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Golden-eyed Gecko (Strophurus trux)

The Golden-eyed Gecko is a very small, nocturnal gecko known from central Queensland, where it has been recorded around stony hills near Mount Redcliffe, south-west of Marlborough. It is relevant to development projects because its known range is very restricted, the species uses low vegetation and climbing structure, and clearing can remove both feeding sites and daytime refuges.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Breeding season

No wild seasonal cycle is documented for the Golden-eyed Gecko. It is nocturnal and egg laying is confirmed, so plan clearing as a year-round risk, with added checks during the February to April and December breeding windows suggested by related Strophurus kept in captivity.

Reproductive mode: Oviparous.

Clutch size: Two eggs.

Incubation: Not recorded for Strophurus trux. Around 60 days is reported for the related Strophurus ciliaris and Strophurus taenicauda.

Size at hatching: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Nest or egg sites: Not recorded for Strophurus trux.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded for Strophurus trux. A clutch interval of about 21 days is reported for the related Strophurus ciliaris and Strophurus taenicauda.

Confirm timing locally before clearing, because rainfall, temperature and available food can alter breeding and activity, and no wild seasonal calendar is documented for this species.

  • Mating: Mating months are not recorded for this species. In related Strophurus kept in captivity, breeding activity resumes after cooling and egg laying starts from February to April, so these are the supported planning months.
  • Gravid females: The timing of gravid females is not recorded for this species. The February to April and December entries follow related Strophurus egg-laying windows, with females carrying two eggs.
  • Egg laying: Egg-laying months are not recorded for Strophurus trux. Related Strophurus are reported to start laying from February to April, with some laying in December depending on conditions.
  • Incubation: Incubation length is not recorded for Strophurus trux. Using the approximately 60-day period reported for related Strophurus, eggs laid in December to April may remain in nests from December to June.
  • Hatchlings: Hatchling timing is not recorded for this species. An approximately 60-day incubation period in related Strophurus places likely emergence from February to June when the related laying window is applied.
  • Active period: The species is nocturnal, but its activity season and any monthly peak are not recorded. Treat adults as potentially surface active at night throughout the year and search suitable vegetation, rocks and ground cover before clearing.
  • Highest clearing risk: No species-specific low-risk period is known. Clearing can affect nocturnal adults, gravid females, eggs, hatchlings and animals sheltering in vegetation or rocky cover at any time, with extra breeding checks from February to April and in December.

Identification

The Golden-eyed Gecko is a small, short-tailed gecko with a distinctive golden iris. It is most likely to be encountered at night by spotlighting on low vegetation or other climbing structure.

Adults have a maximum recorded snout to vent length of about 49 mm. The tail is short, measuring about 0.47 to 0.61 times snout to vent length.

The body is light brown to golden brown, usually with scattered dark grey or brown spots. Some individuals have faint darker dorsal reticulations and faint longitudinal tail stripes.

The ventral surface is paler than the back and is separated from the dorsal colour along the lower sides. The mouth lining is pale blue and the tongue is pink to red.

Body size: Maximum snout to vent length 48.8 mm in the species description; 49.6 mm in a later dataset

Tail proportion: Tail length to snout to vent length ratio 0.47 to 0.61

Estimated maximum mass: 2.39 g, calculated rather than directly weighed

Identification: Diagnostic features

The iris is bright yellow, rich gold or golden brown. This is the main field character and should be checked with a close view or a clear photograph.

Unlike many other Strophurus species, the species lacks enlarged tubercles or spines across the body, apart from tubercles at the posterior edge of the upper eyelid. It has cloacal spurs.

The combination of golden eyes, a short tail, a mostly plain or finely spotted body, and the absence of prominent body or tail spines helps separate it from other Strophurus geckos.

Identification: Field signs and handling

The species is nocturnal and was found by spotlighting at night in stony hills. Searchers should check low shrubs, grasses and other vegetation rather than relying only on ground searches.

No species-specific information is provided on tracks, scats, calls, sloughs, nests or eyeshine. A live animal or a clear image showing the golden iris, body pattern and lack of spines is the most reliable field evidence.

Strophurus geckos can project an adhesive defensive secretion from the tail. Avoid unnecessary handling and do not rub or wash the animal during identification.

  • Record the exact location, date, time, vegetation used, perch height if visible, and a scale reference where this can be done without disturbing the animal.
  • Use photographs of the eye, head, side of body, tail and underside where safe and permitted.
  • Treat records outside the known central Queensland area as requiring expert verification.

