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Inland Broad-nosed Bat (Scotorepens balstoni)

The Inland Broad-nosed Bat is a small Australian insectivorous microbat found mainly across inland arid and semi-arid areas. It roosts in tree hollows and built structures, so clearing, demolition and hollow-bearing tree removal can affect individuals and breeding colonies. It is listed as least concern nationally and is not listed as threatened in any Australian state or territory, but in Queensland it is treated as a least concern colonial breeder and breeding places receive additional protection.

Conservation status

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Colonial breeder. Least concern in Queensland, but it breeds in colonies, so tampering with a breeding place needs a high risk species management program rather than the low risk program.

Breeding season

The Inland Broad-nosed Bat breeds in the warmer months, with regional variation. Southern populations mate in April to May and usually give birth around mid-November, while northern populations may mate in September and breed from October to February.

Breeding mode: Sexual reproduction. Mating occurs before winter in southern populations and in September in northern populations.

Litter size: Usually one or two young. Twins are usual in some areas, and triplets have been recorded in northern populations.

Gestation: Not recorded.

Young development: Young open their eyes and develop fur by about 15 days. They begin exercising their wings after about 30 days and can fly and hunt independently at about five weeks.

Weaning and maturity: Weaning age and age at sexual maturity are not recorded.

Breeding places and colonies: Colonies and maternity roosts may occur in tree hollows, building roofs and other structures such as power-pole caps and water pipes. Recorded colonies contain up to 45 bats. Site fidelity is not recorded for this species. An active breeding place is indicated by pregnant or lactating females, pups, or repeated emergence activity. Use acoustic detectors, emergence watches and, where safe and authorised, harp traps or mist nets to investigate activity. Inspect hollow-bearing trees with an endoscope or pole camera where practicable.

Timing can shift between years and regions, so confirm local activity with dusk emergence observations, acoustic monitoring and inspection of potential roosts before clearing or construction.

  • Mating, southern and northern populations: Mating is recorded in April to May in southern populations and in September in northern populations.
  • Pregnancy, births and lactation: Births and lactation occur mainly from October to February, with southern births commonly around mid-November.
  • Dependent young in maternity roosts: Dependent young may be present from the birth period until they become volant and independent at about five weeks.
  • Colonial roost use and evening activity: The species is active year round, usually beginning to forage around dusk and using hollows or structures for daytime roosting.
  • Highest clearing risk: The highest risk is from September to February, when maternity colonies, pups and dependent young may be present, with some additional risk during southern mating in April to May.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Inland Broad-nosed Bat is a moderate-sized microbat with a broad, square muzzle. It is usually detected at works sites by roost inspection, evening emergence activity or echolocation, rather than by daytime sightings in open areas.

Fur ranges from dark brown to pale sandy or light grey-brown. The belly is usually paler. The muzzle is broad and square when viewed from above, with swollen glandular pads on either side. The ears are short and slender, and the tail is enclosed in the tail membrane.

The head and body measure about 42 to 59 mm. Forearm length is about 32 to 41 mm. Weight is generally 6 to 14 g and mean wingspan is 278 mm.

Identification: Calls and similar species

The species uses echolocation while flying. Recorded echolocation frequencies are about 34.1 to 38.7 kHz in Western Australia and 28 to 34 kHz in New South Wales. Frequency varies between regions and overlaps with other small broad-nosed bats, so an acoustic recording should not be treated as a stand-alone identification.

Potentially similar species include the Little Broad-nosed Bat, South-eastern Broad-nosed Bat and other Scotorepens species. Confirm difficult records with a suitably experienced bat ecologist using call characteristics, measurements, distribution and, where lawful and necessary, a captured animal.

Identification: Field signs

This species does not build a nest. Look for small dark droppings below hollows, roof voids, bridge joints, pipes and other suspected roost entrances. Droppings may be mixed with those of other bats and are not diagnostic on their own.

Other useful signs include bat odour, staining or polished surfaces around an entrance, audible social calls, and repeated bat activity at dusk. Absence of droppings or visible bats does not confirm that a hollow or structure is unused.

  • Inspect hollow entrances and roof voids from a safe position.
  • Use an Anabat or similar detector during emergence and activity surveys.
  • Record the location, height, entrance type, surrounding vegetation and any evidence of recent use.

