Kate's Leaf-tailed Gecko (Saltuarius kateae)

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Endangered.

Breeding season

Kate’s leaf-tailed geckos are nocturnal and shelter in sandstone crevices during the day. Related species lay from September to January, so clearing near rocky refuges carries its greatest documented reproductive risk from September to April.

Reproductive mode: Oviparous, females lay eggs.

Clutch size: Two eggs.

Incubation: Approximately 70 to 100 days in closely related species. Incubation length is not recorded for Kate’s leaf-tailed gecko.

Size at hatching: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Likely 5 to 6 years in the wild. Maturity at 3 to 4 years has been reported under captive conditions for closely related species.

Nest or egg sites: Not recorded for Kate’s leaf-tailed gecko. A genus-level account states that Saltuarius eggs are buried in humid substrates.

Breeding frequency: Thought to be one clutch of two eggs per year. Up to four clutches have been reported in captivity for closely related species.

Confirm timing locally before works, particularly because rainfall and temperature may affect activity, egg laying and incubation, and the available breeding dates come mainly from related species in captivity.

• Mating: Mating dates are not recorded for Kate’s leaf-tailed gecko or the related species cited. September to January is used as a planning proxy because this is the documented egg-laying period for related Saltuarius species.
• Gravid females: The timing of gravid females is not recorded. September to January is used as a planning proxy from the related-species laying period, when females may be carrying eggs.
• Egg laying: Related Saltuarius swainii and Saltuarius wyberba laid eggs between September and January in captivity. Egg-laying months have not been confirmed for Kate’s leaf-tailed gecko in the wild.
• Incubation: Eggs in related species take approximately 70 to 100 days to hatch. Eggs laid from September to January may remain in nests from September to April.
• Hatchlings: Hatching is reported approximately 70 to 100 days after laying in related species. On that basis, hatchlings may occur from December to April, but abundance and emergence dates are not recorded for this species.
• Active period: The species is nocturnal and emerges at night to forage on sandstone outcrops. No seasonal activity pattern or peak is documented, so night activity should be assumed in all months.
• Highest clearing risk: The highest documented planning risk is September to April, combining the related-species laying period with the 70 to 100 day incubation period and possible hatchling emergence. Protect sandstone cracks, crevices, caves, boulder fields and nearby ground cover during works in this period.

Identification

Look for a relatively large, flat bodied gecko on sandstone outcrops at night. It is cryptic and may be difficult to detect away from rocky habitat, especially during the day.

The species is generally greenish grey to brown, with darker brown blotches. A distinctive brown stripe runs along the back and is broken by about 6 to 7 weak pale bands. There is usually a weak V shaped mark between the eyes. The original tail has continuing pale cross bands and narrows to a slender tip.

Total length: Approximately 20 cm

Snout to vent length: About 11 cm in the earlier description

Tail: Broad, flat and leaf or shield shaped

Identification: Distinguishing features

The combination of a strongly depressed body, large flat triangular head, broad leaf like tail and long spindly limbs helps separate Kate's leaf tailed gecko from other geckos. The species has a darkly pigmented dorsal surface, no large conical tubercles on the upper surface of the hand, no spinose tubercles along the upper surfaces of the digits, and an original tail ending in a short, slender, spinose tip.

• Do not rely on colour alone, because the gecko can make slight colour changes and individuals range from greenish grey to brown.
• Confirm identification against a current reptile key where other Saltuarius species may occur.

Identification: Field signs and sex

No species specific tracks, scats, calls, sloughs or nest signs are described in the supplied documents. Eggs are laid in suitable sheltered habitat, but the documents do not provide a reliable external nest sign for field detection. No dependable field differences between males and females are given.

• Search rock faces, crevices and boulder fields after dark rather than relying on daytime searches.
• Treat an animal found on a shed, screen door or outdoor furniture as a possible record, particularly where the structure is within about 300 m of rocky habitat.

Distribution: National range

Kate's leaf tailed gecko is restricted to north eastern New South Wales. The known range is small, but surveys have extended the recorded distribution beyond the sites known in earlier assessments.

The species is endemic to New South Wales. It occurs on the eastern side of the Clarence River, at the southern end of the Richmond Range, in north eastern New South Wales. The supplied documents do not assign the species to a named Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia bioregion.