Distribution: State and bioregion

The documented range is extremely restricted. Available sources place the species in central Queensland, with the type locality near Mount Redcliffe, south-west of Marlborough.

The species is recorded from Queensland only. It is thought to be endemic to the Brigalow Belt region.

The type locality is Mount Redcliffe, about 8 km south-west of Marlborough in central Queensland, at approximately 149°53'30" east and 22°48'50" south.

Australian state: Queensland

Bioregional setting: Brigalow Belt region

Type locality: Mount Redcliffe, about 8 km south-west of Marlborough

Reported range size: 10 km² in a compiled trait dataset

Distribution: Known stronghold and population status

The species was described from a very small area and was initially known from a single museum specimen before live animals were found in the Mount Redcliffe area.

No population estimate, population trend, density estimate or confirmed subpopulation structure is provided in the supplied sources. The reported 10 km² range size should be treated as a compiled estimate, not as a survey-derived population boundary.

Population size: Not reported

Population trend: Not reported

Confirmed subpopulations: Not reported

  • Do not assume that apparently suitable habitat outside the known area is occupied.
  • For project assessments, map all records and inspect connected stony hill and low-vegetation habitat within and around the disturbance footprint.
  • Obtain expert verification for records beyond the documented central Queensland range.

Habitat: Habitat setting

The species has been found in central Queensland stony hills in an arid or semi-arid setting. The available information indicates a need for both low vegetation and climbing structure, but species-specific habitat mapping remains limited.

The species has been found by night spotlighting in stony hills. It is described as inhabiting arid environments and as arboreal.

At the broader genus level, Strophurus geckos occupy arid, semi-arid and subtropical shrublands, savannah grasses, spinifex tussocks and other low shrubs. These genus-level descriptions should not be treated as proof that every habitat type is occupied by Strophurus trux.

Habitat: Structure and climate

Retain connected patches of shrubs, grasses and other low vegetation, together with branches or stems that can be used for climbing and night-time foraging.

No species-specific elevation range, tree size, canopy cover, soil depth, fire interval or microclimate measurements are provided.

The wider genus experiences strong seasonal and daily variation, including hot conditions above 40 degrees Celsius and cooler periods below 15 degrees Celsius. These figures describe the genus broadly, not a confirmed microclimate requirement for this species.

  • During pre-clearing inspections, search stony rises and hills with intact shrubs, grasses and climbing structure, including habitat that appears sparse or partially disturbed.
  • Map the extent and connectivity of suitable vegetation around rocky features, not only the area directly occupied by large trees.
  • Retain low vegetation and standing woody structure where this is compatible with the project design.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding

The diet and detailed feeding behaviour of Strophurus trux have not been documented in the supplied sources. Its nocturnal activity and arboreal habit indicate that surveys should focus on vegetation and climbing structure at night.

No species-specific diet, prey list, hunting method or food plant is reported.

As general information for Strophurus, related species use grasses and shrubs and feed at night. The supplied genus account states that some phasmid geckos hunt flying insects from within grasses, but this has not been demonstrated specifically for Strophurus trux.

Documented diet: Not reported for this species

Feeding time: Likely nocturnal, based on the species' documented nocturnal activity

Known prey or food plants: Not reported

Foraging habitat: Foraging structure and range

The species is described as arboreal and was located by spotlighting in stony hills. Low shrubs, grasses, branches and other narrow climbing surfaces are therefore relevant search and habitat features.

No foraging range, home range, perch height, prey density or movement distance has been reported.

  • Search vegetation and climbing structure within stony hill habitat after dark, using a consistent spotlighting route and recording search effort.
  • Inspect vegetation retained along drainage lines, rocky margins and project edges where it remains connected to larger habitat patches.
  • Avoid clearing apparently unused vegetation before nocturnal fauna searches are complete.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

The species lays eggs, but its breeding season, nest site, incubation period, maturity and lifespan are not documented in the supplied sources. Breeding habitat should therefore be inferred only cautiously from its known use of stony hills and vegetation.

Breeding mode: Oviparous

Breeding season: Not reported

Clutch size: Two eggs

Gestation or incubation: Not reported

Age at maturity: Not reported

Lifespan: Not reported

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

No species-specific nest substrate, egg-laying site, incubation temperature or shelter used by females is reported.