Distribution: States and regions

The Inland Broad-nosed Bat is endemic to Australia and is widespread across inland arid and semi-arid country. It is generally not distributed east of the Great Dividing Range.

The species is mapped in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

Important inland areas include the semi-arid Mallee of north-western Victoria, inland New South Wales, arid and semi-arid South Australia, the Northern Territory, inland Queensland and broad areas of Western Australia. In Western Australia it occurs in the Northern Wheatbelt, the south-western interzone, the Murchison and parts of the deserts and rangelands.

Distribution: Regional habitat patterns

In Western Australia it is associated with Mulga, Salmon Gum, Gimlet and York Gum woodlands. In Victoria it is associated with open and dryland woodlands in the Mallee. In arid areas it is often associated with river red gums along drainage lines and near water.

The species can occur in modified areas where suitable roost structures remain, including buildings, power poles and water infrastructure.

Distribution: Site assessment

Do not rule out the species because a site is dry, cleared or highly modified. During project planning, check mature trees, drainage lines, water points, old buildings and infrastructure that could provide roosts or nearby foraging habitat.

  • Map hollow-bearing trees and large dead trees.
  • Check buildings, bridges, culverts, pipes and pole caps where access is safe.
  • Consider records from the surrounding landscape, not only the project footprint.

Habitat: Vegetation types

The species uses open inland landscapes with suitable roost trees and nearby insect habitat. Retaining connected woodland, mature trees and water-associated vegetation reduces the risk of removing both roosts and feeding areas.

Suitable habitat includes open woodland, dryland woodland, Mulga woodland, Mallee, shrubland and grassland. River red gum-lined watercourses are used in arid areas, especially where trees follow drainage lines.

Woodland edges and scattered mature trees can remain useful in agricultural, grazing, road and construction landscapes.

Habitat: Features to look for

Prioritise large old trees, dead hollow-bearing trees, trees with multiple cracks or hollows, loose bark and trees near water. The species often roosts close to the ground compared with some other bats, so inspect lower trunks, low hollows and nearby structures as well as high canopy hollows.

  • River red gum corridors and drainage lines.
  • Mature woodland patches and isolated hollow-bearing trees.
  • Standing dead trees and trees with loose or peeling bark.
  • Water points, dams, creeks and other insect-rich areas.

Habitat: Works planning

Retain roost trees and surrounding vegetation where practicable. Avoid treating a single tree as an isolated feature. Bats may move between several roosts and feeding areas, and roost use can change with season and weather.

  • Include hollow-bearing trees in the initial site constraints plan.
  • Stage clearing so suspected roosts can be assessed before disturbance.
  • Keep lighting, noise and machinery away from active roost entrances where practicable.

Foraging habitat: Flight and hunting areas

The Inland Broad-nosed Bat is an aerial insectivore that usually starts hunting around dusk. It flies continuously below the tree canopy, often close to the ground and near water or woodland edges.

The species usually forages within about 15 m of the ground. It flies between trees, along forest edges and into open areas, but generally does not fly above the canopy.

In semi-arid country, feeding activity is often concentrated near water sources and roosting sites. It may drink while flying.

  • Below woodland canopies and along tree lines.
  • Edges between woodland, grassland and cleared land.
  • River red gums, creeks, dams and other water-associated vegetation.
  • Open areas beside mature trees and roost structures.

Foraging habitat: Food

The diet consists of night-flying insects. Recorded prey includes beetles, ants, bugs, moths, flies, grasshoppers, cockroaches, termites, crickets and cicadas.

Foraging time: Usually begins around dusk, earlier than many other bat species.

Typical flight height: Usually within 15 m of the ground.

Foraging habitat: Development considerations

Clearing woodland, removing water-associated vegetation and reducing insect abundance can affect feeding habitat even when no roost is found. Insecticide use can also reduce prey and may expose insectivorous bats directly or through contaminated food.

Retain vegetation links between known or potential roosts and nearby water or woodland edges. Avoid directing bright lighting onto roost entrances, flight paths and water edges.

Breeding habitat: Breeding period

Females give birth in the warmer months and may use shared roosts where young are raised. A hollow or structure containing dependent young should be treated as an active breeding place and left undisturbed until the young are flying and the site has been cleared by a suitably qualified ecologist.