States recorded: New South Wales only

Current extent of occurrence: 120 km², with an estimated range of 83 to 166 km²

Current area of occupancy: 84 km², with an estimated range of 56 to 112 km²

Recorded north to south span: Approximately 30 km, from Banyabba to Busby's Flat, south west from Grafton

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

Important records and habitat occur around Mount Marsh and Mount Neville, north of Grafton, where the species is strongly associated with large sandstone outcrops and boulder deposits. Other known areas include Banyabba, Busby's Flat and Wyans Creek Road. Earlier records covered four sites, including two private land sites near Wyans Creek Road, Mount Neville Nature Reserve and Banyabba Nature Reserve.

Earlier maximum separation of known sites: Approximately 22 km

Threat defined locations: One, because a single high intensity fire could affect habitat across the entire known distribution

• Check both public and private land because recently discovered habitat sites occur on private land.
• Retain records from structures and woodland away from outcrops because the species has been recorded in man made structures up to 300 m from rocky environments.

Distribution: Population size and trend

A reliable total population estimate is not available. Earlier assessments estimated 6 to 10 mature individuals per 100 m of high quality escarpment, but this should not be treated as a current population count. Surveys after the 2019 to 2020 fires found no more than three geckos at any of three known locations, and usually only one per site.

Earlier density estimate: 6 to 10 mature individuals per 100 m of high quality escarpment

Earlier potential estimate: Up to 2,200 mature individuals if approximately 22 km of escarpment were all high quality

Observed post fire density: No more than three geckos at each of three surveyed locations, usually one

Inferred post fire loss: Up to 50% at some sites based on observed densities compared with previous expectations

• Record the exact outcrop length searched, search conditions, observers and number of geckos detected so that future results can be compared.
• Do not infer absence from a single unsuccessful search because the species is cryptic and survey effort has historically been limited.

Habitat: Rock habitat

The species is primarily associated with sandstone rock habitat in open forest. The rock formations provide shelter, breeding sites and foraging surfaces, while surrounding vegetation supports prey, dispersal and habitat buffering.

The strongest association is with large sandstone outcrops, escarpments, weathered rock faces and boulder fields in the Kangaroo Creek Series sandstone. Crevices and caves provide refuge, breeding habitat and foraging areas. Rock faces and open rock surfaces are used at night.

• Map and protect outcrops, boulder deposits, caves, crevices and the vegetation immediately around them before clearing or construction begins.
• Include apparently isolated rock formations in habitat assessments because movement between sites may occur through surrounding woodland.

Habitat: Surrounding vegetation

Slopes around outcrops support dry sclerophyll forest with Pink Bloodwood Corymbia intermedia, Broad leaved Apple Angophora subvelutina and Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis. Woodland and forest on flats below outcrops, including areas with Allocasuarina species and Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera, provide buffers and may be used for dispersal and foraging.

• Retain ground cover around outcrops to support safe movement.
• Avoid treating woodland below or between outcrops as unrelated to the rocky habitat.

Habitat: Habitat extent and limits

Specific elevation limits are not provided. The species has been recorded in man made environments up to 300 m from rocky habitat, indicating that nearby woodland and forest can remain relevant even where continuous rock outcrop is absent. The species is sensitive to changes in vegetation cover because weed growth can shade rock faces and alter their thermal conditions.

• Assess the full work area around outcrops, including woodland, flats, ground cover and artificial structures within at least the recorded 300 m association distance.
• Record fire history, weed cover and the condition of rock faces as part of the habitat assessment.

Foraging habitat: Feeding sites and method

Kate's leaf tailed gecko is a nocturnal sit and wait predator. It emerges from rock shelters after dark and feeds on invertebrate prey associated with rock surfaces and nearby vegetation.

The species shelters during the day in sandstone cracks and crevices, then emerges at night to be active on open rock surfaces. It has also been observed or recorded in surrounding woodland and in man made structures, suggesting that foraging is not confined to the face of a single outcrop.

• Inspect rock faces, boulder fields, nearby woodland and structures such as sheds, screen doors and outdoor furniture during nocturnal surveys.
• Keep lighting, vehicle movement and handling to a minimum during night searches so normal feeding behaviour is not disrupted.

