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Giant Barred Frog (Mixophyes iteratus)

The Giant Barred Frog is a large stream-dependent frog of south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. It uses riparian forest, stream banks, pools and slow-flowing water, so clearing, earthworks, altered drainage, poor water quality and riparian disturbance can affect adults, eggs and tadpoles on development sites.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Vulnerable.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

Giant Barred Frogs breed beside permanent streams, with calling and egg laying mainly from spring to autumn. Eggs are attached above the water, while tadpoles can remain in streams for at least 9 months and up to 14 months, so aquatic habitat and streamside shelter require protection throughout the year.

Reproductive mode: Egg laying. Eggs are fertilised in or above the water, then kicked onto banks or rocks above the stream.

Clutch size: Average clutch size is 2,000 eggs. One reported gravid female carried 4,184 eggs.

Incubation: A separate incubation period is not recorded. Tadpoles usually drop into the water after hatching, and one account reports this occurring 8 to 10 days after laying.

Size at hatching or birth: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Nest or egg sites: Overhanging or steeply sloped muddy banks, rock faces and rocks beside permanent flowing streams, pools and slow-moving water.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded.

Confirm timing at the site, as rainfall, stream flow and temperatures below 18 °C can change calling, movement and sheltering behaviour.

  • Calling: Males call from the ground beside streams from September to May, with peak calling reported in November and February. Calling is sporadic and may follow rainfall. In the Tweed Valley, the breeding period is reported as October to April.
  • Egg laying: Egg laying is supported from spring to autumn, broadly September to May. Females kick fertilised eggs onto overhanging or steep banks and rocks above stream pools, where the hatchlings later enter the water.
  • Tadpoles: Tadpoles can be present in every month because development takes at least 9 months and may take up to 14 months. They are bottom dwellers in still or slowly flowing pools and along stream margins, and may overwinter.
  • Metamorphs: No month of juvenile emergence is recorded. Because development may take at least 9 months and up to 14 months, metamorphs may leave the water at any time of year, particularly where breeding occurred in the previous year.
  • Active period: The main documented activity period is September to March, while breeding-season surveys in the Tweed Valley covered October to April. Adults leave shelter around dusk and may move away from streams during rainfall or high flows.
  • Winter inactivity: During cold conditions below 18 °C, particularly in winter, males may hide under leaf litter with their heads exposed. The species may also shelter under leaf litter, logs or loose soil during periods of inactivity.
  • Highest clearing risk: September to May has the highest risk because calling adults, eggs, hatchlings and tadpoles may be present. Risk remains year round because tadpoles can take at least 9 months and up to 14 months to metamorphose, and adults shelter in leaf litter, dense vegetation, banks, rocks and roots near streams.

Identification

The Giant Barred Frog is a very large, powerfully built ground-dwelling frog. It is well camouflaged in leaf litter, so calls, eye colour, limb patterning and stream-associated signs are important during field work.

Adults are dark brown to olive above, with darker blotches, an irregular dark band along the back and dark spots or mottling on the flanks. The limbs have dark and pale crossbars, and the hidden surfaces of the thighs range from black with yellow spots to black and yellow marbling.

The underside is usually yellow with fine brown mottling on the chin. The skin is finely granular above and smooth below. The toes are fully webbed, the fingers lack webbing, and the tympanum is distinct.

Maximum size: 115 mm snout to vent length, with some profiles reporting body length up to 120 mm

Eye: Vertical pupil and pale silvery-white to pale gold iris, darker below

Call: A deep guttural grunt, also described as a deep 'ork'

Identification: Distinguishing features

The combination of very large body size, barred limbs, dark and yellow thigh patterning, vertical pupil and golden upper iris helps separate this species from other barred frogs. The call and eye colour are reported as particularly useful field characters.

Males call from the ground near streams, including from crevices under rocks, banks or overhanging tree roots. The survey guideline recommends call playback and spotlighting while walking a stream transect, rather than road transects.

Identification: Eggs and tadpoles

Females deposit eggs above the water on overhanging or steep stream banks. Hatchlings drop or wriggle into the water, or eggs may be washed into the stream by rain or gravity.

