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Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus gulbaru)

The Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Gecko is a small, nocturnal gecko restricted to rocky rainforest gullies in the Paluma Range, north-west of Townsville, Queensland. It is listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act and in Queensland, so clearing, burning, rock removal and disturbance near streams require particular care on development sites.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

The documented cycle includes reproductive activity from spring to autumn, gravid females and egg laying in December, and a reported incubation period of about 60 days. The species is nocturnal and shelters in rock fissures and among boulders, so rock disturbance can harm animals in any month, with the highest evidence-based risk from December to March.

Reproductive mode: Oviparous, females lay eggs.

Clutch size: Two shelled eggs per female in the documented observations.

Incubation: Approximately 60 days at 26°C in captivity. The reported eggs failed, with fully formed embryos present.

Size at hatching: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not confirmed for this species. Related Phyllurus guidance indicates approximately 2 to 3 years.

Nest or egg sites: A specific nest site was not recorded. Boulders and rock fissures near streams are potential egg-laying and shelter sites.

Breeding frequency: Listed as one breeding event per year, but wild breeding frequency is poorly documented.

Confirm timing at each site against local rainfall and temperature conditions, current night surveys and the presence of gravid females, eggs or juveniles before clearing.

  • Mating: The listed breeding season is September to November. Sexually mature males were in peak reproductive condition in early March, and mating was inferred to continue until at least autumn.
  • Gravid females: Four gravid females, each carrying two shelled eggs, were recorded on 3 December. No other months have been confirmed for gravid females.
  • Egg laying: The listed breeding season is September to November. One female laid two eggs about two weeks after being collected with eggs on 3 December, placing the documented laying observation in December.
  • Incubation: The reported captive incubation period was approximately 60 days at 26°C. Eggs laid in December would be expected to remain in incubation through January and February, although the documented eggs failed.
  • Hatchlings: Wild hatching and juvenile emergence have not been recorded. January and February are a planning window inferred from the December laying observation and approximately 60-day incubation period, with hatchlings of closely related Phyllurus species reported to be independent from hatching.
  • Active period: Adults are nocturnal and emerge after dark to hunt on rock surfaces. No seasonal inactive period or activity peak has been recorded, so surface activity should be assumed possible year round.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest from December to March, when gravid females, eggs and potential hatchlings are most likely based on the documented observations and incubation period. Rock disturbance remains a risk in every month because animals shelter in fissures and among boulders during the day.

Identification

The Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Gecko is a small, flattened, grey gecko with irregular dark blotches and a cylindrical, tapering tail. It is usually found at night on vertical rocks, among boulders or in rock fissures beside streams.

The head is large, depressed and triangular, with a deep vertical groove that partially divides the rostral scale. The body is covered in small granules and very small spinose tubercles, with larger pale conical tubercles on the head, neck and flanks. The original tail is cylindrical, slightly depressed, contracted at the base and tapered to a fine tip with a small rounded white knob.

Reported adult SVL: 81.2 to 93.0 mm

Reported original tail length: 87.2 to 88.9 percent of SVL in the type series

Reported juvenile: 54 mm SVL with a 41 mm original tail

  • Dorsal colour is grey with irregular dark blotches on the head, body, limbs and tail.
  • The original tail has about eight cream bands, although some bands are poorly defined. The attenuated tail tip is white.
  • The underside is generally off-white to cream, with limited brown peppering and darker pigmentation on parts of the forelimbs and postcloacal region.
  • Digits are strongly compressed distally and strongly banded.
  • A regenerated tail is more bulbous at the base, lacks the original cream bands and has uniform granules arranged in fine concentric rings.

Identification: Separating similar geckos

The cylindrical, tapering tail separates the Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Gecko from most Australian leaf-tailed geckos. The closest comparison in the source material is the Ringed Thin-tail Gecko, Phyllurus caudiannulatus.

  • Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Geckos have a partially divided rostral scale, whereas P. caudiannulatus has a completely divided rostral scale.
  • Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Geckos have very small spinose body tubercles. P. caudiannulatus has much larger spinose body scales.
  • Do not rely on the tail alone. Regenerated tails lack the original cream bands and may have a bulbous base.
  • The geographically neighbouring Mount Elliot Leaf-tailed Gecko, P. amnicola, is not the same species and is not closely related according to the genetic analysis reported in the source.