Foraging habitat: Diet and foraging range

The supplied documents describe the prey as invertebrates but do not identify particular prey taxa, food plants or a measured foraging range. Surrounding ground cover and woodland are likely to support foraging and movement, while changes to vegetation after fire or weed invasion may reduce prey availability and alter rock temperatures.

Documented diet: Invertebrates

Documented feeding period: Night

Documented foraging distance from rocky habitat: Man made structure records occur up to 300 m from rocky environments

• Retain native ground cover and vegetation around outcrops rather than clearing to the edge of the rock face.
• Control weeds using methods that do not damage crevices, caves, rock faces or nearby ground cover.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding ecology has not been studied directly in the wild. Available information comes from the species' biology and observations of closely related leaf tailed geckos in captivity, so breeding habitat should be protected wherever suitable rock refuges occur.

Females lay eggs, with two eggs laid at a time. Closely related species in captivity laid eggs between September and January, and multiple clutches may be produced in a season, with up to four reported in captivity. Conditions in captivity are more favourable than in the wild, so wild reproductive rates are likely to be lower.

Breeding season: September to January, based on closely related species in captivity

Clutch size: Two eggs

Clutches per season: Up to four reported in captivity; wild rates are likely to be lower

Incubation: Approximately 70 to 100 days

Age at maturity: Likely 5 to 6 years in the wild; 3 to 4 years has been reported under captive conditions

Generation length: Estimated at 9 years

Lifespan: Not established for this species; the supplied documents suggest it may be relatively long lived, possibly up to 20 years based on related leaf tailed geckos

Breeding habitat: Breeding features

Sandstone crevices and caves are identified as habitat for breeding as well as refuge and foraging. Large outcrops and boulder fields should therefore be treated as potential breeding habitat even when no geckos or eggs are found during a survey.

• Avoid clearing, blasting, vibration and direct disturbance of outcrops, caves, boulder fields and associated ground cover during the September to January laying period where practicable.
• Retain surrounding woodland and forest because it may support adult foraging, movement and post hatching habitat.

Sheltering habitat: Rock refuges

The main daytime refuges are sandstone cracks, crevices and caves. Shelter may also be available in boulder fields and in artificial structures near rocky habitat.

The species is thought to shelter during the day in cracks and crevices in sandstone. Large outcrops, weathered escarpments, boulder deposits and caves provide the main refuge structure. The documents do not give minimum refuge dimensions.

• Treat every accessible crack, cave, under boulder space and weathered rock face within suitable habitat as potential shelter.
• Do not fill, seal, clean out or disturb crevices during construction or rehabilitation works without an approved species management procedure.

Sheltering habitat: Ground cover and artificial shelter

Ground cover around outcrops is required for safe dispersal. The gecko has also been found in man made environments, including screen doors, outdoor furniture and sheds, up to 300 m from rocky environments. These records indicate that shelter and movement habitat can extend beyond continuous rock outcrop.

Recorded distance from rocky habitat: Up to 300 m for use of man made structures

Known refuge types: Sandstone cracks, crevices, caves, boulder fields and some man made structures

• Inspect sheds, outdoor furniture, screen doors and similar structures before relocation or demolition when they occur near sandstone habitat.
• Retain native ground cover and woodland links between rocky sites.
• If an animal is found in a structure, stop the immediate activity and obtain advice from the fauna spotter catcher or project ecologist before moving it.

Threats: Fire and vegetation change

The species has one highly restricted, threat defined distribution. A single high intensity fire could affect all known habitat, and several threats can interact by reducing shelter, prey, movement routes or post fire survival.

High frequency and high severity fire can cause direct mortality and reduce habitat quality. After the 2019 to 2020 fires, population losses of up to 50% were inferred at some sites, and the entire known range was burnt. Fire can remove adjacent understory, expose rock faces, reduce invertebrate prey and increase predation risk. Climate change is expected to increase fire frequency and intensity.