In southern areas, mating is reported in April to May, with young born around mid-November. In northern areas, mating has been observed in September and births occur later in the warmer months. Pregnancy, birth and lactation have been recorded from October to February.

Most microbats give birth to one young each year in the warmer months. For this species, one or two young are usual, twins are common and triplets have been recorded in northern areas.

Breeding habitat: Suitable maternity habitat

Potential maternity sites include tree hollows, roof spaces and other enclosed structures that provide stable shelter. The species may share a building roost with other bats, including Little Mastiff Bats.

A maternity roost may be in a live or dead tree. Do not assume that a small entrance, low hollow or apparently poor-quality tree is unimportant.

  • Large old trees with multiple hollows or cracks.
  • Dead hollow-bearing trunks and limbs that remain structurally stable.
  • Roof voids, wall cavities and enclosed building spaces.
  • Structures near woodland, drainage lines or water.

Breeding habitat: Confirming a maternity roost

Confirmation is strongest when pregnant or lactating females, dependent pups or repeated emergence of adults and young are observed. A roost inspection may use an endoscope or pole camera where this can be done safely and without entering or disturbing the cavity.

Use acoustic monitoring, emergence watches and, where authorised and appropriate, harp traps or mist nets to support identification. Trapping should be undertaken only by trained and permitted personnel, with animal welfare controls in place.

  • Do not fell or seal a suspected maternity tree before the breeding assessment is complete.
  • Avoid disturbance during spring and summer when young may be dependent.
  • If young are found, stop work around the roost and obtain project-specific ecological advice.

Sheltering habitat: Natural roosts

Day roosts provide shelter, predator protection, social contact and breeding space. Roosts may be used at different times of year, and a site that appears empty during one inspection may still be important.

The main natural roost is a hollow in an old tree. Useful features include cavities in trunks and limbs, multiple entrance holes, cracks, loose bark and sheltered spaces in dead trees.

The species has been recorded in river red gum country, open woodland, Mallee and other inland dryland habitats. Retain the largest suitable hollow-bearing trees where practicable.

Sheltering habitat: Built and artificial structures

The species has been recorded in roofs of houses and other buildings, under metal caps on power poles and in water pipes. As a microbat, it may also investigate enclosed infrastructure such as culverts, bridges, stormwater structures and similar cavities.

Caves and disused mines can support large numbers of microbats in some regions, although tree hollows and structures are the better documented roost types for this species.

  • Roof voids and wall cavities.
  • Power pole caps and water pipes.
  • Culverts, bridge joints and flood mitigation structures.
  • Caves, mines and rock overhangs where present.

Sheltering habitat: Inspection and protection

Inspect entrances at dusk and watch the night sky for emerging bats. Use an endoscope or pole camera for hollows where access is safe. Avoid blocking entrances, filling cavities, cutting loose bark or removing nearby vegetation before the roost assessment is complete.

If a tree must be removed, use a staged or soft-felling approach where approved by the project ecologist. This can include lowering limbs and sections slowly, checking cavities before each cut and leaving suitable sections on the ground for a period where safe and appropriate.

Colonies and breeding places: What a colony or maternity roost looks like

The Inland Broad-nosed Bat is a colonial breeder. One tree hollow, roof space or other breeding place can contain a substantial proportion of the local group, so the loss of one site can have a larger effect than the loss of a single animal.

A colony may occupy a hollow, roof void, wall cavity, pipe or other enclosed space. The species has been recorded in groups of up to 45 individuals. Microbats may also share structures with other species.

A maternity roost is a colony site where females raise young. It may contain adults, pups or both, and may show repeated evening emergence, audible social calls, droppings below the entrance, staining or a noticeable bat odour.

Recorded group size: Up to 45 Inland Broad-nosed Bats.

General microbat roosting: Ten or more bats may use one tree hollow. Some cave and mine roosts hold hundreds or thousands of bats, particularly during breeding.

Colonies and breeding places: Site use and fidelity

Roost use can change with season, weather and daily conditions. Microbats may alternate between several roosts, and a site may only be occupied at certain times of year. Treat a suitable hollow or structure as potentially active even when no bats are seen during one inspection.

  • Survey across more than one evening when the site may be significant.
  • Consider spring and summer breeding use as well as winter congregation.
  • Check nearby alternative hollows and structures before approving removal.