Identification: Field signs and sex

No diagnostic tracks, scats, calls, nests, sloughs or eyeshine characteristics are reported in the supplied documents. The most useful field sign is the animal itself, located by night on rock surfaces, in fissures, among boulders or occasionally on a slender tree trunk beside boulders.

Males have enlarged preanal organs and conspicuous cloacal spurs on the anterolateral margin. Females are identifiable in the breeding season when eggs can be visible or palpable only under appropriate fauna handling procedures.

Observed night activity: Began soon after dark

Reported night observations: 12 individuals over two nights, including 6 males, 5 females and 1 juvenile

Regenerated tails in that sample: 75 percent

  • Search vertical rock faces, boulder fields and rock fissures close to streams after dark.
  • Record whether the tail is original or regenerated, because tail shape and banding assist identification.
  • Photograph the head, rostral scale, tail and dorsal tubercles before capture where practicable.
  • Do not remove rocks or widen fissures to locate an animal.

Distribution: Known range

The species is endemic to Queensland and is known from a very small area in the southern Paluma Range. Surveys reported in the source material did not locate it in rainforest to the north or south of Pattersons Gorge.

All reported individuals came from Pattersons Gorge, about 37 km west of Townsville, in north-east Queensland. Records are from Palm Tree Creek and an unnamed tributary of Black River, at approximately 19°17′S to 19°20′S and 146°28′E to 146°29′E.

Area of occurrence estimate: 23 km²

Area of occupancy estimate: 14 km²

Known subpopulations: Probably two subpopulations within Pattersons Gorge

Separation: The two subpopulations are separated by an area of unsuitable habitat

  • State: Queensland only.
  • Bioregional setting: the southern Paluma Range in north-east Queensland. The supplied documents do not assign the species to a formal IBRA bioregion.
  • Known localities: Palm Tree Creek and an unnamed Black River tributary in Pattersons Gorge.
  • The range is associated with isolated rainforest remnants south of a dry break in rainforest along the Paluma Range.

Distribution: Strongholds and status

Pattersons Gorge is the only documented stronghold in the supplied material. Suitable habitat was noted immediately to the north on the Paluma Range, but surveys there did not locate the species and found Northern Leaf-tailed Geckos instead.

Population size, density and numerical trend are not reported. The documented condition is a very small, fragmented distribution with continuing habitat loss from severe and unmanaged fire.

  • Only a small fraction of suitable habitat receives some protection in Mt Cataract State Forest.
  • Pattersons Gorge lies just south of the Wet Tropics World Heritage boundary.
  • Treat any record from outside the known gorge localities as important for confirming the current range.
  • Do not infer absence from a daytime search. The species is nocturnal and associated with specific rocky streamside habitat.

Habitat: Vegetation and setting

The Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Gecko uses rocky rainforest gullies in a matrix of open eucalypt woodland. Its known habitat is closely associated with boulders, rock fissures and streams.

The documented habitat is microphyll to notophyll vine forest dominated by Hoop Pine, Araucaria cunninghamii. These rainforest gullies occur within open Eucalyptus woodland and are concentrated in steep, rocky drainage lines.

Key vegetation: Hoop Pine dominated microphyll to notophyll vine forest

Surrounding vegetation: Open Eucalyptus woodland

Key landform: Rocky gullies near streams

  • Prioritise rainforest gullies with Hoop Pine and vine forest vegetation.
  • Retain the connection between rainforest patches, rocky gullies and stream margins.
  • Map the surrounding open woodland because burning or clearing there can reduce the quality and connectivity of the rainforest refuge.
  • The supplied documents do not provide a confirmed elevation range or temperature limit.

Habitat: Structural features

The species was found amongst boulders and rock fissures on vertical rock surfaces. One individual was foraging low on a slender tree trunk amongst boulders.