• Avoid unnecessary burning near outcrops and retain unburnt ground cover and woodland buffers where fire planning allows.
• Assess proposed fire management, hazard reduction and construction staging against the possibility that one event could affect the full known distribution.
• Survey burnt outcrops and adjoining habitat before concluding that fire has made a site unsuitable.

Threats: Clearing, fragmentation and construction

Clearing of outcrops, boulder fields, woodland links, flats and ground cover can remove refuge, breeding, foraging and dispersal habitat. The species may move through surrounding woodland and can occur in artificial structures up to 300 m from rocky habitat, so impacts are not confined to mapped rock faces.

• Avoid clearing sandstone outcrops, boulder fields, caves, crevices and the surrounding woodland and ground cover.
• Plan roads, easements, compounds and drainage works to avoid severing woodland connections between rocky sites.
• Inspect buildings and structures near rocky habitat before demolition, relocation or refurbishment.

Threats: Weeds

Weed encroachment, including lantana, can cover outcrops and shade rock faces. The resulting change in vegetation cover can alter rock temperatures and habitat suitability. Geckos were not detected where weeds had entirely covered otherwise suitable outcrops.

• Prevent soil and machinery movement from spreading weeds into rocky habitat.
• Remove weeds from outcrops using methods that protect rock faces, crevices, caves, eggs and ground cover.
• Monitor treated outcrops for recolonisation and for changes in shade and ground cover.

Threats: Introduced predators and collection

Feral cats and European red foxes occur in areas where the species has been detected and are inferred to contribute to decline. Foxes have been recorded using ground level caves as den sites in the same outcrops, and both predators can hunt more actively in recently burnt areas. Poaching is also a potential threat because rare reptiles are sought by the pet trade, and the species was available to European hobbyists by 2011.

• Keep food waste and other attractants away from work areas near known habitat.
• Report suspected collection, handling or unauthorised possession through the relevant project and government channels.
• Include predator activity and den sites in site inspections after fire and before works.

Threats: Other threats and evidence gaps

Cattle grazing and associated spring or early summer burning have been identified as possible risks at Wyans Creek. Limited dispersal, small distribution and potentially low genetic diversity may reduce the species' capacity to respond to climate change. No species specific disease or hydrology threat is documented in the supplied sources.

• Do not assume that absence of documented disease or hydrology impacts means those risks have been assessed at a particular site.
• Record changes to drainage, soil moisture, grazing, fire history and weed cover during project monitoring.

Survey methodology: 1. Map and inspect habitat first

Kate’s leaf-tailed gecko is a nocturnal, sit and wait predator associated with sandstone outcrops, escarpments, boulder fields and nearby woodland. The supplied documents do not provide a formal species-specific survey guideline or a prescribed effort standard, so project surveys should be designed by a qualified herpetologist and targeted to rocky habitat and adjoining dispersal areas.

Before selecting survey points, inspect the development footprint and adjoining retained areas for sandstone escarpments, rock faces, large outcrops, boulder deposits, caves and crevices.

Include dry sclerophyll forest on slopes and woodland or forest on flats below outcrops, because these areas may provide foraging, dispersal and buffering habitat.

Inspect man-made structures within approximately 300 m of rocky habitat, including screen doors, outdoor furniture and sheds, because the species has been recorded using these features.

Known distribution: Approximately Banyabba to Busby’s Flat, south-west of Grafton, over about 30 km from north to south.

Current extent of occurrence: 120 km², with a reported range of 83 to 166 km².

Current area of occupancy: 84 km², with a reported range of 56 to 112 km².

Survey methodology: 2. Nocturnal searches and spotlighting

Search suitable sandstone faces, boulder fields, caves, crevices and open rock surfaces at night, when the geckos are expected to emerge from daytime shelters and forage.

Use quiet, slow spotlighting and inspect both exposed rock surfaces and crevices at close range, without moving rocks or entering unstable cavities.

Extend searches into adjoining woodland, forest on slopes and flats, and structures within approximately 300 m of rocky habitat where access and safety allow.

Record the date, start and finish time, weather, recent rain, fire history, search route, habitat feature, observer names and every detection location.

Activity period: Nocturnal.

Day shelter: Cracks and crevices in sandstone.

Night activity: Open rock surfaces and nearby habitat used for sit and wait predation and foraging.