Colonies and breeding places: Surveying an active breeding place

Use an emergence watch at dusk, supported by Anabat or similar acoustic monitoring. Where identification or occupancy remains uncertain, a permitted harp trap or mist net survey may be appropriate. Inspect accessible hollows with an endoscope or pole camera, taking care not to injure bats or disturb pups.

An active maternity roost is confirmed by pregnant or lactating females, dependent pups, or repeated evidence that young are being raised at the site. Do not enter, seal, fell or demolish a suspected breeding place until the assessment is complete.

  • Record emergence numbers, timing, direction of flight and weather.
  • Look for pups that cannot fly and adults returning to the roost.
  • Use a suitably qualified ecologist to interpret acoustic and trapping results.

Colonies and breeding places: Protection during clearing

Maternity colonies need special care because dependent young cannot leave a roost quickly. Avoid disturbance during the maternity period. If removal is unavoidable, use an approved exclusion or staged removal plan outside the maternity season, after confirming that no bats remain.

Exclusion devices should allow bats to leave but prevent re-entry. They must not be installed while dependent young are present. Bat boxes can provide supplementary shelter, but they do not replace an occupied hollow or confirmed maternity roost.

  • Retain the roost tree or structure wherever practicable.
  • Use two-stage or soft felling for hollow-bearing trees where removal is approved.
  • Install exclusion devices only outside the maternity season and under ecological supervision.
  • Use bat boxes as supplementary habitat, not as a substitute for retaining natural hollows.

Threats: Hollow-bearing tree removal

The main risks on development and land management sites are loss of roosts, disturbance of maternity colonies and removal of nearby feeding habitat. Works planning should address both the roost itself and the surrounding landscape.

Clearing old trees, dead trees and trees with loose bark can remove day roosts and maternity places. Felling can kill bats directly, particularly when a hollow contains pups or a large group.

Retain the largest suitable hollow-bearing trees where practicable. If removal is approved, inspect the tree and use staged or soft felling under an agreed fauna management procedure.

  • Map all hollow-bearing trees before clearing.
  • Avoid removing trees with active emergence or maternity evidence.
  • Retain standing dead trees where they are safe to keep.

Threats: Demolition and infrastructure works

Roof demolition, bridge repairs, culvert works, pipe replacement and power pole maintenance can disturb or destroy roosts. Sealing a building or structure can trap bats inside or separate dependent young from adults.

Inspect enclosed structures before demolition or repair. Use controlled exclusion outside the maternity period, with follow-up checks to confirm that bats have left.

  • Check roof spaces, wall cavities, bridge joints, culverts and pipes.
  • Do not cap or seal a suspected roost without an exclusion plan.
  • Keep workers away from active entrances during emergence and return flights.

Threats: Loss of feeding habitat

Clearing woodland, drainage-line vegetation and water-associated habitat removes foraging areas and can break links between roosts and feeding sites. Modified fire regimes and changes to woodland structure can also affect habitat quality.

Avoid unnecessary clearing around mature trees, river red gums, woodland edges and water points. Retain vegetation corridors where practicable.

Threats: Lighting, chemicals and disturbance

Bright lighting can alter bat movement around roosts, water and feeding edges. Insecticides can reduce prey and may expose insectivorous bats directly or through contaminated insects. Noise, vibration and repeated entry into a roost can cause abandonment or injury.

Use low-spill lighting and direct it away from roost entrances and likely flight paths. Plan noisy or high-vibration work outside sensitive periods where practicable, and follow project-specific chemical controls.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Survey for the Inland Broad-nosed Bat should combine habitat inspection, acoustic detection and targeted checks of potential roosts. Survey results are most useful when they identify how bats use each tree, structure and nearby feeding area, not just whether bats are present.

Map hollow-bearing trees, dead trees, loose bark, buildings, bridges, culverts, water pipes, power poles, caves and disused mines within and near the work area.

Record nearby open woodland, mallee, shrubland, grassland, river red gum drainage lines and water points. These habitats can provide roosting or low-level foraging habitat.

Check threatened species databases, previous ecological reports, planning approvals and landholder records. Treat old trees, connected hollows and known buildings or structures as potential roost habitat until assessed.