Tadpoles are large, deep-bodied and ovoid, with a muscular tail, low fins and dark spotting or blotching. They are bottom dwellers in still or slowly flowing pools and along stream margins.

  • Search under leaf litter and dense vegetation on the forest floor.
  • Inspect overhanging banks, steep banks, pools, pool margins and slow-flowing sections for eggs and tadpoles.
  • Use dip-net sampling in suitable pools and margins, with multiple sweeps where authorised and appropriate.
  • Do not rely on adult call detections alone, because non-calling frogs and aquatic young can be missed.

Distribution: National range

The species occurs in coastal and near-coastal parts of south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. The available sources describe range contraction and local disappearances, particularly towards the southern and northern margins.

The recorded range extends from Belli Creek near Eumundi in south-eastern Queensland south to Warrimoo in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. The NSW profile describes the range as extending along the coast and ranges between Eumundi and Warrimoo.

In Queensland, the species is associated with the south-east Queensland region. In New South Wales, records or predicted habitat occur in the New England Tablelands, NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin.

  • Queensland: south-eastern Queensland, including the Sunshine Coast to Gold Coast lowlands, Burringbar-Conondale Ranges, Clarence lowlands, Clarence Sandstones, Scenic Rim and Woodenbong areas.
  • New South Wales: northern coastal and escarpment areas, including the Coffs Harbour and Dorrigo area, plus parts of the Sydney Basin and adjacent ranges.

Distribution: Strongholds and trend

Northern New South Wales, particularly the Coffs Harbour to Dorrigo area, is identified as a stronghold. The species has declined in the southern part of its range, with no recent records south of the Hawkesbury River reported in the NSW profile.

Historical and more recent sources also describe disappearances from a number of Queensland streams and declines or local losses in the Watagan Mountains and Blue Mountains areas.

Known population size: No total national population estimate is provided in the supplied sources

Documented trend: Major declines in parts of the range, with local disappearances and small remaining populations in some southern areas

Habitat: Stream and forest setting

Giant Barred Frogs are associated with permanent or semi-permanent freshwater streams and adjoining moist forest. Habitat can remain suitable in some degraded riparian remnants, but intact streamside vegetation and stable water conditions provide the strongest habitat values described in the sources.

The species occurs along shallow rocky streams, deep slow-moving streams with steep banks, and other permanent or semi-permanent freshwater channels. It has been recorded in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, moist hardwood forest, drier riparian forest remnants and, occasionally, around dams.

The documented elevation range is approximately 100 to 1000 m. The species is generally associated with lower-elevation stream reaches, although the full range includes upland and escarpment sites.

Documented elevation: Approximately 100 to 1000 m

Usual stream distance: Generally within about 20 m during the breeding period and often during normal activity

  • Retain riparian rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and moist hardwood forest beside occupied or potentially suitable streams.
  • Protect shallow rocky sections, pools, slow-flowing margins, steep banks and overhanging banks.
  • Maintain leaf litter, dense ground vegetation, shaded stream margins and open perching sites on the forest floor.
  • Treat degraded riparian remnants and farm dams near suitable streams as potential habitat rather than assuming they are unsuitable.

Habitat: Features to retain during works

The species depends on the connection between stream channels, banks and adjacent forest floor. Clearing that removes shade, leaf litter, dense vegetation or steep and overhanging banks can affect shelter, movement and breeding sites even when the channel itself is not directly disturbed.

The species is an obligate stream-breeding frog in the NSW stream-frog prioritisation, and is highly dependent on in-channel stream habitat.

  • Keep machinery, spoil, sediment and chemicals away from the channel and riparian zone.
  • Avoid changing the location, depth, velocity or duration of pools and slow-flowing margins.
  • Prevent sediment entering egg deposition sites, tadpole pools and stream margins.
  • Maintain movement routes between the channel, bank and adjoining forest floor.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

The Giant Barred Frog is a generalist ground-forager. It feeds on the forest floor and in streamside cover, where leaf litter and dense vegetation provide both prey and concealment.

Recorded prey includes large insects, snails, spiders and other frogs. The species forages in moist riparian forest, leaf litter and dense ground vegetation near streams.