• Undertake surveys in weather suitable for nocturnal reptile activity, and document conditions that may reduce detection.
• Repeat searches across more than one night where the habitat is extensive, the species is a likely constraint, or the first survey is affected by rain, wind, cold, smoke or access limitations.
• Do not treat a non-detection as evidence of absence in this species’ small and patchy habitat without documenting the area searched and the conditions.

Survey methodology: 3. Targeted searches of refuges and surrounding habitat

During daylight habitat inspections, identify and map likely refuge, breeding and foraging features, including sandstone cracks, caves, escarpments and boulder fields.

Search the ground and lower rock faces carefully for geckos, sloughed skin, faeces or other signs, while avoiding disturbance to crevices and unstable rocks.

Check surrounding vegetation for dispersal habitat, including Pink Bloodwood, Broad-leaved Apple, Blackbutt, Allocasuarina and Turpentine communities.

Where fire has affected the site, compare burnt and unburnt outcrops and inspect weed cover on rock faces, because post-fire surveys found reduced detections and weed shading at recently burnt sites.

• Use a qualified herpetologist to determine whether a crevice or boulder feature can be inspected safely.
• Do not use destructive searches, remove boulders, dismantle rock piles or excavate crevices unless specifically authorised under the project approval and fauna management plan.
• Treat apparently suitable habitat with no detections as occupied until survey effort and the approval authority support another conclusion.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

• Use a written, site-specific survey design that states the number of survey nights, search hours, transect lengths or areas, observers, weather conditions and detection methods, because the supplied documents do not prescribe a minimum effort for this species.
• Cover all sandstone outcrops, boulder fields, caves, crevices and adjoining woodland or forest within the disturbance footprint and any proposed access or clearing area.
• Obtain approval from the relevant state or territory authority before handling, temporarily holding, surveying under permit or relocating a threatened reptile.
• Submit verified records, including coordinates, photographs, habitat description and survey effort, to the relevant state wildlife database and the Atlas of Living Australia where appropriate.
• Report the survey design, raw observations, non-detections, limitations, fire history and weed or predator observations in the project ecological assessment.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoiding disturbance to sandstone refuges and the connected woodland around them is the first control. The species has a highly restricted distribution, and a single high intensity fire may affect all known habitat in one event.

Habitat association: Large sandstone outcrops and boulder deposits in the Kangaroo Creek Series sandstone.

Recorded movement context: The species has been found in man-made environments up to 300 m from rocky habitat.

• Redesign the works to retain sandstone escarpments, large outcrops, boulder fields, caves, crevices and the woodland or forest around them.
• Retain ground cover and vegetation on slopes and flats that can support foraging and movement between rocky sites.
• Maintain connected habitat between outcrops and avoid creating isolated rock patches, because the species may disperse through surrounding woodland rather than relying only on continuous rock outcrop.
• Keep works, spoil, access tracks, stockpiles and lighting away from retained rock faces and refuge features wherever practicable.
• Control lantana and other weeds without covering, shading or damaging occupied rock faces, and avoid methods that collapse crevices or leave chemical residues in refuges.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

NSW status: Endangered under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Key reproductive information: Related species observations indicate eggs may be laid between September and January, but natural reproductive ecology for Kate’s leaf-tailed gecko is not published.

• Confirm the current Commonwealth threatened species status and determine whether the action requires an EPBC Act referral or approval before clearing, construction or infrastructure works.
• Obtain all required NSW or other state and territory approvals, threatened species licences and fauna handling authorities before work starts.
• Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies retained habitat, survey results, exclusion areas, authorised handlers, stop-work triggers, release sites, injury response and reporting responsibilities.
• Schedule clearing and ground disturbance outside periods of high fire danger and avoid burning near known or potential habitat.
• Use staged clearing so that retained rocky habitat and connected woodland remain available while each work area is assessed and made safe.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

Adult appearance: A relatively large, flat-bodied gecko of about 20 cm total length, usually greenish-grey to brown with darker blotches and a broad, leaf-like tail.