Typical roost group: Colonies or roost groups of up to 45 Inland Broad-nosed Bats have been recorded.

Foraging height: The species commonly forages below the tree canopy, usually within 15 m of the ground.

  • Confirm whether the project may affect a matter of national environmental significance and whether an EPBC Act referral is required.
  • Check state and local permit requirements before survey or disturbance work begins.
  • In Queensland, determine whether a high risk species management program is required for tampering with a breeding place of this least concern colonial breeder.

Survey methodology: 2. Acoustic and capture surveys

Use Anabat or a similar full spectrum or zero crossing detector at potential roosts, tree lines, water points, forest edges and open flight paths.

Deploy detectors from dusk through the first part of the night, with additional overnight recording where project risk or habitat quality warrants it. The species often starts foraging around dusk.

Use harp traps or mist nets only under an approved survey design and with appropriately trained personnel. Place equipment near suspected roost exits, water points or constrained flight paths, and avoid unsafe or excessive trapping.

Have an experienced bat ecologist review calls. The Inland Broad-nosed Bat can be confused with other broad-nosed bats, so acoustic identification may need confirmation from capture, measurements and distribution.

Recorded echolocation range: Published call frequencies include about 28 to 34 kHz in New South Wales and 34.1 to 38.7 kHz in Western Australia.

  • Survey in suitable weather, with low wind, no heavy rain and temperatures that support bat activity.
  • Repeat surveys when a maternity roost, important colony or high-risk hollow cannot be ruled out. Use more than one season where roost use may change.
  • Record detector model, location, height, start and finish time, weather, habitat, call files, call identification confidence and any capture details.

Survey methodology: 3. Roost and emergence checks

Watch likely hollow entrances, buildings, culverts, bridges, caves and mine entrances from before dusk until bat emergence has finished. Use infrared or thermal equipment where it improves detection.

Inspect accessible hollows, roof spaces and structures with an endoscope or pole camera. Do not enter unsafe caves, mines, roofs or confined spaces without the required safety controls.

Look for bats, pups, lactating females, urine staining, droppings, scratch marks, grease marks and repeated emergence activity. A maternity roost is confirmed by pregnant or lactating females, dependent pups or other clear evidence that young are being raised.

Where a tree is proposed for removal, inspect each accessible hollow and retain the tree for further observation if occupancy cannot be resolved.

Breeding period: Pregnancy, birth and lactation have been recorded from October to February. Southern populations may give birth around mid November, while mating can occur in April and May.

  • Record the tree or structure number, species or type, dimensions where relevant, hollow entrance, height, aspect, condition, evidence of use and photographs.
  • Map all confirmed and potential roosts, flight paths, nearby water and proposed clearing limits.
  • Treat a roost used by young as a breeding place.

Survey methodology: 4. Colony assessment

A colony or maternity roost may be in a tree hollow, roof, building, power pole cap, water pipe or another enclosed structure. Other microbat roosts can occur in fissures, loose bark, caves, mines, culverts and bridges, although use of each site must be confirmed for this species.

Expect a shared roost to contain several bats, with groups of up to 45 recorded for the Inland Broad-nosed Bat. Microbat colonies can be much larger in some caves or mines, particularly during breeding, so inspect these sites conservatively.

Bats may move between roosts with weather, season and disturbance. A site that is empty during one inspection may still be an important seasonal roost.

Give maternity colonies special protection because one hollow or building can contain a substantial part of the local breeding group. Disturbance can kill pups, separate young from females and remove a local roost for many years.

  • Confirm a maternity roost using pregnant or lactating females, pups, dependent young or repeated observations of breeding activity.
  • Use acoustic monitoring and emergence observations together where possible.
  • Record evidence of site fidelity, including repeated use of the same hollow or structure on separate visits.
  • Do not assume that an empty roost is unused without considering seasonal surveys and the surrounding habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Avoidance, approvals and permits

Plan clearing around roost protection first, then use staged controls for trees and structures that cannot be retained. Keep the project approvals, survey evidence and stop-work process clear to every person on site.

Retain known and potential maternity roosts, hollow-bearing trees, large old trees, loose-barked trees and vegetation around caves, mines, culverts and bridges wherever practicable.

Redesign access, services, crane pads and laydown areas to avoid roost trees and connected flight or foraging habitat. Keep nearby water points and low-level flight paths functional.