  • Retain boulder fields, exposed vertical rock faces and natural fissures.
  • Avoid blasting, rock removal, grouting or infilling of fissures in occupied gullies.
  • Protect streamside rainforest structure, including low trunks and shaded rock surfaces.
  • Maintain leaf litter, shade and vegetation cover around boulders where these do not conflict with safety requirements.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

The supplied species account does not identify particular prey items or quantify foraging range. As a nocturnal leaf-tailed gecko, it should be assessed around rocky streamside surfaces and low vegetation where it becomes active after dark.

The species account records one individual foraging low on a slender tree trunk amongst boulders. It does not report stomach contents, prey species or feeding rates. Information from the broader Australian leaf-tailed gecko group indicates a diet that includes spiders, crickets, cockroaches, moths and beetles.

Reported feeding observation: One individual was foraging low on a slender tree trunk amongst boulders

Foraging range: Not reported

Group-level prey examples: Spiders, crickets, cockroaches, moths and beetles

  • Search for foraging animals on vertical rocks, boulders, fissures and low trunks after dark.
  • Retain native vegetation and ground structure that support nocturnal invertebrate prey.
  • Avoid unnecessary night lighting near occupied rocky rainforest gullies because it may alter gecko activity and prey behaviour.
  • Do not apply pesticides in or beside occupied habitat unless required for a documented safety or biosecurity reason.

Foraging habitat: Site assessment

For project surveys, treat boulder fields and rock fissures close to streams as potential feeding habitat even when no animal is seen. The species begins activity soon after dark, so daytime searches are not an adequate assessment of foraging use.

  • Undertake targeted night searches after dark in suitable gullies.
  • Record the distance of each observation from the nearest stream, boulder field and rainforest edge.
  • Keep lighting directed away from rock faces and streamside vegetation where night works are unavoidable.
  • Use the presence of prey-rich rainforest structure as supporting habitat evidence, not as a substitute for a species detection.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding has been documented in the rocky rainforest habitat of Pattersons Gorge. Females carrying two shelled eggs were recorded in December, and males were in peak reproductive condition in early March.

Four gravid females encountered on 3 December each contained two shelled eggs. One female laid two oval eggs in captivity. The eggs were incubated in vermiculite at 26 degrees Celsius for approximately 60 days, but failed with fully formed embryos present on dissection.

Males collected in early March were sexually mature and in peak reproductive condition. The source infers that mating may continue until at least autumn and that females may store sperm through winter. Age at maturity, lifespan, hatching success in the wild and the timing of juvenile independence are not reported.

Breeding observations: Four gravid females recorded on 3 December

Clutch size: Two shelled eggs per female in the reported observations

Incubation: Approximately 60 days at 26 degrees Celsius in captivity

Mating period: Inferred to continue at least until autumn

Sperm storage: Females may store sperm through winter, based on the source account

Age at maturity: Not reported

Lifespan: Not reported

  • Treat rocky streamside rainforest, boulder fields and fissures as potential breeding habitat.
  • Avoid clearing, vibration, rock removal and night disturbance around occupied gullies during the documented breeding period.
  • Do not handle gravid females unless authorised and necessary for fauna management.
  • Record eggs, juveniles and reproductive condition separately in survey data.

Breeding habitat: Breeding structures

The source does not identify a specific nest chamber or egg-laying crevice. Because all records were associated with boulders and rock fissures near streams, these features should be treated as potential laying and shelter sites.

  • Retain stable boulders, deep fissures and shaded rock surfaces in rainforest gullies.
  • Prevent sediment, concrete, spoil and runoff from entering fissures or accumulating around boulders.
  • Inspect the footprint and buffer of works for adults and juveniles before clearing.
  • Where eggs or a gravid female are found, stop work in the immediate area and follow the approved threatened species procedure.

Sheltering habitat: Known refuges

The species shelters in rocky streamside habitat rather than in documented tree hollows or burrows. The available records show repeated use of boulders, rock fissures and vertical rock surfaces.

All individuals were found at night amongst boulders and rock fissures close to a stream. Most were head down on vertical rock surfaces, and some were inside rock fissures. The species account does not provide refuge dimensions.

