sites

The species is primarily fossorial and uses shelter at or below the soil surface. Surface rocks are the most important documented shelter feature for field surveys and site management.

The lizard is found under stones on clay soils and under rocks, leaf litter and vegetation cover. It may occur in or near ant or termite nests, which provide both shelter and food resources.

Documented shelter features: Surface stones, rocks, leaf litter, vegetation cover, and ant or termite nests

Shelter size: Not reported in the supplied documents

Burrow dimensions: Not reported in the supplied documents

  • Inspect suitable rocks carefully before earthworks, access track construction or vegetation clearance.
  • Replace every checked rock in its original position and orientation where safe to do so.
  • Do not stockpile, remove or scatter surface rocks from potential habitat.

Sheltering habitat: Construction controls

Shelter sites can be damaged without directly encountering a lizard. Rock removal, soil compaction, cultivation, grading and vegetation change may remove shelter and alter the insect communities on which the species depends.

  • Fence or mark retained rocky habitat before clearing starts.
  • Keep vehicles, laydown areas, spoil and construction materials off retained surface-rock habitat.
  • Use a qualified fauna spotter catcher where animals are found during rock handling or soil disturbance.
  • Record and report all captures, relocations and mortality.

Threats: Clearing and ground disturbance

The main documented risks are habitat loss and degradation, particularly where projects remove rocks, disturb soil or change native grassland structure. Because detection is difficult, absence during a limited survey should not be used as the sole basis for clearing.

Cropping, pasture improvement, urbanisation, soil compaction, overgrazing and removal of rocks can remove shelter, disturb soil and reduce ant and termite prey habitat. Construction clearing can cause direct mortality and indirect habitat loss even when the main rocky habitat lies outside the final footprint.

  • Avoid clearing native tussock grassland, grassy woodland, riparian habitat and rocky isolates where practicable.
  • Minimise the construction footprint and keep access tracks, compounds and spoil areas out of rocky habitat.
  • Retain rocks and their underlying soil rather than moving them to another part of the site.
  • Assess indirect effects such as dust, erosion, sediment movement, changed drainage and increased vehicle access.

Threats: Fragmentation and infrastructure

The species has a restricted South Australian distribution and may occur in small habitat patches. Fragmentation can separate rocky shelter and feeding areas, while roads and repeated vehicle movements can compact soil and remove surface stones.

  • Keep habitat patches connected where possible and avoid creating unnecessary gaps through native grassland or grassy woodland.
  • Use designated access routes and enforce low speed and no-go areas around retained habitat.
  • Inspect work areas before progressive clearing because animals may remain beneath shelter stones after earlier surveys.

Threats: Fire, grazing and vegetation change

Changed fire regimes and tree planting in native grasslands can alter vegetation structure and composition. Overgrazing can reduce ground cover and contribute to soil degradation.

  • Avoid unplanned fire, repeated intense burning and unnecessary removal of native tussock cover.
  • Manage grazing and rehabilitation so that native ground cover and surface-rock habitat are retained.
  • Prevent introduced plants and construction disturbance from degrading retained habitat.

Threats: Predators, disease and hydrology

The supplied documents do not identify a species-specific predator or disease threat. They also do not describe a specific hydrological requirement, but erosion, sedimentation, drainage change and altered soil moisture during construction may affect fossorial habitat.

Species-specific predator threat: Not identified in the supplied documents

Species-specific disease threat: Not identified in the supplied documents

Specific hydrological requirement: Not identified in the supplied documents

  • Do not introduce disease, contaminated soil or non-local substrate into retained habitat.
  • Control runoff, erosion and sediment movement around rocky and riparian habitat.
  • Record unusual mortality or signs of disease and obtain specialist advice before moving animals.

Survey methodology: 1. Map habitat and define survey sites

Survey this fossorial, cryptic lizard before clearing where suitable habitat occurs. Detection is not guaranteed, so use the precautionary baseline in the Australian Government reptile survey guidelines and treat a non-detection cautiously.

Map the full work area and surrounding retained areas, including open woodland, native tussock grassland, riparian habitat, rocky isolates, clay or stony soils, surface rocks, ant or termite nests and likely movement links.

Use relatively homogeneous habitat as the survey unit. Stone cover density, rather than a fixed area alone, should determine the search plot.

Survey methodology: 2. Search beneath surface rocks

Search beneath every rock that can be safely turned within each selected plot. Check the soil surface, leaf litter and vegetation cover associated with rocks.

Aim to turn 150 to 200 stones in a plot where practical. This is the effort identified in the guideline as providing reasonable confidence in determining presence, not proof of absence.

