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Long-nosed Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus)

The long-nosed potoroo is a small, nocturnal rat-kangaroo that occurs in fragmented populations from southern Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria, with additional populations in South Australia, Tasmania and Bass Strait islands. It is listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act, and clearing of dense understorey, habitat fragmentation and introduced predators are key risks on development sites.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Vulnerable.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Vulnerable.

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Endangered.

Breeding season

The species can breed throughout the year, with breeding activity usually highest from late winter to early summer. Seasonal activity varies across the range, and winter daylight foraging can increase the chance of daytime observations.

Month values are ordered January to December. A value of 0 indicates that the activity is not expected to be seasonally concentrated in that month, rather than that the species is absent.

  • Breeding: Breeding can occur throughout the year, with peaks in late winter to early summer and a further late-summer peak reported in the survey guidance.
  • Young: One young is raised per pregnancy, and females can produce three to four young per year because of embryonic diapause. Dependent young may therefore be present in any month, with higher risk during the main breeding peak.
  • Local foraging: The species is mainly nocturnal throughout the year. Daylight foraging may occur more often during winter.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing can harm the species in any month because breeding is continuous and dense understorey is needed for shelter. Risk is highest from late winter to early summer, when breeding and dependent young are most likely.

Identification

Long-nosed potoroos are compact, ground-dwelling marsupials with a long, tapering snout and strong hind legs. They are usually detected by night, but habitat searches and distinctive foraging signs can indicate use of a site before direct detection.

Adults have greyish-brown to reddish-brown fur above and paler fur below. The snout is long and tapering, with a naked skin patch extending from the nose, and the hind foot is shorter than the snout.

The tail is sparsely furred and may have a white tip, particularly in southern populations. The animal moves on all fours at slow speed and can use a rapid bipedal hop when disturbed.

Head and body: About 340 to 400 mm, with an average of about 360 mm.

Tail: About 198 to 262 mm, usually less than 250 mm in the NSW profile.

Weight: About 660 to 1,640 g in the husbandry manual; NSW records give 740 to 1,640 g.

Identification: Similar species

The long-footed potoroo is slightly larger and has a longer tail and longer hind foot. It also has a leathery hallucal pad on the sole behind the inner toe, which is absent in the long-nosed potoroo.

Bandicoots have three clawed digits on the forefeet, whereas potoroos have five. Potoroo diggings are generally larger and have a relatively flatter base than bandicoot diggings, but diggings of different potoroo species cannot be separated confidently in the field.

Long-footed potoroo comparison: Long-nosed potoroos are smaller, have a shorter tail and lack the leathery sole pad.

Bandicoot comparison: Potoroo forefeet show five clawed digits; bandicoot forefeet show three.

  • Do not identify the species from diggings alone where long-footed potoroos, bandicoots or other similar mammals occur.
  • Use a combination of photographs, camera traps, hair sampling, tracks, direct observations and, where necessary, specialist identification.

Identification: Field signs and detection

Small holes or conical foraging pits are commonly found where potoroos search for underground fungi, roots, tubers and invertebrates. These signs may resemble bandicoot diggings, so record their size, shape, location, associated tracks and any nearby fungi or food remains.

Tracks, nests, scats and diggings should be recorded during daytime habitat searches. The supplied sources do not describe a diagnostic call or a reliable eyeshine feature, so calls and eyeshine should not be used alone to identify the species.

Foraging sign: Small ground holes or pits produced while excavating food.

Hair identification: Hair sampling can identify the south-east mainland long-nosed potoroo when a suitable sample is obtained, although subspecies identification is generally not possible.

  • Search dense understorey, grass-trees, sedges, ferns, heath and low tea-tree or melaleuca cover for tracks, nests and diggings.
  • Map each group of diggings and target the location with baited camera traps, spotlighting, hair sampling or other approved direct detection methods.
  • Treat tracks and diggings as potoroo signs rather than definitive species records where long-footed potoroos or bandicoots may be present.

Distribution: States and regions

The species has a fragmented distribution along south-eastern Australia. The EPBC listed south-east mainland subspecies occurs from southern Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria, with an isolated population near the South Australian border.

The long-nosed potoroo occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, including Bass Strait islands. Mainland populations extend from south-eastern Queensland along the east coast through eastern New South Wales and Victoria, with isolated populations in western Victoria.