Adults can move up to 100 m in one night during the breeding season, but the documented short-term study found that they did not move more than 20 m from the stream. Outside the breeding season, individuals may disperse 50 m or more from the stream.

Known prey: Large insects, snails, spiders and frogs

Recorded nightly movement: Up to 100 m during the breeding season, with the study animals remaining within 20 m of the stream

Possible non-breeding dispersal: 50 m or more from the stream

  • Retain deep leaf litter, fallen timber, dense ground vegetation and shaded streamside cover.
  • Avoid broad clearing of the forest floor around streams, including removal of cover outside the immediate channel.
  • Keep lighting, noise, vehicle movement and night-time disturbance away from streamside foraging areas where practicable.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding is tied to stream banks and adjacent aquatic habitat. Eggs are placed above the water, while tadpoles require pools, slow-flowing water and stream margins for a prolonged development period.

Males call during the warmer months from the ground near streams. Females deposit eggs on overhanging or steep banks above the water. Hatchlings enter the stream, where tadpoles develop in still or slowly flowing pools and along stream margins.

The survey guideline records larvae from September to May. Tadpoles may remain in the water for a long period, and the NSW stream-frog update reports that development to metamorphosis can take up to 14 months.

Breeding season: Late spring to summer; calling is recorded from September to April in the recovery plan and September to May in the survey guideline

Egg number: One gravid female was reported carrying 4,184 eggs

Egg placement: Above water on overhanging or steep stream banks

Larval habitat: Still or slowly flowing pools and stream margins

Tadpole size: Over 100 mm total length in the recovery plan; about 110 mm in the NSW profile

Egg incubation: A precise incubation period is not provided in the supplied sources

Age at maturity: Not provided in the supplied sources

Lifespan: Not provided in the supplied sources

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat requirements

Suitable breeding sites include stream banks with overhangs or steep faces above shallow rocky streams, deep slow-moving streams and associated pools. Tadpoles need water bodies that remain suitable through a long development period.

Freshes and other natural flow pulses may trigger breeding in ground-dwelling barred frogs. Adequate low flows help maintain pools and other tadpole habitat, while prolonged cease-to-flow periods can dry or disconnect aquatic refuges.

  • Retain overhanging and steep stream banks above the waterline.
  • Do not remove bank vegetation, alter bank shape or compact the ground at known egg deposition sites.
  • Prevent sedimentation of pools and slow-flowing margins.
  • Maintain natural flow patterns and avoid drainage, diversion, pumping or discharge changes that could dry or scour breeding habitat.
  • Schedule unavoidable works away from the September to May breeding and larval period where practicable, subject to site-specific ecological advice.

Sheltering habitat: Known refuges

Adults shelter on the forest floor and close to streams. The most relevant shelter features for site management are leaf litter, dense vegetation, rocks, banks, roots and moist ground cover.

Adults have been recorded under leaf litter and dense vegetation, on the forest floor near streams, and in crevices under rocks, banks or overhanging tree roots. Males may call from these same ground-level features.

The species can move away from the channel, especially outside the breeding period, so shelter habitat should not be limited to the stream edge alone.

Documented shelter distance: Adults may range up to 20 m from streams on the forest floor; non-breeding movements may extend 50 m or more

Specific refuge types: Leaf litter, dense vegetation, rock crevices, banks and overhanging tree roots

  • Retain leaf litter and dense ground vegetation within at least the documented 20 m streamside activity zone.
  • Avoid removing rocks, exposed roots, fallen material and bank cover from stream margins.
  • Inspect leaf litter, dense vegetation, rock crevices, undercut banks and tree-root overhangs before clearing.
  • Use fauna spotter catchers familiar with frogs during any authorised clearing of riparian or adjacent forest-floor habitat.

Threats: Clearing and construction

Development risks arise from loss of riparian vegetation, disturbance to banks and forest-floor cover, altered flows and declining water quality. Disease and introduced or domestic animals add further pressure to small or isolated populations.

Clearing of riparian vegetation is a major documented threat, particularly along lower stream reaches affected by agriculture and rural residential development. Logging, headwater clearing, urban development and loss of undisturbed forest are also associated with habitat degradation or lower abundance.