Replace each rock carefully in its original position and orientation, and avoid crushing animals, disturbing ant or termite nests, or leaving exposed shelter sites.

Recommended plot effort: 150 to 200 turnable stones

Search unit: Relatively homogeneous habitat, with stone cover density determining the plot

  • Prioritise flat or surface rocks on clay or stony soils in open woodland, native tussock grassland, riparian habitat and rocky isolates.
  • Record the number of rocks checked, rock density, habitat condition, soil type, weather, recent rainfall, searchers and start and finish times.

Survey methodology: 3. Choose suitable weather and season

Schedule the main search effort in spring and early summer, on warm but not hot days, preferably after rainfall extending over several days.

Avoid relying on searches during hot, dry conditions because detectability is expected to be lower.

In summer, search in the morning or on cloudy days when soil temperatures beneath rocks are not too high.

In late autumn and winter, search on clear sunny days when warming rocks may attract lizards to the soil surface beneath them.

Peak activity: Likely in late spring and early summer

Summer search period: Morning or cloudy days

Late autumn and winter search period: Clear sunny days

  • Record air temperature, cloud cover, rainfall history, wind and soil conditions for every search.
  • Do not treat unsuitable hot, dry conditions or a single unsuccessful search as evidence that the species is absent.

Survey methodology: 4. Supplement with night searches

Use quiet night searches between sheltering sites as a supplementary method where safe and authorised. The guideline states that the species is not active on the ground surface by day and may move between sheltering sites at night.

Do not substitute night searches for the targeted rock search, because the guideline identifies rock turning as the most appropriate method and provides the only stated effort benchmark for this species.

  • Record the number of observers, search route, search duration, weather, ground visibility and any animals or signs detected.
  • Use night searches to improve coverage of habitat and activity periods, not to claim absence when no lizards are seen.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

Apply the 150 to 200 stone search benchmark to each suitable, relatively homogeneous habitat plot where rocks can be turned.

Repeat or extend searches when habitat, weather or recent rainfall conditions are unsuitable, or when the project risk requires greater confidence.

Engage an appropriately experienced herpetologist or fauna ecologist to design the survey and interpret a non-detection.

  • Submit confirmed records, including accurate coordinates, date, observer, photographs and habitat details, to the relevant state wildlife records database, such as South Australia's Biological Database of South Australia where applicable.
  • Keep search maps, plot boundaries, rock counts, weather data, photographs, permits, field notes and detection or non-detection results with the project environmental records.
  • Report any injured, dead or relocated animal and the release location in the fauna handling register.
  • Use the precautionary principle because no survey method or effort guarantees detection of a rare or restricted reptile.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan around the species' shelter sites and its dependence on stony or clay soils, surface rocks and associated ant or termite habitat. A recent targeted survey does not remove the need for controls if suitable habitat remains.

Retain areas of open woodland, native tussock grassland, riparian habitat and rocky isolates wherever practicable.

Retain surface rocks and the underlying soil profile, especially on clay or stony soils. Do not remove rocks for access, drainage, landscaping or construction convenience.

Retain ant and termite habitat associated with rocks because the species may shelter in ant or termite nests and Aprasia species feed mainly on ant larvae and pupae.

Maintain links between retained habitat patches where practicable, rather than isolating small rocky or grassy areas with roads, compounds or cleared corridors.

  • Micro-site tracks, pads, laydown areas and work compounds away from rock-dense habitat and native tussock grassland.
  • Keep clearing boundaries as narrow as practicable and clearly mark no-go habitat before machinery arrives.
  • Control soil compaction, pasture improvement, grazing pressure, weed spread and unnecessary changes to vegetation structure.

Before habitat disturbance: Check approvals and set conditions

Confirm the species' EPBC Act Vulnerable listing during the project's protected-matters assessment. Refer the action under the EPBC Act where the proposed action may have a significant impact on the species.

Check the relevant state or territory wildlife, threatened species, animal ethics and relocation requirements before survey, capture or handling. The supplied species information records no state listing, but state permits and project approvals still need to be checked.

Obtain approval for the fauna management plan, pre-clearance survey, handling and release procedures before disturbance begins.

Commonwealth status: EPBC Act Vulnerable

State listing supplied: None recorded in the project brief

  • Use the habitat, distribution, records and proposed clearing footprint to document the significance assessment.
  • Include indirect impacts such as dust, vibration, altered drainage, weed introduction, soil disturbance and habitat fragmentation in the assessment.
  • Nominate the ecologist, fauna spotter catcher, project environmental officer, wildlife carer and veterinarian roles before works start.