• Complete a targeted pre-clearance survey immediately before works, with nocturnal searches of rocky habitat and checks of structures within approximately 300 m of rocky environments.
• Mark all retained outcrops, boulder fields, caves, crevices, buffer areas and movement corridors on plans and on the ground.
• Install exclusion fencing around retained habitat where fencing can prevent machinery entry without blocking likely gecko movement between retained areas.
• Brief operators on the species’ appearance, nocturnal activity, refuge habitat, contact procedures and stop-work requirements.
• Confirm that a qualified fauna spotter catcher with the required authorisation is present for clearing or other activities that could directly affect habitat.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and spotter coordination

Works should be controlled around rock habitat and adjoining woodland, with the fauna spotter catcher able to stop machinery before a gecko or refuge feature is damaged. The species may shelter in small sandstone crevices and may be difficult to see during daytime clearing.

• Inspect exclusion fencing, retained habitat markers, rock-face buffers and access controls before work begins each day.
• Keep the fauna spotter catcher in direct communication with machinery operators and position the spotter where the next section of ground or habitat feature can be inspected before disturbance.
• Clear in short, staged sections and pause machinery whenever the spotter loses sight of the work face, detects a refuge feature, or identifies a change in rock stability or habitat condition.
• Prevent machinery, personnel, spoil, sediment, dust and wash water from entering retained caves, crevices, boulder fields or rock faces.
• Suspend works during conditions that create an elevated risk of wildfire affecting retained habitat, and follow the approved fire and emergency plan.

During habitat disturbance: Rock and habitat feature handling

• Treat sandstone outcrops, boulders, caves, crevices and rock piles as potential gecko refuges and do not move, roll, split or crush them without an approved method and fauna inspection.
• Inspect adjoining woodland, ground cover and structures before removing vegetation or materials, because these areas may support foraging or dispersal.
• Do not burn cleared vegetation or conduct hot works near retained rocky habitat unless the approved plan specifically manages fire risk and the relevant authority has approved the activity.
• If a rock or structure must be moved, stop and have the authorised fauna handler inspect it before disturbance and supervise the process.

During habitat disturbance: If a gecko is found

• Stop work in the immediate area and keep machinery, vehicles, people and pets away from the animal.
• Do not handle the gecko unless the person is authorised under the relevant permit and fauna management plan.
• Allow the authorised handler to assess whether the animal can remain safely in place or should be moved to nearby retained habitat with suitable sandstone refuge and connected woodland.
• Use a clean, secure container only when temporary containment is authorised and necessary, and minimise handling, heat exposure, noise and holding time.
• Record the exact location, habitat feature, condition, photographs, handler, action taken and release location.
• Take an injured gecko to an appropriately experienced wildlife veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer as soon as practicable, under the project’s approved wildlife response procedure.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

• Stop work if a Kate’s leaf-tailed gecko is found within the disturbance area or if a potential occupied refuge cannot be safely inspected.
• Stop work if clearing, vibration, rock breaking, fire or machinery access threatens a retained outcrop, boulder field, cave, crevice or connected habitat area outside the approved footprint.
• Notify the project environmental officer and approval holder immediately when a gecko is found, injured, killed, relocated, or detected outside the approved impact area.
• Maintain daily records of cleared area, personnel, machinery, weather, fire conditions, habitat features inspected, fauna observations, incidents, relocations and corrective actions.
• Report any death, injury, unauthorised handling, unapproved habitat damage or fire event to the relevant regulator within the timeframe required by the approval or permit.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance inspection

Post-work checks should confirm that retained rock habitat remains intact and that the project has not removed movement or foraging habitat. Monitoring should be scaled to the impact and the approval conditions, with extra attention after fire or weed invasion.

• Inspect the completed work area and all retained edges for damaged rock faces, collapsed crevices, displaced boulders, weed invasion, exposed soil and loss of ground cover.
• Complete a final nocturnal search of retained rocky habitat where the works affected known or potential habitat, and record the same effort and conditions as the pre-clearance survey.
• Check structures within approximately 300 m of rocky habitat if they were altered, demolished or newly installed during the project.
• Remove temporary materials, spoil and fencing that obstruct retained habitat or movement corridors, unless they form part of an approved fauna control.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and compliance

Reported post-fire observation: Surveys after the 2019 to 2020 fires suggested population losses of up to 50% at some sites, while another study reported persistence and breeding in the firegrounds.