Works can affect frogs without removing the channel itself. Clearing leaf litter, dense vegetation, banks, roots and overhanging cover can remove refuges, calling sites, foraging habitat and egg deposition sites.

  • Avoid clearing rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and moist hardwood forest beside permanent or semi-permanent streams.
  • Delineate no-go zones around stream banks, pools, slow-flowing margins and adjacent forest-floor habitat before works begin.
  • Keep access tracks, compounds, spoil, stockpiles and laydown areas out of riparian habitat.
  • Stage clearing from the stream outward only after ecological inspection and approval of the fauna management measures.
  • Use pre-clearance searches and stop-work procedures for adults, eggs, tadpoles and suitable refuges.

Threats: Hydrology, sediment and water quality

Changes to water flow, water quality and upstream land use can affect eggs, tadpoles and adult habitat. Siltation is a particular risk to embryos and tadpoles, while prolonged low flows or cease-to-flow periods can reduce pools and other aquatic refuges.

Altered high flows can erode banks or disturb riffle and pool habitat. Chemical use near streams can also affect suitable habitat.

  • Control sediment at the source and prevent turbid water entering streams, pools or stream margins.
  • Avoid diverting, damming, dewatering or concentrating runoff through occupied or suitable habitat.
  • Maintain low flows, pools and slow-flowing margins through the works period.
  • Prevent concrete washout, fuels, herbicides and other chemicals from entering drainage lines.
  • Inspect upstream and downstream controls after rainfall and before restarting works.

Threats: Disease, predators and grazing

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes chytridiomycosis, is known from some Giant Barred Frog locations. Its contribution to current decline is uncertain, but disease hygiene is required whenever personnel, vehicles or equipment move between frog sites.

Feral pigs, domestic stock and weeds can damage riparian habitat. Feral pigs may disturb habitat and destroy eggs, while grazing and trampling can damage banks and ground cover.

  • Clean and disinfect footwear, equipment, vehicles and tyres before and after visiting frog habitat.
  • Do not move water, mud, vegetation or captured animals between sites.
  • Keep cattle and other stock out of streams, banks and riparian forest during works.
  • Control tall weeds, lantana and exotic grasses that reduce ground-cover and riparian habitat quality.
  • Manage feral pig access where it threatens stream banks, eggs or pools.

Threats: Roads, fire and fragmentation

The supplied sources do not quantify road mortality for this species. They do state that road transects are ineffective for survey, so road-based searches should not be used as a substitute for stream transects.

Fragmentation and small population size can increase the risk from local events and loss of genetic variation. Fire, altered rainfall and damage to riparian vegetation are identified as additional pressures in the conservation material.

  • Avoid placing roads, crossings and construction traffic through stream banks, pools and connected riparian forest where alternatives exist.
  • Use low-impact stream crossings and prevent runoff, sediment and bank damage at crossings.
  • Retain connected forest-floor cover between the stream and nearby refuge habitat.
  • Assess fire access, prescribed burning and post-fire erosion controls where riparian vegetation could be affected.

Survey methodology: 1. Plan the survey area and season

Survey effort must target permanent or semi-permanent streams and adjacent moist riparian forest. The Giant Barred Frog is cryptic, ground dwelling and strongly associated with streams, so use repeated night surveys and larval searches rather than relying on a single technique.

Stratify the site by stream, pool, bank, riparian vegetation and adjoining forest habitat before selecting transects.

Prioritise shallow rocky streams, deep slow-moving sections, still or slowly flowing pools, steep or overhanging banks, rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and dense leaf litter.

Include habitat within at least 20 metres of the stream because adults commonly use this area, and inspect adjoining forest because frogs may disperse 50 metres or more outside the breeding season.

Survey during the breeding and activity period, preferably from September to March, when calling, breeding and movement are most likely.

The broader calling period is reported as September to May, so extend the survey window where local weather and records indicate suitable activity outside September to March.

Allow for repeated surveys and, where detection probability is low, surveys over more than one year.

Species size: Up to 115 millimetres long in the survey guideline, and up to 120 millimetres in the conservation profile.

Typical stream association: Generally within 20 metres of the stream, with movement farther from streams possible outside the breeding season.

Survey methodology: 2. Call playback and spotlighting

Walk a stream or creek transect at night while using call detection, call playback and spotlighting.