Before habitat disturbance: Plan and prepare the work area

Schedule clearing outside periods of poor detectability where the risk assessment allows, and prioritise spring or early summer survey conditions after several days of rainfall.

Stage clearing so that retained habitat remains available while each work area is checked and cleared.

Complete a pre-clearance search using the species method before each disturbance area is opened, rather than relying only on an earlier desktop assessment or broad fauna survey.

Mark rock-dense habitat, native tussock grassland, ant or termite features, riparian areas and no-go zones on construction plans and on the ground.

  • Install exclusion fencing where it can prevent machinery and personnel entering retained habitat without creating a barrier that traps or channels animals into danger.
  • Brief all operators on the species' appearance, fossorial behaviour, shelter under rocks and stop-work procedure.
  • Confirm that plant, access routes and materials will not be placed on retained rocks, tussock grassland or other mapped habitat.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Use active supervision during clearing and any work that disturbs rocky or stony soil. The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to pause work while an animal, shelter feature or unexpected habitat risk is assessed.

Inspect exclusion fencing, no-go markers, access routes and retained habitat before work starts each day.

Keep machinery within approved limits and use the smallest practical disturbance footprint.

Have the fauna spotter catcher walk ahead of machinery in suitable habitat and remain in direct communication with the operator by radio or agreed visual signals.

Use slow, controlled rock and soil disturbance where pre-clearance checks identify suitable habitat, and keep machinery stopped while a feature or animal is assessed.

  • Do not allow operators to turn, remove, crush or stockpile rocks in retained habitat.
  • Prevent spoil, dust, fuel, concrete washout and sediment from entering retained grassland, rocky habitat or riparian areas.
  • Stop work immediately if the fauna spotter catcher or environmental officer identifies the species, an injured animal, an unsearched habitat feature or a breach of the approved clearing boundary.

During habitat disturbance: Handle habitat features carefully

Treat rocks, shallow soil layers, leaf litter, tussock bases and ant or termite nests as potential shelter or feeding habitat.

Where a rock must be moved within the approved footprint, have the fauna spotter catcher inspect beneath it first and replace it carefully if no animal is present.

Avoid unnecessary disturbance to the soil surface and retain rocks and associated soil in nearby retained habitat where this is allowed by the approved management plan.

Do not assume that a tree, log or wetland is the main issue for this species. The documented habitat features are primarily ground-based, including rocks, clay or stony soils, grassland, woodland, riparian areas and ant or termite habitat.

  • Do not break apart nests, compact retained soil or burn surface rocks and shelter material.
  • Manage dust, erosion, sediment, weeds, grazing access and changed drainage so that indirect impacts do not extend into retained habitat.
  • Record any habitat feature that is damaged, removed or relocated, including its original and final location.

During habitat disturbance: Respond to a detection

Stop machinery and establish a quiet exclusion area around the animal and the immediate shelter site.

Only an appropriately authorised and experienced person may capture or handle the lizard, in accordance with the permit and fauna management plan.

Minimise handling time and keep the animal shaded, secure and away from vibration, heat and machinery.

Release the animal into nearby suitable retained habitat agreed by the ecologist and permitted under the approval, rather than moving it to an unrelated site.

  • Photograph the animal only if this can be done without delaying safe handling or increasing stress.
  • If the animal is injured, place it in an appropriate secure container and contact the nominated wildlife carer or veterinarian immediately.
  • Do not resume work until the fauna spotter catcher confirms that the animal has been safely managed and the work area has been rechecked.
  • Treat an animal found outside the mapped habitat as evidence that additional suitable habitat may be present and reassess the work limits.

During habitat disturbance: Record incidents and stop-work events

Record every detection, attempted detection, injury, mortality, capture, relocation, habitat feature disturbance and stop-work event on the same day.

Include coordinates, date and time, weather, habitat, animal condition, photographs, personnel, handling details, release location and the action taken.

Escalate repeated detections, mortality, damaged exclusion fencing, unexpected rock-dense habitat or clearing outside the approved footprint to the project environmental officer and approval holder.

  • Maintain daily fauna clearance forms and a running map of cleared, searched, retained and excluded areas.
  • Notify the relevant regulator or approval authority when required by the EPBC approval, state permit or fauna management plan.
  • Review the controls before restarting work after any stop-work event.

After habitat disturbance: Check and maintain the site

Post-clearance work must check that the approved footprint was not exceeded and that retained habitat remains functional. Monitoring should focus on the ground features used for shelter and feeding, not only on visible animals.