As a precaution, retain intact stony hill habitat with connected shrubs, grasses and climbing structure. Avoid disturbing loose ground cover, rock margins and sheltered vegetation until seasonal use has been assessed.

  • Schedule targeted nocturnal searches before clearing and repeat searches if suitable habitat remains within the work area.
  • If eggs or a suspected laying site are found, stop work locally and obtain advice from the project ecologist and relevant Queensland authorities.
  • Record the substrate, vegetation, rock cover, height and orientation of any breeding observation without moving eggs or dismantling shelter.

Sheltering habitat: Likely refuge features

Specific refuges used by Strophurus trux have not been described. The species is arboreal and occurs in stony hills, so both vegetation-based refuges and rocky shelter may be relevant during the day.

The supplied sources do not identify dens, burrows, tree hollows, roosts, refuge dimensions or preferred shelter temperatures for this species.

General Strophurus information describes use of spinifex tussocks, savannah grasses, shrubs and branches. It also notes that some species remain within vegetation rather than fleeing to ground shelter.

  • Retain dense grass tussocks, shrubs, low branches and standing woody stems within occupied or potentially occupied habitat.
  • Inspect rock piles, crevices, fallen timber and dense vegetation during pre-clearing checks, while avoiding unnecessary disturbance.
  • Treat small vegetation clumps and narrow branches as potential shelter because the gecko is less than 50 mm long.
  • Use staged clearing and fauna spotter catcher supervision where suitable habitat cannot be retained.

Sheltering habitat: Refuge information gaps

No dimensions are available for shelter sites, and no records are provided for use of hollows, burrows or built structures. Project-specific observations should be recorded because they may improve future habitat assessment.

Known refuge size: Not reported

Burrow or den use: Not reported

Tree hollow use: Not reported

Day shelter: Not reported for this species

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The species has a very restricted documented range and is associated with a small area of central Queensland. Direct habitat loss and fragmentation are therefore important project risks, although species-specific studies of threats are limited.

Clearing stony hills, shrubs, grasses and climbing structure can remove habitat used for feeding, shelter and potentially breeding.

A small known range means that a single development footprint may affect a meaningful part of the documented distribution. Fragmentation can also isolate small habitat patches and reduce movement between them.

  • Avoid clearing known or potential habitat wherever practicable.
  • Keep habitat patches connected and retain vegetation around rocky features and along project margins.
  • Set out no-go areas before vegetation removal and verify them in the field.

Threats: Construction, roads and fire

Road construction, vehicle movement, night lighting, vibration and earthworks can disturb animals and increase the risk of direct mortality during clearing.

The supplied sources do not provide species-specific evidence on road mortality, fire response, predation, disease or hydrology change. These risks should still be considered because they can alter small patches of vegetation and rocky habitat.

Broad Strophurus information describes environments affected by drought, intense storms, high temperatures and seasonal changes. It does not provide a fire interval or fire regime for Strophurus trux.

  • Use fauna spotter catchers during clearing of suitable habitat and check felled vegetation, rock piles and retained edge habitat.
  • Limit vehicle speeds and unnecessary night lighting near known or potential habitat.
  • Plan fire management to retain a mosaic of shelter and feeding vegetation rather than removing all low cover.
  • Prevent sediment, altered drainage and construction runoff from entering rocky habitat and associated vegetation.

Threats: Predators, disease and illegal collection

No species-specific information is provided on predators or disease. The small body size and restricted range mean that any new pressure should be documented and referred for expert assessment.

The broader Strophurus account warns that legally sourced captive animals are important because wild collection and illegal wildlife trade can harm native populations. Do not collect animals for project relocation without the required approvals and an approved method.

  • Report unusual mortality, sick animals, repeated predation or suspected illegal collection through the project environmental management system and relevant authorities.
  • Use approved capture, holding and release procedures only, with biosecurity controls between sites.

Survey methodology: 1. Spotlighting

Strophurus trux is a small, cryptic, nocturnal gecko known from central Queensland. Surveys should focus on night detection in rocky habitat and on low vegetation and other climbing structures. No species-specific survey effort or detection probability is provided in the supplied documents, so the project ecologist must set effort using the applicable state survey guideline and document the rationale.

Undertake night searches because the species is nocturnal and live individuals have been found by spotlighting at night.

Prioritise stony hills, rocky ground, low shrubs, grasses and other vegetation that can provide climbing structure.