Search the stream edge, forest floor, leaf litter, dense vegetation, rocks, banks, overhanging roots and crevices because males call from the ground near streams and frogs shelter in these features.

Use the deep guttural call as a primary detection cue, and confirm visual observations using the species' large size, dark crossbars, vertical pupil and pale to golden iris.

Conduct surveys when the substrate and leaf litter are wet, but do not survey during heavy rainfall or high stream flow.

Where heavy rain has occurred, survey about one week later rather than during the high-flow event.

Use stream transects rather than road transects, which are not effective for this species.

Minimum night effort: Two nights under ideal conditions, repeated on at least four occasions in the activity period.

Minimum transect: 200 metres of stream.

  • Complete at least two nights under suitable conditions.
  • Repeat the survey on at least four separate occasions during the activity period.
  • Cover a minimum stream transect length of 200 metres at each survey location.
  • Record the survey date, start and finish time, weather, recent rainfall, stream condition, transect length, observers, playback use and all detections.

Survey methodology: 3. Larval and breeding habitat searches

Search for eggs on overhanging or steep banks above the water because females deposit eggs out of the water and hatchlings later enter the stream.

Dip-net still or slowly flowing pools and the sides of streams to detect bottom-dwelling larvae.

Use multiple sweeps in suitable pools and inspect different pool margins and stream microhabitats.

Treat larval identification as a specialist task because larvae can be difficult to identify to species, even though Giant Barred Frog larvae are described as distinctive.

Avoid damaging egg masses, banks, leaf litter and aquatic habitat during searches.

Larval period: September to May in the survey guideline.

Larval development: Tadpoles can take up to 14 months to complete development.

  • Record the location and condition of egg masses, larvae, pools, stream margins and potential breeding banks.
  • Photograph larvae or egg masses where this can be done without handling or damaging them.
  • Use appropriate amphibian hygiene procedures between sites and equipment changes to reduce disease transmission.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Do not treat a negative result from one visit as proof that the species is absent.
  • Use the detection history from repeated surveys to inform the impact assessment, work limits and fauna management plan.
  • Have a suitably experienced amphibian ecologist review uncertain calls, photographs, larvae and habitat records.
  • Submit confirmed records and relevant negative survey information to the relevant state wildlife database, such as NSW BioNet where the work is in New South Wales, and to the applicable Queensland wildlife records system where the work is in Queensland.
  • Retain maps, photographs, raw survey data, weather records, stream conditions, effort and detection information with the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat permanent and semi-permanent streams, their banks and adjoining moist forest as potential Giant Barred Frog habitat. Avoid direct disturbance first, then reduce the area, duration and intensity of any unavoidable work.

  • Retain streams, pools, stream banks, overhanging banks, dense riparian vegetation, leaf litter and connected forest on both sides of the waterway.
  • Keep construction, clearing, vehicle access, stock access, spoil, fuel, chemicals and sediment away from stream and riparian habitat wherever practicable.
  • Retain habitat within at least 20 metres of the stream because the species commonly uses the forest floor within this distance.
  • Maintain connected riparian vegetation and movement routes to retained habitat, particularly where small populations may be isolated.
  • Avoid works that alter natural flow, remove pools, fill stream margins, destabilise banks or increase sediment in breeding and larval habitat.
  • Control lantana, exotic grasses and other dense weeds in a way that does not damage occupied habitat, egg masses, larvae or leaf litter.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

  • Check the current EPBC Act status before works because the species is listed nationally as Vulnerable in the current NSW profile.
  • Refer the action under the EPBC Act if the proposed action may have a significant impact on the species or its habitat.
  • Check state threatened species, vegetation clearing, wildlife handling, waterway and animal ethics requirements before survey, clearing or relocation work.
  • Obtain any required fauna spotter catcher, scientific, collection, handling and rehabilitation authorisations before work starts.
  • Schedule disturbance outside the main breeding and activity period where practicable, while recognising that individuals, larvae and habitat may be present at other times.
  • Stage clearing away from retained streams and riparian habitat, and set out no-go areas before machinery arrives.
  • Include stream protection, amphibian hygiene, pre-clearance surveys, fauna handling, stop-work triggers, incident response and rehabilitation in the fauna management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: Prepare and mark the site