Typical refuge setting: Boulders and rock fissures close to a stream

Observed surface position: Mostly head down on vertical rock surfaces

Refuge dimensions: Not reported

Tree hollows and burrows: Not reported as shelters for this species

  • Retain boulders in place and avoid dismantling rock piles or natural outcrops.
  • Protect fissures from filling, sealing, blasting, vibration and compaction.
  • Keep shaded vertical rock surfaces and adjacent rainforest vegetation intact.
  • Treat apparently empty fissures as potential refuges because animals may be concealed during the day.
  • Do not assume a regenerated tail indicates that a refuge is unoccupied.

Sheltering habitat: Handling during works

The species is nocturnal, so animals may be hidden in fissures or under boulders during daytime works. Clearing methods that disturb rocks can injure animals even when pre-clearance searches find none.

  • Use a qualified fauna spotter catcher for any work affecting rocky rainforest gullies.
  • Search suitable rock faces and fissures at night before disturbance where safe and permitted.
  • Use hand methods near retained habitat where practicable.
  • Place captured animals only in an approved nearby release site that retains rocky, streamside rainforest features.
  • Record the original refuge type and location for every relocated animal.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main documented threats are the very small fragmented range, clearing of dry rainforest and severe or unmanaged fire. Development can add direct habitat loss, rock disturbance, fragmentation, altered drainage, light and road impacts.

The species occupies a very small area of fragmented habitat, with an estimated area of occurrence of 23 km² and area of occupancy of 14 km². Clearing rainforest gullies, removing boulders or isolating occupied patches can remove shelter, breeding and feeding sites at the same time.

  • Avoid clearing rocky rainforest gullies and streamside vegetation.
  • Retain habitat links between boulder fields and rainforest patches.
  • Do not use the small size of a proposed clearing to dismiss its effect, because the species has a highly restricted range.
  • Survey and map all rocky rainforest habitat within and beside the project footprint before design finalisation.

Threats: Fire and vegetation change

The source reports ongoing destruction of dry rainforest habitat by fire, including severe burning at the type locality after the species was discovered. Burning and grazing can convert rainforest to Eucalyptus woodland and isolate small habitat pockets.

  • Prevent escaped construction fires, poorly controlled burns and hot works near rainforest gullies.
  • Keep fire management plans separate from assumptions that rocky habitat is fireproof.
  • Retain rainforest canopy, vine forest structure and shaded rock surfaces after any fuel reduction activity.
  • Inspect firebreaks and access tracks for impacts on boulder fields and streamside vegetation.

Threats: Project-related risks

The supplied documents do not provide species-specific studies of roads, predators, disease or hydrology change. These risks should still be managed because roads, altered drainage, night lighting, machinery and introduced predators can degrade the narrow rocky streamside habitat on which the species depends.

  • Keep roads, laydown areas, spoil and machinery out of occupied gullies and boulder fields.
  • Prevent sediment, fuel, concrete washout and contaminated runoff from entering streams or rock fissures.
  • Maintain natural drainage and avoid diverting or dewatering streams beside known habitat.
  • Use fauna exclusion and pre-clearance procedures for all rock and vegetation disturbance.
  • Manage domestic animals and other introduced predators around project compounds.
  • Do not collect, advertise or retain animals. The broader leaf-tailed gecko group is targeted by illegal wildlife trafficking.
  • Use shielded, low-spill lighting and limit night works beside occupied habitat.
  • The supplied documents do not report a species-specific disease threat, road mortality rate or predator study.

Survey methodology: 1. Nocturnal spotlighting

Survey for the Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Gecko should target rocky rainforest gullies with boulders, rock fissures and nearby streams in the southern Paluma Range area. The species is nocturnal and has a very restricted known distribution, so habitat-based nocturnal searches are more appropriate than broad, untargeted fauna surveys.

Search after dark, when the species becomes active. Individuals in the original survey were found soon after dark, on vertical rock surfaces, in rock fissures and on low tree trunks among boulders.

Focus searches on boulder fields, rock fissures and vertical rock faces close to streams within microphyll to notophyll vine forest, especially Hoop Pine dominated gullies.