In New South Wales it is generally east of the Great Dividing Range. The NSW profile records known or predicted occurrence in the New England Tablelands, NSW North Coast, South Eastern Queensland, Sydney Basin and adjacent coastal areas.

Indicative NSW climate limit: Generally in areas east of the Great Dividing Range with annual rainfall exceeding 760 mm.

Elevation: Recorded from sea level to about 800 m commonly, and up to about 1,600 m in north-eastern New South Wales.

  • New South Wales subregions with known records include Barrington, Cataract, Chaelundi, Coffs Coast and Escarpment, Comboyne Plateau, Dalmorton, Karuah Manning, Macleay Hastings, Washpool and Yuraygir.
  • Other NSW and adjoining subregions listed in the profile include the New England Tablelands, Pittwater, Wyong, Tweed-Moreton, Burringbar-Conondale Ranges, Clarence Lowlands, Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands and Woodenbong.
  • Western Victorian populations include several isolated areas, including a remnant population near the South Australian border.

Distribution: Population pattern

The mainland distribution is fragmented and has contracted through habitat loss, land use change and predation. The supplied sources do not provide a reliable national population estimate or a quantified national trend.

Populations in Tasmania are reported to be at higher, more natural levels than many mainland populations, in part because foxes have historically been absent from Tasmania. This should not be taken to mean that every Tasmanian site is suitable habitat.

National population size: Not stated in the supplied sources.

Known strongholds: No nationally ranked strongholds are identified in the supplied sources; the species is described as fragmented, with several isolated Victorian populations and broad occurrence in Tasmania.

Habitat: Vegetation and structure

Suitable habitat combines dense ground cover for daytime shelter with nearby open patches used for nocturnal foraging. Habitat is often associated with sandy loam soils and moist coastal or foothill environments.

The species occurs in coastal heath, coastal woodland, dry sclerophyll forest and wet sclerophyll forest. Dense understorey with occasional open areas is an essential habitat feature.

Suitable cover may include grass-trees, sedges, ferns, heath, tea-trees, melaleucas and other low shrubs. Retain connected patches of this vegetation, including narrow understorey corridors between larger patches.

Main habitat types: Coastal heath, coastal woodland, dry sclerophyll forest and wet sclerophyll forest.

Key structural feature: Dense understorey with occasional open foraging areas.

Common soil feature: Sandy loam.

  • Assess dense ground and shrub layers separately from canopy condition, because a site can retain mature trees but lose the understorey needed by potoroos.
  • Give particular attention to intact vegetation on sandy loam soils and to moist coastal or forest patches with abundant ground cover.
  • Map adjoining vegetation that may provide cover outside the proposed clearing footprint, as individuals have home ranges of about 2 to 5 hectares.

Habitat: Climate and elevation

In NSW, the species is generally associated with higher-rainfall areas east of the Great Dividing Range. It occurs from near sea level to about 800 m commonly, with records to about 1,600 m in north-eastern NSW.

The supplied sources do not define a separate temperature threshold for wild habitat.

Foraging habitat: Food and feeding method

Long-nosed potoroos forage mainly at night by moving through dense cover and nearby open patches. They use their forefeet and long claws to excavate food from the soil.

Underground-fruiting fungi, including truffles, are a major component of the diet. Roots, tubers, insects, insect larvae, seeds, plant material and other soft-bodied soil animals are also eaten.

The species locates and excavates food below ground. Foraging pits may therefore indicate use of a site even when the animal is not seen.

Main food: Hypogeous fungi, including underground truffles.

Other food: Roots, tubers, insects, insect larvae, seeds and other soft-bodied soil animals.

Foraging period: Mainly from dusk through the night; daylight foraging can occur during winter.

  • Search for diggings in areas with dense understorey, sandy loam soils and nearby open patches.
  • Record whether diggings occur near fruiting fungi, exposed roots, tubers or other potential food resources.
  • Do not assume that a low number of diggings means that habitat is unused, because detection and trapping success can be low.

Foraging habitat: Foraging area

Individuals are mainly solitary and non-territorial. Reported home ranges are about 2 to 5 hectares, so a clearing assessment should consider connected habitat beyond the immediate work area.

The supplied sources do not provide a separate foraging radius or a quantified distance between shelter and feeding areas.