Search retained habitat within and beside the disturbance footprint, including likely movement routes and isolated habitat patches.

Use a slow, quiet search method and record the search time, personnel, route, weather, moon conditions, start and finish times, and all animals detected.

Allow enough time for observers to inspect small geckos, as adults have a maximum reported snout to vent length of 48.8 to 49.6 mm and may be faintly patterned or nearly plain.

Known activity period: Nocturnal

Maximum reported snout to vent length: 48.8 to 49.6 mm

  • Conduct spotlighting during the period when the species is expected to be active, after dark and during suitable conditions for reptile movement.
  • Use multiple observers where safe, with each observer recording a separate search track or clearly defined area to prevent double counting.

Survey methodology: 2. Targeted habitat inspection

Inspect rocky slopes, stony ground, shrubs, grasses, branches and other low vegetation for geckos, shed skin, tracks and other signs.

Search both the ground and vegetation because the species is reported as arboreal and has been found in stony hills.

Include habitat immediately outside the clearing boundary, as the known range is very small and the species may use connected or adjoining patches.

Photograph and record the exact location and habitat context of any suspected individual before attempting capture.

Reported range size in the supplied dataset: 10 km²

Known distribution: Central Queensland, including the Mt Redcliffe type locality

  • Use daytime inspection to map rocky habitat, vegetation structure, access tracks and potential refuge sites that will guide night searches.
  • Do not rely on daytime absence as evidence that the species is absent.

Survey methodology: 3. Survey design and repeat checks

Design survey coverage around the proposed clearing area, adjoining retained habitat and any connected rocky or shrubby habitat that could be affected by construction access, machinery or spoil placement.

Repeat searches where the first survey is affected by poor visibility, unsafe access, heavy rain or other conditions likely to reduce detection.

Use the applicable Queensland and project survey guidance to set the number of nights, search hours, transect length, area searched and any trapping effort. The supplied documents do not provide species-specific values for these measures.

If trapping is proposed, obtain the required approvals first and use methods, checking intervals and animal welfare controls specified by the relevant authority.

  • Record survey effort as person-hours, nights, kilometres or hectares searched, trap nights where applicable, and the area covered.
  • Record non-detections as well as detections, with enough spatial detail to show which habitat was actually searched.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Complete a documented habitat assessment and nocturnal survey program designed for the project footprint and adjoining retained habitat.
  • Use the current relevant state survey guideline where one applies, and state clearly when the guideline does not specify an effort level for Strophurus trux.
  • Submit verified records, including photographs, coordinates, date, time, observer and survey effort, to the relevant Queensland wildlife database and any project biodiversity database required by the approval.
  • Report all records to the project ecologist and approval holder before clearing proceeds.
  • Keep original field sheets, photographs, GPS tracks, animal handling records and release or treatment records with the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoiding removal of suitable rocky and shrubby habitat is the preferred control. The species has a restricted known distribution in central Queensland, so clearing decisions should be based on confirmed habitat mapping and the current approval conditions.

Retain rocky hills, stony ground, low shrubs, grasses and connected vegetation wherever practicable.

Keep intact habitat outside the clearing footprint connected to other retained habitat, particularly where the project could isolate a small patch.

Avoid unnecessary removal of branches and low vegetation that may provide climbing or shelter sites.

Do not use the reported 10 km² range value as a substitute for site-specific habitat assessment.

Known distribution: Central Queensland, Queensland

Known type locality: Mt Redcliffe, 8 km south southwest of Marlborough

  • Map retained habitat, rocky features, vegetation patches and proposed disturbance limits before finalising the construction footprint.
  • Place compounds, access tracks, stockpiles, drainage works and spoil areas outside retained habitat where practicable.
  • Set site-specific exclusion areas and buffers through the ecological risk assessment and approval conditions, because the supplied documents do not specify a buffer distance.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Confirm the current EPBC Act status and whether the action requires referral or approval before clearing or other habitat disturbance.

Check Queensland wildlife, animal ethics and fauna handling requirements before any survey trapping, capture, relocation or treatment.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies survey areas, habitat exclusions, authorised personnel, stop-work triggers, release sites, injury response and reporting requirements.

Stage clearing so that the smallest practical area is opened at one time and retained habitat remains available while works proceed.