Inspect both the rock surfaces and the adjacent low vegetation because one surveyed individual was foraging on a slender tree trunk amongst boulders.

Documented survey effort: Twelve individuals were encountered over two nights, including 6 males, 5 females and 1 juvenile.

Activity period: Activity began soon after dark.

Tail condition in encounters: 75% of the 12 encountered individuals had regenerated tails.

  • Undertake repeated nocturnal searches on more than one night where suitable habitat may be affected.
  • Record the start and finish time, weather, recent rainfall, temperature if measured, search route, searchers, search area and all detection locations.
  • Do not rely on a single negative search, because the species occurs in small, separated subpopulations and can be difficult to detect.

Survey methodology: 2. Targeted habitat inspection

Map and inspect all rocky streamside rainforest within and adjacent to the proposed disturbance area before finalising the survey design.

Identify gullies, boulder accumulations, rock fissures, vertical rock faces and stream margins. Include suitable habitat in retained areas that could receive relocated animals.

Search the full area of suitable habitat where practicable, rather than sampling only vegetation plots, because the known distribution is concentrated in rocky microhabitats.

Known distribution: Known from Pattersons Gorge at Palm Tree Creek and an unnamed tributary of the Black River, about 37 km west of Townsville.

Estimated area of occurrence: 23 km².

Estimated area of occupancy: 14 km².

  • Record the location and condition of each suitable rocky rainforest patch, including connections between patches and areas separated by unsuitable habitat.
  • Document evidence of fire, conversion to Eucalyptus woodland, grazing, clearing or other changes that could reduce rainforest cover or connectivity.
  • Extend targeted searches into adjoining suitable rainforest where access allows, because surveys north and south of Pattersons Gorge did not locate the species.

Survey methodology: 3. Daytime refuge and disturbance assessment

During daylight, inspect likely refuges without moving rocks or entering fissures unless this is authorised and necessary for the approved survey method.

Mark boulder fields, rock fissures, streamside rainforest and vertical rock surfaces that could be damaged by machinery, fire or changes to drainage.

Use the daytime assessment to plan safe nocturnal access and to identify habitat that must be retained or excluded from works.

  • Do not remove or rearrange boulders, rocks or fallen material during reconnaissance.
  • Treat all rocky rainforest gullies near streams as potential habitat until targeted survey and impact assessment are complete.
  • Record photographs, coordinates and habitat descriptions for each feature that may support the species.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use repeated nocturnal searches on suitable nights, with effort recorded in searcher-hours and the area searched; the source study provides two nights as documented effort but does not establish a statutory minimum for project surveys.
  • Set the timing and number of additional survey nights through a qualified ecologist, based on the amount of suitable habitat, proposed impact and detectability during the initial searches.
  • Use experienced personnel who can identify the species and distinguish it from other leaf-tailed geckos, including the geographically neighbouring Mount Elliot Leaf-tailed Gecko.
  • Record every observation, including negative results, with coordinates, date, time, habitat, behaviour, sex or age class where known, tail condition and photographs where this can be done without disturbance.
  • Submit confirmed records and survey results to the relevant Queensland wildlife database or other relevant state wildlife database, and provide records to the project approval agency where required.
  • Retain survey data, track logs, photographs, weather information, permits, incident records and habitat maps with the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat any suitable rocky rainforest habitat in the Townsville and southern Paluma Range region as high sensitivity habitat until assessed. The species has a very small, fragmented distribution and little of its known habitat is protected.

Known habitat: Boulders in gullies of Hoop Pine dominated microphyll to notophyll vine forest, with open Eucalyptus woodland as the surrounding matrix.

Known refuge setting: Rock fissures and vertical rock surfaces close to streams.