Obtain all approvals before disturbance. Consider an EPBC Act referral where the action may significantly affect a protected matter, and comply with any approval conditions.

In Queensland, obtain or implement the required high risk species management program before tampering with a breeding place of this colonial breeder. Check state wildlife permits and approvals in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia as applicable.

  • Nominate the project ecologist and fauna spotter catcher in the environmental management plan.
  • Mark no-go trees, roost structures, exclusion zones and retained habitat on plans and on the ground.
  • Keep approval documents, survey reports, permit conditions and contact details at the work front.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Pre-clearance survey and timing

Complete a pre-clearance inspection shortly before works. Recheck all trees and structures that have changed condition or have been left standing between survey and clearing.

Schedule removal of occupied or potentially occupied roosts outside the main maternity period wherever practicable. Avoid disturbance from spring through late summer when young may be present, and use the October to February breeding period as a conservative planning window.

Do not rely on a single night of negative activity to clear a suspected maternity roost. Use repeat emergence observations, acoustic monitoring or other measures recommended by the bat ecologist.

There is no established migration schedule for this species. Manage seasonal roost changes through repeat checks rather than assuming that bats have left the area.

  • Confirm weather is suitable for emergence observations and bat activity.
  • Check for pregnant or lactating females, pups and dependent young before approving removal.
  • Record the inspection date, observer, weather, tree or structure identification and decision for each risk site.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Exclusion and replacement planning

Use exclusion devices only where the bat ecologist confirms that no dependent young are present and that exclusion will not trap bats inside. Fit one-way devices securely and monitor them for continued use or failure.

Place exclusions outside the maternity season where practicable. Do not block all entrances to a roost until the site has been shown to be empty.

Provide replacement roosts before removing a roost where the approval or ecologist requires them. Select bat boxes or other roost structures for the local climate and species assemblage, and install them near retained habitat and flight paths.

Treat bat boxes as supplementary habitat. They do not replace a large hollow-bearing tree or a confirmed maternity roost.

  • Use several suitable replacement structures where a project removes more than one roost opportunity, subject to the approved design.
  • Orient and mount boxes to provide suitable thermal conditions, protection from predators and clear flight access.
  • Record the structure type, location, height, aspect, installation date and inspection schedule.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Crew induction and work controls

Induct all workers, machine operators and subcontractors before clearing. Show photographs or maps of retained roosts and explain the stop-work process.

Tell crews that bats may be hidden in hollows, roofs, pipes, bridge joints and other small cavities. Never place hands into a hollow or structure.

Set a visible exclusion zone around each retained roost and keep machinery, lighting and personnel outside it unless the fauna spotter catcher approves access.

Confirm that only authorised and trained personnel may handle, rescue, release or transport bats.

  • Provide the spotter catcher with authority to stop work immediately.
  • Display the fauna contact, wildlife rescue contact and project manager contact at the work front.
  • Brief crews on bite risk, hygiene, gloves, safe containment and rabies or Australian bat lyssavirus exposure procedures.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Use slow, supervised clearing and give every potential roost a chance to be checked before it is disturbed. Stop work whenever the site conditions differ from the approved method or a bat, pup, colony or breeding place is found.

Clear non-roosting vegetation first, then work towards retained habitat under fauna spotter catcher supervision. Keep escape routes open and avoid creating sudden isolation of retained trees.

For hollow-bearing trees, use a two-stage or soft-felling method where approved. First disturb or partly cut the tree so bats can leave, then leave it overnight or for the period specified by the ecologist before final removal.

Lower limbs and trunks slowly. Place hollow sections gently on the ground where practicable and inspect them before movement or cutting.

Use exclusion devices or staged removal for buildings, roofs, bridges, culverts and pipes only under the approved method.

  • Stop if a hollow opens, bats emerge, calls are detected, or fresh evidence of use is found.
  • Keep machinery clear while the spotter catcher inspects the tree or structure.
  • Do not burn, chip, bury or transport a hollow section until it has been checked.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Active breeding places and colonies

Stop work immediately if a maternity roost, active breeding place, colony, pup or lactating female is found.

Establish a quiet exclusion area. Keep people, machinery, vibration and unnecessary lighting away from the roost.