  • Survey the full patch of suitable understorey where possible, rather than restricting searches to the proposed disturbance footprint.
  • Maintain links between dense shelter vegetation and open areas containing suitable soil and food resources.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Long-nosed potoroos can breed throughout the year, with seasonal peaks. Dense ground cover is needed near feeding areas so females and dependent young can avoid predators and disturbance.

Females raise one young per pregnancy and can produce three to four young per year because embryonic diapause allows another reproductive bout while conditions permit.

The supplied sources do not give a gestation length. Breeding habitat is not described as a separate vegetation community, but dense understorey used for daytime shelter is likely to be important around breeding sites.

Breeding season: Can occur throughout the year, with peaks in late winter to early summer and a further late-summer peak reported in the survey guideline.

Young per pregnancy: One.

Young per year: About three to four may be produced because of embryonic diapause.

Gestation: Not stated in the supplied sources.

Age at maturity: Females are sexually mature at about one year.

Lifespan: Four to five years is more common in the wild; individuals may live for more than seven years in the wild. A maximum captive age of 14.5 years is reported.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Retain dense, structurally complex ground and shrub cover around known or potential feeding areas. Such cover provides daytime refuge for adults and dependent young.

The supplied sources do not provide dimensions for wild nests or identify a specific plant species required for breeding.

  • Avoid clearing dense understorey during the late winter to early summer breeding peak where practicable.
  • Where clearing is unavoidable, inspect and survey adjoining habitat before works and retain connected cover outside the disturbance area.

Sheltering habitat: Refuge features

Long-nosed potoroos shelter during the day in dense vegetation and are rarely far from cover. Shelter habitat is therefore closely linked to understorey retention and predator avoidance.

Dense understorey in coastal heath, woodland and sclerophyll forest provides the main documented daytime refuge. Cover may be formed by grass-trees, sedges, ferns, heath and low shrubs such as tea-trees and melaleucas.

The survey guidelines identify nests, dense understorey, grass hummocks, hollow logs and other ground features as potential habitat resources for listed ground mammals. The supplied species profile does not confirm which of these features are used by long-nosed potoroos or provide nest dimensions.

Primary daytime refuge: Dense vegetation and understorey.

Documented refuge dimensions: Not stated for wild animals in the supplied sources.

  • Retain continuous ground cover and avoid leaving isolated shelter clumps surrounded by cleared ground.
  • Search under dense vegetation for nests, tracks and diggings before vegetation removal.
  • Map shelter resources and keep machinery, stockpiles and access tracks outside retained understorey wherever possible.

Sheltering habitat: Detection and handling implications

Potoroos may remain concealed during daytime searches and can be difficult to trap. An absence of direct observations does not demonstrate that suitable cover is unused.

The survey guidelines recommend combining habitat and sign searches with camera traps, spotlighting, hair sampling, soil plots and, where appropriate, cage trapping. Handling and capture stress should be minimised.

  • Use non-trap methods such as camera traps and hair funnels where they can answer the survey question.
  • If capture is required, use experienced fauna personnel and follow approved animal welfare and translocation procedures.
  • Inspect retained vegetation and any proposed clearing area for nests and signs before work starts.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main risks are loss and fragmentation of dense understorey, predation and changes to fire or forest structure. Construction projects can affect potoroos even when the animal is not recorded, because detection is difficult and individuals use home ranges of several hectares.

Clearing for residential and agricultural development removes habitat and breaks remaining populations into smaller patches. Timber harvesting and other disturbances can reduce ground cover and food resources.

Road construction, access tracks, service corridors and construction compounds can create the same clearing and fragmentation pressures. The supplied sources do not quantify road mortality for this species.

Home range affected by fragmentation: Individuals generally use about 2 to 5 hectares.

  • Avoid clearing dense understorey, particularly where sandy loam soils, open foraging patches and potoroo diggings occur together.
  • Keep retained habitat connected to nearby forest, heath and woodland patches.
  • Prevent machinery movement, spoil placement and temporary compounds from spreading into retained understorey.
  • Treat a patch as potentially important even where no animal is captured, because detection rates can be low.

Threats: Predators

Red foxes, feral cats and domestic cats are identified predators. Wild dogs and dingoes are also reported as threats, and predatory birds may take potoroos.

Predation pressure can increase when clearing removes dense cover or when roads and construction activity create access through habitat.