  • Use the current protected matters search and project approval documents to confirm whether additional conditions apply.
  • Schedule the most disruptive works outside periods identified by the project ecologist as presenting elevated risk to nocturnal reptiles, unless an approved management plan requires otherwise.
  • Brief operators and supervisors on the species identification features, including the bright yellow to golden brown iris and small size.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete a pre-clearance inspection of the approved disturbance area and its edge shortly before works begin.

Mark rocky habitat, retained vegetation, exclusion zones, access routes and any habitat features identified during the inspection.

Use fauna exclusion fencing only where it can be installed and maintained without directing animals into machinery paths or trapping them against barriers.

Ensure the fauna spotter catcher has safe access, suitable lighting, capture equipment, holding containers and a documented release or treatment process.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing daily while it is in use and repair gaps, undercuts and damage promptly.
  • Fence or mark habitat only after checking that no animal is trapped inside the exclusion area.
  • Do not begin clearing until the spotter catcher, machinery operators and environmental representative have completed the pre-start briefing.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Clearing should proceed as a controlled, supervised operation. The fauna spotter catcher must be able to see the work area, direct machinery and stop work before habitat is removed or an animal is harmed.

Inspect the work area each day before machinery starts, including the clearing edge, access routes, stockpiles and retained habitat.

Use a fauna spotter catcher authorised under the project approval and state requirements whenever clearing or habitat disturbance is underway.

Clear in small, controlled sections so the spotter catcher can inspect vegetation, rocks and ground features before they are removed.

Maintain a clear communication method between the spotter catcher, machine operator, supervisor and environmental representative.

Stop machinery immediately when the spotter catcher cannot safely inspect the next clearing section or when an animal is detected.

  • Keep machinery outside marked exclusion areas unless the environmental representative has approved access.
  • Do not allow spoil, rock, timber or equipment to cover retained habitat or block an agreed release site.
  • Recheck the work area after breaks, shift changes, heavy rain, equipment changes and any unplanned movement outside the approved footprint.

During habitat disturbance: Handling habitat features

Inspect rocks, logs, loose bark, low shrubs, grasses and branches before moving or removing them, because the species is small and may use ground or vegetation refuges.

Move habitat features only under the direction of the fauna spotter catcher and where this is allowed by the fauna management plan.

Place salvaged rocks, logs and suitable vegetation in nearby retained habitat only where the receiving area has been assessed as safe and appropriate.

Do not assume that a feature is unoccupied because no animal is visible during a brief inspection.

  • Use mechanical lifting or repositioning only when the spotter catcher has confirmed that the feature can be moved safely.
  • Do not dismantle or burn habitat features during active clearing without an inspection and approval under the fauna management plan.
  • Treat any hollow-bearing tree, burrow, rock pile or dense vegetation patch as a potential fauna refuge until checked.

During habitat disturbance: If a gecko is found

Stop work in the immediate area and allow the spotter catcher to assess the animal.

Only an appropriately authorised and trained person should capture, handle, identify or relocate the gecko.

Minimise handling time and keep the animal shaded, secure and at a suitable temperature while its release or treatment is arranged.

Release the animal into nearby retained habitat selected by the project ecologist and approved under the fauna management plan.

Take an injured animal to an appropriately qualified wildlife veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer as soon as practicable.

  • Do not retain the animal for photography, identification or teaching longer than authorised and necessary.
  • Do not relocate the animal across roads, into isolated habitat or outside the approved release area.
  • Record the species identification, location, time, condition, handler, action taken and release or treatment outcome.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

Stop work if Strophurus trux is found, if an animal may be trapped in the clearing area, if a marked exclusion zone is breached, or if the fauna spotter catcher cannot safely inspect the work area.

Escalate repeated detections, injury, mortality, unauthorised clearing or habitat damage to the project manager and environmental representative immediately.

Maintain daily records of cleared area, machinery used, personnel, weather, inspections, detections, relocations, injuries, mortalities, breaches and corrective actions.

  • Restart work only after the fauna spotter catcher and environmental representative confirm that the control has been applied and the approval conditions remain satisfied.
  • Submit records and verified photographs to the project biodiversity database and relevant government database as required.
  • Review the clearing method if detections continue or if the actual habitat differs from the pre-clearance assessment.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance inspection

Post-clearing checks should confirm that no animal remains in the disturbed area and that retained habitat, exclusion controls and release sites remain functional. Any detection or injury should be managed under the approved fauna management plan.

Inspect the completed clearing area, clearing edge, access tracks and retained habitat after each clearing stage.