  • Avoid clearing rocky streamside rainforest, boulder fields, rock fissures and vertical rock faces wherever practicable.
  • Retain connected patches of rainforest between gullies and streamside refuges, because the species is known from separated subpopulations and fire, grazing and clearing can isolate habitat.
  • Keep construction access, laydown areas, spoil, drainage works and lighting out of retained rocky rainforest and stream margins.
  • Design the disturbance footprint around existing boulders, rock fissures and rainforest gullies rather than removing these features as a later mitigation measure.
  • Prevent conversion of retained rainforest to more open Eucalyptus woodland through unmanaged fire, sediment deposition, altered drainage or repeated vehicle access.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and planning

Documented conservation concern: The species was assessed in the source paper as Endangered under IUCN criteria because of its restricted and fragmented distribution and ongoing habitat loss from fire.

  • Check the current EPBC Act status and determine whether the proposed action requires referral or approval before works begin.
  • Check Queensland threatened-species requirements, permits and any local authority conditions before survey, handling, capture, relocation or habitat disturbance.
  • Prepare a species-specific fauna management plan where suitable habitat may be cleared or materially altered.
  • Stage works so that the smallest practicable area is exposed at one time and retained habitat remains connected throughout the project.
  • Obtain advice from the relevant wildlife authority before approving any relocation site or handling procedure.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete the targeted pre-clearance survey before machinery enters suitable rocky rainforest or streamside habitat.
  • Mark no-go areas, boulder fields, rock fissures, vertical rock faces, rainforest gullies and stream buffers on plans and in the field.
  • Install exclusion fencing around retained habitat where fencing can prevent machinery, people, spoil and materials from entering without blocking required fauna movement.
  • Brief all operators on the species, its appearance, nocturnal activity, no-go areas, stop-work triggers and the fauna spotter catcher's authority.
  • Control access, night lighting, dust, sediment and fire so that retained rocky rainforest and streamside refuges are not degraded.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Use a fauna spotter catcher with clear authority to stop work. The spotter should work ahead of machinery and protect rocky rainforest, boulders, fissures and streamside refuges from direct and indirect damage.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing, no-go markers, access routes and retained habitat before work starts each day.
  • Keep the fauna spotter catcher where they can see the active work face, boulder fields, rock fissures and any material being moved.
  • Stop machinery before rocks, boulders, logs or vegetation are moved if the spotter cannot inspect the feature safely.
  • Use staged, low-speed removal of vegetation and loose material, with the spotter checking each section before machinery proceeds.
  • Keep spoil, concrete washout, fuels, sediment and rubbish away from retained rainforest, boulders, fissures and streams.
  • Avoid night works in or beside suitable habitat unless they are specifically assessed and controlled, because the species is active soon after dark.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat feature handling

  • Do not break, roll or crush boulders and do not fill rock fissures unless this is unavoidable, authorised and covered by the fauna management plan.
  • Treat streamside boulders and rock faces as potential refuges even when no gecko is visible.
  • Move any approved habitat features slowly and only under the direction of the fauna spotter catcher and the relevant permit conditions.
  • Keep retained rocks, logs and vegetation in place wherever possible, and place any authorised salvaged material in nearby retained habitat with similar shelter and moisture conditions.
  • Prevent fire, grazing, sediment and altered runoff from reaching retained rocky rainforest and streamside habitat.

During habitat disturbance: If a gecko is found

  • Stop the relevant work immediately and establish a quiet exclusion zone around the animal.
  • Do not handle the gecko unless the person is authorised under the relevant permit, approval and fauna management plan.
  • Photograph and record the animal in place where this can be done without disturbance, including coordinates, time, habitat feature and nearby works.
  • If relocation is authorised and necessary, move the animal only to nearby retained rocky rainforest with boulders or fissures, stream proximity and comparable shelter, following the approved method.
  • Do not release an animal into an unassessed patch, across a road or into isolated habitat.
  • Transfer an injured animal to an appropriately authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian as soon as practicable, and record the outcome.
  • Resume work only after the fauna spotter catcher has confirmed that the animal is clear of the work area and that the approved controls are in place.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work if a Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Gecko is found within the impact area or if machinery damages a marked refuge, boulder field, rock fissure, stream margin or retained rainforest patch.
  • Stop work if exclusion fencing fails, the spotter loses sight of the work face, an unauthorised person handles fauna or an animal is injured.
  • Notify the project environmental officer and the relevant approval or wildlife authority when required by the permit or approval.
  • Record all sightings, captures, relocations, injuries, deaths, habitat damage, weather conditions, work locations, machinery used and corrective actions.
  • Update the site risk assessment and fauna management plan after any detection or incident before work recommences in that area.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance work should confirm that no animals or important refuges were missed and that retained rocky rainforest remains functional. The restricted distribution means that small losses or breaks in connectivity can matter.