  • Complete a targeted pre-clearance survey using the methods and effort specified for the species before any clearing or ground disturbance.
  • Mark streams, pools, wet banks, egg-laying banks, dense leaf-litter habitat, logs, rocks, refuges and retained riparian vegetation on construction plans and on the ground.
  • Install exclusion fencing where it can keep machinery, workers, sediment and stock out of retained stream and riparian habitat without blocking frog movement or causing entrapment.
  • Inspect exclusion fencing after rain and at the start of each work day for gaps, undercuts, trapped animals and diverted surface water.
  • Provide a clean equipment area and apply amphibian hygiene measures before equipment enters the site and between frog habitats.
  • Brief all workers on the species' appearance, deep guttural call, habitat, handling limits, hygiene requirements and stop-work procedure.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

The fauna spotter catcher must keep the work area under active observation and coordinate movements with the operator. Work must stop when an animal, egg mass, larva or unexpected occupied habitat is found in or near the disturbance area.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing, stream crossings, sediment controls and retained habitat before work begins each day.
  • Use a qualified and authorised fauna spotter catcher during clearing and other activities that may affect frog habitat.
  • Position the spotter catcher where the operator can receive clear stop and proceed signals, and make the operator wait for confirmation before moving into a new search area.
  • Clear in small stages towards retained habitat so animals have an opportunity to move away from machinery without being driven into water, roads or active work areas.
  • Keep machinery out of streams, pools, wet banks, leaf litter and retained riparian vegetation unless the approved method specifically allows access.
  • Prevent fuel, concrete, chemicals, sediment, spoil and wash water from entering streams, pools or larval habitat.
  • Clean boots, equipment, tyres and handling gear before and after visiting frog habitat and between sites.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and amphibian handling

  • Inspect leaf litter, dense vegetation, logs, rocks, bank overhangs, tree roots, crevices, pools and stream margins before they are disturbed.
  • Treat egg masses above the water, larvae in pools and frogs within the work area as protected fauna requiring an immediate response under the fauna management plan.
  • Do not handle a frog unless it is necessary to prevent harm, obtain a reliable identification or comply with an approved relocation or rescue procedure.
  • Only an appropriately authorised person should capture, handle, transport or relocate the animal.
  • If relocation is authorised, place the frog in nearby retained, suitable stream-side habitat identified in advance by the ecologist, without moving it across roads or into unsuitable drainage.
  • Do not move larvae, eggs or aquatic material unless the relevant approval, method and biosecurity controls specifically allow it.
  • Treat hollow-bearing trees, logs and rocks as general fauna habitat features even though streams, banks, leaf litter and dense vegetation are the main features identified for this species.

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

  • Stop work immediately if a Giant Barred Frog is found within the clearing footprint, in the machinery path or in habitat that will be disturbed.
  • Stop work if egg masses, larvae, repeated calls, a suspected breeding site, unexpected wet habitat or a stream bank outside the approved disturbance area is identified.
  • Keep machinery, workers and vehicles clear while the fauna spotter catcher confirms the species and implements the approved response.
  • Contact the project ecologist and environmental officer before restarting work where the find may change the approved impact area or control measures.
  • Place an injured animal in an appropriate, clean, secure container and transfer it promptly to an authorised wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian in accordance with the fauna management plan.
  • Do not provide food, water or medication unless directed by an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian.
  • Record the location, date, time, condition, photographs, action taken, handler, relocation point and outcome for every interaction.
  • Report any mortality, injury, disease concern, unauthorised handling, sediment release or waterway impact through the project's incident system and to regulators where required.

After habitat disturbance: Complete post-clearance checks

Post-work checks must confirm that no frogs, eggs or larvae remain exposed to avoidable harm and that stream and riparian controls continue to function. Monitoring should be scaled to the disturbance and the approval conditions.

  • Inspect the cleared area, machinery routes, stockpiles, retained banks, leaf litter, pools and exclusion fencing after each clearing stage.
  • Complete a final search of disturbed stream margins and adjacent retained habitat before demobilising the fauna spotter catcher.
  • Remove temporary materials, waste, spoil and sediment before they can enter streams or pools.
  • Repair bank damage, drainage concentration, fencing gaps and sediment controls immediately.
  • Confirm that retained riparian vegetation, pools, overhanging banks, logs and leaf-litter refuges remain intact.