  • Control foxes and feral cats in accordance with approved site and regional programs.
  • Prevent domestic cats and dogs from entering retained habitat.
  • Avoid leaving food waste or other attractants at compounds and work fronts.

Threats: Fire, vegetation disturbance and other pressures

Inappropriate fire regimes can reduce the density and plant diversity of the understorey. Repeated or poorly timed burning can remove daytime refuge and alter the fungi, roots and other soil resources used by potoroos.

The supplied sources do not identify a species-specific disease threat or a quantified hydrology threshold. Hydrological changes should still be assessed where they could dry coastal heath, forest understorey or sandy loam feeding areas.

  • Use fire regimes that maintain dense understorey and apply mosaic hazard reduction burns rather than repeatedly burning the same area.
  • Protect retained habitat from grazing and trampling by domestic stock.
  • Assess drainage, dewatering, altered runoff and sediment movement where works occur near moist forest, heath or sandy loam habitat.
  • Record any injured, dead or unusually exposed animals and refer wildlife health concerns to the relevant authority or veterinarian.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat and resource searches

Survey for long-nosed potoroos before clearing or construction by combining habitat assessment, indirect signs and direct detection. The species is difficult to detect, so a single negative survey does not demonstrate absence, particularly where dense understorey remains suitable.

Search during daylight for dense understorey, including grass-trees, sedges, ferns, heath, tea-trees and melaleucas, together with occasional open foraging areas.

Record sandy loam soils, dense ground cover, hollow logs, nest sites, runways and areas with underground fungi or other likely food resources.

Stratify the survey across habitat types and plant communities, and repeat the survey effort where the subject area is larger than 5 hectares.

Typical habitat: Coastal heath, coastal woodland, and dry or wet sclerophyll forest with dense understorey and occasional open areas.

Common soil feature: Sandy loam is a common feature of occupied habitat.

Survey design reference area: The guideline's minimum effort framework is based on a subject area up to 5 hectares; larger areas should be replicated within habitat types or plant communities.

  • Map each suitable habitat patch, the condition of its understorey, adjoining retained vegetation and potential movement links.
  • Mark locations of potential nests, logs, diggings, tracks and other signs for follow-up detection surveys.

Survey methodology: 2. Signs, diggings and soil plots

Search for tracks, nests, scats and small foraging holes during the day, and inspect areas near dense cover, logs and runways.

Treat potoroo diggings as supporting evidence only because they can be difficult to distinguish from bandicoot diggings in the field.

Use soil plot surveys as an indirect detection method where the site has suitable ground cover and soil.

Track distinction: Potoroo foretracks have five clawed digits, compared with three clawed digits on bandicoot foretracks, but field identification can still be difficult.

Foraging sign: Potoroo diggings are generally larger and have a relatively flatter base than bandicoot diggings, although species of the same genus cannot be separated reliably from diggings alone.

  • Record the size, shape, location and density of all diggings, and photograph representative examples with a scale.
  • Look for associated fungal material, tracks or scats, but do not identify the species from diggings alone where bandicoots or other potoroos occur.
  • Follow positive or ambiguous signs with camera trapping, spotlighting, hair sampling or trapping.

Survey methodology: 3. Camera trapping and hair sampling

Deploy baited camera traps near runways, dense cover, diggings and other likely activity points, using universal bait with truffle, pistachio or walnut oil.

Use hair funnels or other hair sampling devices as a low handling method where animals are likely to approach bait stations.

Leave hair sampling devices in place for several consecutive days, then have collected hair analysed by a suitably qualified specialist.

Universal bait: Peanut butter and rolled oats, with added truffle, pistachio or walnut oil.

Hair device operation: Bait is enclosed in an inaccessible chamber and hair is collected on an adhesive insert as the animal attempts to reach it.

  • Use cameras with a clear view of the approach path and record the station location, bait, deployment dates and operating condition.
  • Treat a hair result as supporting evidence and ensure the sample is adequate for identification, because subspecies and some related species may not be separable from hair.

Survey methodology: 4. Spotlighting and trapping

Conduct spotlight surveys on foot through suitable habitat, concentrating on dense understorey, runways, shelter sites and areas with signs.

Use cage trapping only where required, under an approved design and with trained personnel, because capture and handling can stress this species.

Use direct detection methods with the indirect methods rather than relying on any single technique.