Complete a post-clearance inspection of the work area, access routes and boundaries for unsearched rocks, damaged exclusion fencing, soil compaction, erosion, sediment, dust deposition and weed spread.

Check that retained rocks, tussock grassland, woodland edges, riparian habitat and ant or termite features remain undisturbed where they were identified for retention.

Repair fencing, markers and erosion or sediment controls promptly, and keep machinery and materials out of retained habitat.

  • Remove temporary materials and surplus spoil from retained habitat.
  • Prevent ongoing grazing, vehicle access, weed invasion and altered drainage from degrading retained habitat.
  • Continue fauna spotter catcher attendance if later trenching, rehabilitation, spoil removal or maintenance will disturb suitable ground habitat.

After habitat disturbance: Monitor and report outcomes

Use the approved monitoring plan to check retained and rehabilitated habitat for signs of continuing disturbance and, where appropriate, repeat targeted searches beneath rocks under suitable conditions.

Interpret non-detection cautiously because the species is cryptic, fossorial and difficult to detect, particularly during hot, dry periods.

Compare the final disturbance footprint with the approved footprint and report any discrepancy, mortality, relocation or habitat loss.

  • Submit confirmed records and significant incident information to the relevant state wildlife database and approval authorities where required.
  • Provide the landholder, construction contractor and asset operator with mapped retained habitat and ongoing access restrictions.
  • Keep monitoring results, photographs, search effort, maintenance actions and corrective actions in the project's environmental register.

After habitat disturbance: Address residual impacts

Reassess residual direct and indirect impacts after construction, including habitat fragmentation, soil compaction, rock removal, weed invasion, altered fire regimes and loss of ant or termite habitat.

Apply approved offsets or other compensatory measures if required by the EPBC approval, state approval or project conditions.

Use the reassessment to update the fauna management plan for future stages, maintenance, upgrades or decommissioning.

  • Do not treat rehabilitation or an offset as permission to remove avoidable habitat during later works.
  • Record the area and condition of habitat retained, disturbed, restored and compensated for.

Rehabilitation actions: Reinstate ground habitat

Rehabilitation should rebuild the species' ground shelter and feeding habitat, not only establish vegetation cover. Use local reference sites and local native material suited to the original soil and vegetation community.

Reinstate the original soil profile and avoid compaction in areas intended to support the species.

Return surface rocks to suitable positions where their removal was temporary and approvals allow it. Place them so they provide shelter without creating a hazard to people or machinery.

Retain or reinstate native tussock grassland and open woodland structure using locally appropriate native species, including local spear-grass species where they formed part of the original community.

Protect ant and termite habitat and avoid practices that remove the invertebrate prey base.

  • Do not replace native tussock grassland with dense exotic pasture or a vegetation structure unlike the pre-disturbance habitat.
  • Use local provenance seed or plant material where required by the rehabilitation plan and record the source and application areas.
  • Keep rehabilitated areas free from unnecessary vehicle access until soil, rocks and vegetation have stabilised.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage threats during recovery

Control weeds and prevent soil disturbance, grazing pressure, pasture improvement and urban or infrastructure encroachment in rehabilitated habitat.

Manage erosion, sediment, dust and drainage so that they do not degrade stony or clay soils or nearby riparian habitat.

Plan fire management to avoid creating the changed fire regimes that are identified as a threat to the species' vegetation structure and composition.

Maintain connectivity between rehabilitated areas and retained open woodland, native tussock grassland, riparian habitat and rocky isolates.

  • Inspect for weed establishment, bare compacted soil, rock removal, grazing and erosion after rain and after major works.
  • Use local ecological advice when setting fire intervals, intensity and season because the supplied documents identify changed fire regimes as a threat but do not provide a species-specific fire prescription.
  • Control predators only where required by the approved plan and supported by site evidence, and document the method and result.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitor rehabilitation success

Set success measures for native tussock and open woodland establishment, surface-rock retention, soil condition, weed cover, erosion control, connectivity and protection of ant or termite habitat.

Inspect rehabilitation at intervals set by the approval and after major rainfall or fire events.

Use repeat searches beneath rocks in suitable weather and season to assess recolonisation or continued use, while recognising that absence of detections does not demonstrate absence.

  • Record the number and condition of reinstated rocks, vegetation cover and composition, weed control results, soil stability and any lizard detections.
  • Compare monitoring results with nearby retained reference habitat rather than relying only on a visual greening assessment.
  • Continue corrective actions until the approved rehabilitation criteria are met and document any residual risk or required maintenance.

Sources