Contact the project ecologist and approval holder. Recheck the approval and Queensland SMP or other permit conditions before any further action.

Do not remove, seal, relocate or exclude the colony unless the approved method specifically allows it and an authorised wildlife professional is directing the work.

Maternity evidence: Pregnant or lactating females and pups indicate that a site is being used to raise young.

  • Protect the roost and surrounding vegetation until a revised method is approved.
  • Use emergence observations and acoustic monitoring to assess whether bats remain present.
  • If pups are found, leave them with the colony wherever possible. Do not separate them from the roost or mother.
  • Record the location, evidence, photographs, number of bats if safely estimated, age class, action taken and people notified.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handling, rescue and release

Handle bats only when necessary and only by authorised, trained personnel. The Inland Broad-nosed Bat can bite when captured, so use appropriate gloves, secure containers and hygiene controls.

Do not handle a bat bare-handed. Do not attempt to release a bat from height, into machinery areas or into unsuitable weather.

Place a rescued bat in a clean, secure, ventilated container with a cloth or suitable perch. Keep it quiet, shaded and away from heat, noise, children and pets.

Contact a licensed wildlife carer or veterinarian for injured, grounded, entangled or orphaned bats. Follow the project wildlife rescue and biosecurity procedure.

  • Treat any bite or scratch as a medical incident and follow Australian bat lyssavirus exposure advice immediately.
  • Record the finder, time, location, condition, photographs, container, transfer details and release or treatment outcome.
  • Do not feed or give water unless directed by a qualified wildlife carer or veterinarian.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Records and stop-work decisions

Keep a daily fauna log for each clearing front. Record inspections, roost checks, emergence observations, acoustic detections, animals handled, mortalities and stop-work events.

Use photographs and map coordinates for every confirmed roost, colony, replacement box and animal incident.

The fauna spotter catcher should sign off each stage of staged clearing before machinery moves to the next tree or structure.

Escalate unexpected findings to the project ecologist and regulator where required by approval or permit conditions.

  • Record weather, work hours, equipment, tree or structure number and clearing method.
  • Record whether the animal was released, transferred for care, found dead or not located after detection.
  • Keep records with the project environmental file and provide them to the approval holder.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-clearance checks

After clearing, check the work area and retained habitat for surviving bats, damaged hollows and unplanned impacts. Use the results to correct the method before the next clearing stage and to improve future work packages.

Inspect felled hollow-bearing trees, removed roofs, pipes, bridge components and other disturbed structures for bats, pups and signs of occupation before disposal or transport.

Walk the cleared area and retained vegetation at the end of each work period. Check for grounded, injured, trapped or dead bats.

Repeat emergence or acoustic checks at retained roosts where the work may have caused vibration, changed access or altered nearby vegetation.

Confirm that exclusion devices, temporary barriers and no-go markers remain secure and have not trapped animals.

  • Document all checks with date, time, observer, weather, location and findings.
  • Report any mortality, injury, trapped animal or unauthorised roost disturbance under the relevant approval or permit.
  • Repair or replace damaged roost structures and fences promptly.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Relocated and rescued animals

Track every animal transferred to a wildlife carer, veterinarian or approved release site. Obtain the outcome where possible.

Release recovered bats only under the direction of the wildlife carer, veterinarian or permit holder. Use a safe location near suitable retained habitat and avoid releasing into active machinery areas.

Where a bat has been displaced from a roost, ask the ecologist whether temporary holding, a replacement roost or a delayed release is appropriate. Do not move a maternity colony without an approved method.

Inspect the release area for hazards such as bright lighting, loose netting, open tanks and exposed chemicals.

  • Record species identification, sex and age class where safely known.
  • Record the original location, treatment, release location, date and authority for release.
  • Report any dead or euthanised animal according to permit and approval conditions.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Monitoring and compliance report

Monitor retained roosts and replacement structures at a level set by the approval, SMP, permit or project ecologist. Use emergence watches, acoustic detectors, endoscope inspections or other suitable methods.

Check bat boxes and artificial roost structures for occupation, damage, overheating, predators and access problems. Do not open an occupied maternity box without an approved inspection method.

Compare post-work activity with baseline observations where baseline data are available. Review whether nearby water, woodland edges and low-level flight routes remain usable.

Prepare a completion report that links each impact, control, incident and corrective action to the relevant tree, structure or work area.