After habitat disturbance: Monitor habitat and species response

  • Monitor retained streams and riparian habitat during construction and after rehabilitation, with timing and duration set by the approval, risk assessment and fauna management plan.
  • Repeat targeted night call, playback, spotlighting and larval surveys where the project has removed or altered stream habitat, flow, water quality or riparian vegetation.
  • Use the same transects, effort and weather records over time so changes in detection are interpretable.
  • Inspect pools, stream margins and egg-laying banks for sedimentation, altered flow, weed invasion, feral pig damage and stock access.
  • Investigate any decline in detections, injured frogs, dead frogs, chytrid concerns or loss of breeding habitat with the project ecologist and relevant authority.

After habitat disturbance: Close-out and reporting

  • Provide the regulator and approval holder with survey effort, detections, handling records, injuries, mortalities, incidents, control failures and rehabilitation results.
  • Submit confirmed species records to the relevant state wildlife database and retain the record submission details.
  • Keep exclusion fencing, stream protection, weed controls and water-quality controls in place until the environmental officer confirms that they are no longer required.
  • Implement any offsets, compensatory habitat measures or additional monitoring required by the EPBC Act approval, state approval or conditions of consent.
  • Update the fauna management plan when monitoring identifies an unforeseen impact or a control that is not working.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore stream and riparian habitat

Rehabilitation should restore the stream edge and the connected forest floor used for shelter, movement, foraging and breeding. The target condition is a stable, shaded riparian system with clean water, suitable pools and intact bank refuges.

  • Re-establish locally native rainforest or wet sclerophyll riparian vegetation suited to the site and maintain dense ground cover without creating a weed-dominated layer.
  • Reinstate natural bank shape, overhanging banks, stable leaf-litter areas and connection between the stream and retained forest.
  • Restore shallow rocky sections, still pools and slowly flowing pool margins where these features were damaged, using designs approved by the waterway authority.
  • Prevent sediment, altered drainage, pollutants and excessive flow changes from entering breeding and larval habitat.
  • Replace or retain natural logs, rocks, coarse woody debris and leaf litter as ground refuges, without blocking the stream or creating hazards.
  • Do not use artificial hollows or nest boxes as a substitute for stream, bank and leaf-litter habitat unless they are required for another species affected by the project.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage weeds, predators and access

  • Control lantana, exotic grasses and other tall weeds that reduce the quality and amount of riparian habitat, using methods that protect frogs, larvae and egg masses.
  • Exclude cattle and other domestic stock from recovering riparian habitat and prevent trampling of banks, pools and leaf litter.
  • Manage feral pig access where it damages banks, eggs, pools or riparian vegetation.
  • Use amphibian-safe chemical practices and prevent herbicide, sediment and other pollutants from entering streams.
  • Maintain disease hygiene for all staff, vehicles and equipment entering restored or occupied frog habitat.
  • Include fire planning that protects recovering riparian vegetation, stream banks, leaf litter and wet refuges from avoidable damage.

Rehabilitation actions: Measure rehabilitation success

Recommended monitoring transect: At least 200 metres of stream where the site allows.

Larval development period to allow for: Up to 14 months from egg laying to metamorphosis.

  • Set site-specific targets for riparian vegetation survival, weed cover, bank stability, pool persistence, water quality, sediment control and connectivity before rehabilitation begins.
  • Inspect restored habitat after rainfall, high flows and construction stages, and repair erosion, weed invasion, stock access and failed plantings.
  • Monitor for Giant Barred Frog calls, adults, egg masses and larvae using repeat night surveys and larval searches during the September to March activity period.
  • Use at least two survey nights repeated on four or more occasions where the monitoring objective is to assess presence or breeding response, unless the approval requires greater effort.
  • Continue monitoring until the environmental officer and relevant approval authority accept that the habitat is stable and the agreed success measures have been met.
  • Report monitoring results, failures, corrective actions and database submissions in the final environmental report.

Sources