• Monitor retained outcrops, boulder fields and adjoining woodland using the approved survey design and compare detections, habitat condition and weed cover with pre-work records.
• Increase monitoring after high intensity fire, because the entire known distribution may be affected by one fire and post-fire surveys recorded substantial reductions at some sites.
• Inspect for lantana and other weeds that shade rock faces, alter thermal conditions or cover outcrops, and control them under an approved weed management method.
• Maintain exclusion fencing, fire controls, erosion controls and access restrictions for as long as required by the fauna management plan or approval.

After habitat disturbance: Reporting and offsets

• Provide the regulator and approval holder with survey effort, detection records, handling and relocation records, injuries or deaths, habitat impacts, rehabilitation results and monitoring data.
• Submit confirmed occurrence records to the relevant state wildlife database, including records from construction, clearing and post-work monitoring.
• Implement any approved offset, biodiversity stewardship or conservation measure required under the Commonwealth or state approval.
• Review the project controls if monitoring detects geckos in the impact area, declining habitat quality, new weed cover, predator activity or loss of connectivity.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should restore rocky refuge, foraging and dispersal functions rather than only replacing vegetation. Retained sandstone features and connected woodland are the main assets to protect and restore.

Reported habitat plants: Corymbia intermedia, Angophora subvelutina, Eucalyptus pilularis, Allocasuarina species and Syncarpia glomulifera.

Potential habitat feature: Ficus rubiginosa is reported as a consistent feature of habitat, but its role has not been established.

• Retain and protect existing sandstone escarpments, outcrops, boulder fields, caves and crevices during rehabilitation and do not substitute planted vegetation for lost rock refuge.
• Reinstate locally sourced rock and stable boulder features only where this is approved by a qualified ecologist and can be done without damaging existing habitat.
• Restore ground cover and woodland structure around outcrops to support movement, foraging and buffering of breeding habitat.
• Use locally appropriate plant communities that include Pink Bloodwood, Broad-leaved Apple and Blackbutt on slopes, and Allocasuarina and Turpentine where those communities occur on adjoining flats.
• Do not plant dense vegetation over occupied rock faces, because weed or vegetation cover can shade the rocks and change their thermal conditions.

Rehabilitation actions: Fire, weeds and predators

• Prepare a site-specific fire management plan that avoids high frequency and high severity fire across retained outcrops and adjoining woodland.
• Coordinate fuel reduction or ecological burning with the relevant authority and species specialist, and do not burn retained habitat during conditions that could produce high intensity fire.
• Control lantana and other weeds before they cover or shade rock faces, while protecting crevices, ground cover and non-target native vegetation.
• Manage feral cats and European foxes in accordance with approved wildlife and pest management plans, particularly after fire when predators may hunt in fire scars.
• Prevent access by unauthorised collectors and report suspected poaching to the relevant authority.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring success

• Set success measures for intact rock refuges, stable boulder features, retained ground cover, native plant establishment, weed cover, predator activity and connectivity between rocky sites.
• Use repeat nocturnal searches of rehabilitated and reference outcrops, recording effort, weather, detections and habitat condition consistently over time.
• Investigate any continued absence from apparently suitable rehabilitated habitat, because the species was not detected at some sites where lantana had entirely covered otherwise suitable outcrops.
• Continue monitoring for the period required by the approval and adapt weed, predator, fire and access controls when monitoring shows that habitat quality is declining.

Sources

• Kate’s leaf-tailed gecko Saltuarius kateae, Endangered species listing, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/kates-leaf-tailed-gecko-saltuarius-kateae-final-determination.pdf
• [PDF] Conservation Assessment - Saltuarius kateae Mt Marsh Leaf Tailed ..., NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/data-deficient-conservation-assessment-saltuarius-kateae.pdf
• The impacts of the 2019 to 20 wildfires on Australia's lizards and snakes, researchoutput.csu.edu.au: https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/publications/the-impacts-of-the-201920-wildfires-on-australias-lizards-and-sna/
• consultation-document-saltuarius-wyberba.docx, Australian Government DCCEEW: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/consultation-document-saltuarius-wyberba.docx