  • Complete a fauna spotter catcher inspection of the cleared edge, retained boulders, rock fissures, stream margins and access routes after each work stage.
  • Undertake additional nocturnal searches where suitable habitat was disturbed, an animal was detected, or rocks and vegetation were moved.
  • Check that no boulders, fissures, streamside rainforest or retained habitat connections have been buried, crushed, exposed to fire or isolated by the finished works.
  • Remove temporary materials, waste, spoil and fencing that could block movement or damage retained habitat, unless fencing is required for ongoing protection.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor retained and rehabilitated rocky rainforest using repeat nocturnal searches, with the same locations, search areas and effort recorded on each occasion where practicable.
  • Compare post-work detections, habitat condition and connectivity with the pre-work survey results.
  • Report all confirmed records, injuries, mortalities, relocations, habitat damage and management actions to the project environmental officer and relevant authorities.
  • Submit confirmed records to the relevant Queensland wildlife database or other relevant state wildlife database, as applicable to the approval and project location.
  • Keep monitoring records with photographs, coordinates, searcher-hours, weather, habitat condition and any maintenance actions.

After habitat disturbance: Controls, offsets and corrective action

  • Maintain exclusion fencing, fire controls, drainage controls and no-go markers until the environmental officer confirms that the risk has ended.
  • Repair erosion, sediment movement, damaged stream margins and breaks in habitat connectivity promptly.
  • Determine whether an offset, restoration commitment or additional conservation action is required under the EPBC Act, Queensland requirements or project approval conditions.
  • Escalate continuing habitat loss, repeated fire impacts or new gecko detections for review of the project controls and approval conditions.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should recreate the rocky, moist streamside rainforest setting used by the species. Protecting the site from fire and maintaining shelter around boulders and fissures are as important as replanting vegetation.

Documented vegetation setting: Hoop Pine, Araucaria cunninghamii, dominated microphyll to notophyll vine forest in gullies.

Key structural features: Boulders, rock fissures, vertical rock surfaces and nearby streams.

  • Re-establish native rainforest vegetation in cleared gullies and stream margins, using locally appropriate species from the Hoop Pine dominated microphyll to notophyll vine forest community.
  • Retain and reinstate boulders, stable rocks and rock fissures where approved, placing them to provide shaded, moist shelter rather than exposed piles in open ground.
  • Reconnect retained rainforest patches to reduce isolation between suitable gullies and streamside refuges.
  • Keep rehabilitation areas free from spoil, vehicle access, grazing and unmanaged burning.

Rehabilitation actions: Fire, weeds and predators

  • Prepare and implement a fire management approach that prevents severe or unmanaged burning of dry rainforest and avoids converting rainforest to Eucalyptus woodland.
  • Inspect rehabilitation areas for weed invasion and remove weeds using methods that do not disturb boulders, fissures or stream margins.
  • Control access by vehicles, people and grazing animals until vegetation and shelter features are established.
  • Manage introduced predators or other predation risks where they are identified through the project risk assessment and approval conditions.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

  • Monitor planted vegetation survival, rainforest cover, weed cover, erosion, stream condition, boulder and fissure stability, fire damage and connectivity between habitat patches.
  • Use repeat nocturnal searches in rehabilitated and retained habitat to check for Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Geckos, recording search effort and conditions consistently.
  • Treat successful rehabilitation as retention or recovery of shaded native rainforest with stable rocky refuges and streamside shelter, not only plant survival.
  • Repair failed plantings, erosion, fire damage, weed invasion or displaced rocks when monitoring shows that habitat function is declining.
  • Report rehabilitation outcomes and gecko records to the approval authority and relevant wildlife database where required.

Sources