Check for live or injured geckos, carcasses, disturbed rocks, damaged vegetation, broken exclusion fencing and machinery incursions.

Use nocturnal spotlighting in retained habitat where the project ecologist considers further detection work necessary, particularly after staged clearing or repeated records.

  • Complete a final inspection before demobilising the fauna spotter catcher from the work area.
  • Record the cleared area, retained habitat, inspection effort, detections and any corrective action.
  • Report any live animal or mortality immediately through the project reporting chain.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and control maintenance

Maintain habitat exclusion fencing, signage and access controls for as long as construction activity could affect the retained habitat.

Monitor retained rocky and shrubby habitat for disturbance, weed invasion, erosion, fire damage and loss of connectivity.

Use the monitoring results to adjust access, stockpiling, lighting, drainage and other construction controls.

  • Inspect controls after storms, flooding, earthworks or changes in the construction footprint.
  • Continue monitoring for the period required by the approval or fauna management plan.
  • Use consistent locations, methods and effort for repeat monitoring so that results can be compared over time.

After habitat disturbance: Reporting and offsets

Provide the approval holder and relevant regulators with a completion report covering survey effort, habitat removed and retained, fauna interactions, relocations, injuries, mortalities, incidents and corrective actions.

Update the project risk assessment if the species is detected or if the occupied habitat differs from the pre-clearance prediction.

Determine whether offsets, restoration actions or additional approval conditions apply through the EPBC Act decision and relevant Queensland requirements.

  • Do not treat relocation records as evidence that impacts were avoided.
  • Retain all spatial data, photographs, field sheets and fauna records with the project close-out documentation.
  • Submit confirmed records to the relevant state wildlife database.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should recreate the structural features used by this small, nocturnal gecko rather than relying only on ground cover. The supplied documents provide limited species-specific rehabilitation information, so design should be based on the recorded use of rocky hills, low vegetation and climbing structure, with advice from the project ecologist and Queensland authorities.

Reinstate locally appropriate shrubs, grasses and other low vegetation that provide cover and climbing structure.

Retain or replace suitable rocks, coarse woody debris and branches within rehabilitated areas where this is safe and consistent with the site design.

Reconnect rehabilitated patches with retained vegetation where practicable, rather than creating isolated planting islands.

Use locally sourced native plant material suited to the central Queensland site and the approved rehabilitation plan.

Recorded habitat context: Stony hills and arid environments in central Queensland

Reported habitat habit: Arboreal, with use of vegetation and climbing structure

  • Do not import rocks, soil, timber or plants from unknown sources that could introduce weeds, pests or unsuitable habitat conditions.
  • Keep rehabilitation areas free from unnecessary night lighting and repeated vehicle access.
  • Design drainage and erosion controls so that rehabilitated rocky and shrubby habitat is not scoured or buried.

Rehabilitation actions: Fauna features and threat controls

Place salvaged rocks, logs and branches in stable arrangements that provide refuge without creating hazards for workers or fauna.

Use nest boxes only if site assessment identifies a suitable need and the project ecologist confirms that they are appropriate for this gecko.

Control weeds so that native shrubs and grasses can establish and retain suitable structure.

Manage domestic, introduced and feral predators in accordance with the approved site plan and legal requirements.

Apply fire management that protects establishing vegetation and retained rocky habitat, using the relevant regional fire planning advice.

  • Inspect placed habitat features after storms, fire, earthworks and maintenance activities.
  • Do not use nest boxes or artificial refuges as a substitute for retaining natural rocky and vegetated habitat.
  • Keep rehabilitation works outside retained habitat unless the works are necessary to protect or improve that habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor plant establishment, weed cover, erosion, habitat feature condition, connectivity and unauthorised access.

Include nocturnal spotlighting in suitable retained and rehabilitated habitat where the project approval or fauna management plan requires species monitoring.

Use the same search routes and recording standards for repeat surveys, and report effort as person-hours, nights, distance or area searched.

Set success measures before works begin, including survival and cover of planted native vegetation, stability of reinstated rocks and logs, functioning connectivity and absence of uncontrolled weeds or erosion.

  • Continue monitoring for the period specified by the approval and until the success measures are met.
  • Investigate any decline in habitat condition or repeated mortality and apply corrective action promptly.
  • Submit confirmed species records and rehabilitation monitoring results to the relevant state wildlife database and project regulator where required.

Sources