  • Include maps, photographs, survey files, weather, effort, detections, handling records and mortality records.
  • State whether breeding places, colonies and known roosts were retained, excluded, removed or replaced.
  • Submit reports to regulators and approval holders within the required timeframe.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review every stop-work event, injury, mortality, failed exclusion and unexpected roost discovery with the fauna spotter catcher, ecologist, supervisor and project manager.

Identify whether the trigger was a survey gap, poor communication, equipment failure, unsuitable timing or a change in site conditions.

Update the clearing sequence, induction, maps, exclusion design and survey effort before work resumes in similar habitat.

  • Close out corrective actions with a named person and due date.
  • Share lessons with the next clearing crew and subcontractors.
  • Retain the review with the environmental records.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore roosting habitat

Rehabilitation should restore roosting, feeding and movement habitat rather than only replacing cleared vegetation. Give priority to large trees, hollows, water-associated woodland and dark, connected flight paths.

Retain live hollow-bearing trees, dead standing trees and large old trees wherever safe. Protect retained trees from soil compaction, root damage, firewood collection and unnecessary pruning.

Leave suitable fallen hollow logs and trunk sections in safe locations when they can provide shelter without creating a site hazard. Inspect sections for bats before moving them.

Plant and protect locally appropriate woodland species that can mature into future hollow-bearing trees. Maintain a range of tree ages so replacement hollows develop over time.

Restore river red gum-lined drainage areas, open woodland, mallee, shrubland and grassland edges where these habitats occur naturally at the site.

  • Use local provenance plants where practicable.
  • Connect retained trees with vegetation leading to water points, forest edges and other roost habitat.
  • Control grazing, erosion, firewood removal and vehicle access around rehabilitation areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Install supplementary roost structures

Use bat boxes, artificial hollows or other roost structures only where their design suits the local bat assemblage and the project ecologist supports their use.

Install structures before or soon after roost loss, with clear flight access and protection from machinery, vandalism and predators. Avoid placing them where excessive heat, glare or flooding is likely.

Use more than one design or thermal position where the local program allows, because roost preferences can vary between seasons and species.

Treat boxes and artificial structures as supplementary habitat. They do not compensate fully for the loss of a mature hollow-bearing tree or an active maternity roost.

  • Record location, height, aspect, structure type, installation date and maintenance needs.
  • Inspect structures using a non-destructive method and avoid opening an occupied maternity structure during breeding.
  • Repair, replace or relocate structures only under ecological direction and permit conditions.
  • Retain natural hollows and loose bark as the primary long-term roost resource.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Restore food and water resources

Revegetate foraging habitat below and between tree canopies, along forest edges and around suitable water points. The species commonly forages close to the ground and around water in semi-arid areas.

Protect dams, drainage lines, wetlands and other drinking sites from sediment, pollutants and excessive disturbance. Provide safe access where water infrastructure creates a drowning or entrapment risk.

Reduce broad-spectrum insecticide use in and around rehabilitation areas. If treatment is necessary, use the least harmful approved option and prevent contamination of water and prey habitat.

  • Maintain a mix of open and lightly vegetated flight paths.
  • Keep water surfaces accessible but cover or modify tanks and pipes that can trap bats.
  • Use local native plants that support a diverse insect community.
  • Avoid removing insect-rich leaf litter, fallen timber and understorey without a clear safety or weed-control reason.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Manage lighting, weeds and long-term monitoring

Keep retained roosts, water points and movement corridors dark. Direct unavoidable lighting away from hollows, box entrances, water and vegetation edges, and use the lowest practical intensity and shortest operating period.

Control weeds without damaging retained trees, hollows, loose bark or roost structures. Use staged weed treatment where bats or other fauna are using the area.

Monitor rehabilitation through acoustic detectors, emergence watches, roost inspections and habitat checks at intervals set by the project ecologist or approval.

Review monitoring results after seasonal changes and after major maintenance, fire, flooding or construction activity.

  • Record bat activity, roost occupancy, box condition, tree survival, weed cover, water condition and lighting changes.
  • Replace failed plants and repair damaged structures during suitable weather and outside sensitive breeding activity where practicable.
  • Continue monitoring until rehabilitation is established and the project success criteria are met.

Sources