Activity pattern: Mainly nocturnal, with possible daylight foraging during winter.

Home range: Generally 2 to 5 hectares.

Recommended approach: An integrated programme using habitat searches, signs, soil plots, cameras and one or more direct detection methods.

  • Survey at night because long-nosed potoroos are mainly nocturnal, while recognising that animals may forage during daylight in winter.
  • Use a mixture of spotlighting, camera traps, hair sampling and, where justified, cage trapping because past trapping results have been variable between locations.
  • Minimise capture, restraint and handling, and obtain the required approvals before trapping or moving animals.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use the minimum effort specified in the current state or territory survey guideline and the project approval, because the supplied national guideline extract does not provide species-specific numbers of nights, hours, trap nights or transect lengths.
  • Survey all suitable habitat within the disturbance footprint and relevant adjoining retained habitat, and replicate effort across each habitat type where the area exceeds 5 hectares.
  • Record dates, start and finish times, weather, moon or light conditions where relevant, personnel, methods, station or transect locations, effort, bait, equipment failures and all detections.
  • Retain photographs, camera files, hair samples, field forms and spatial data so that negative results can be audited.
  • Submit confirmed records and significant negative survey results to the relevant state or territory wildlife database, and provide records required by the project approval and the Australian Government where the EPBC Act applies.
  • Have a suitably qualified ecologist assess ambiguous tracks, diggings, hair and camera images before clearing proceeds.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

The long-nosed potoroo depends on dense understorey, ground cover and connected patches of suitable forest or heath. Plan the project around retaining these features and avoiding predation, fire and fragmentation impacts.

Key habitat feature: Dense understorey with occasional open areas for foraging.

Known threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation, foxes, feral cats, inappropriate fire, timber harvesting and disturbance that reduces food or ground cover.

  • Redesign the disturbance footprint to retain dense understorey, especially patches containing grass-trees, sedges, ferns, heath, tea-trees or melaleucas.
  • Retain sandy loam areas, hollow logs, fallen timber, nest sites, runways and ground cover within retained habitat.
  • Keep retained habitat connected to adjoining vegetation and avoid creating isolated pockets between roads, compounds, cleared areas and fences.
  • Do not clear or burn all understorey within a local patch at the same time.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project planning

State and territory status in the supplied material: Vulnerable in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, and Endangered in South Australia.

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

  • Check the current EPBC Act listing and determine whether the proposed action is likely to have a significant impact on the listed population or its habitat; refer the action if required.
  • Obtain the relevant state or territory threatened species, wildlife handling and relocation approvals before survey, capture, clearing or fauna relocation.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies suitable habitat, survey results, exclusion zones, clearing limits, fauna handling procedures, stop-work triggers, reporting and rehabilitation.
  • Stage the works so that retained habitat and movement links remain available until the affected area has been checked and cleared by the fauna spotter catcher.
  • Schedule clearing outside periods of high heat and avoid unnecessary night works in occupied habitat, while recognising that the species is mainly nocturnal and may use cover during the day.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

  • Complete a targeted pre-clearance survey of all suitable habitat in the footprint using the approved combination of habitat searches, signs, cameras, hair sampling and direct detection.
  • Mark the approved clearing boundary, retained habitat, access routes, no-go areas, logs, nest sites, diggings, runways and other features that must not be disturbed.
  • Install exclusion fencing where it can direct animals away from the work area without blocking movement between retained habitat patches.
  • Brief machinery operators and supervisors on the species' appearance, nocturnal activity, likely shelter in dense cover and the stop-work procedure.
  • Confirm the location of an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian before works begin.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Clear only within the approved footprint and use a fauna spotter catcher who can control the sequence of work. Long-nosed potoroos shelter in dense vegetation and can be injured or stressed when chased or captured.

  • Inspect the work area each day before machinery enters, including dense vegetation, logs, diggings, nests, runways and any exclusion fencing.
  • Have the fauna spotter catcher walk ahead of machinery and maintain clear communication with the operator by radio or agreed hand signals.
  • Clear vegetation progressively towards retained habitat so that animals have an opportunity to move into cover, where this is safe and authorised.
  • Use low-impact methods around retained habitat and stop machinery whenever the spotter catcher cannot see the immediate work area.
  • Keep spoil, materials, vehicles, lighting and temporary fencing out of retained understorey and movement links.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat feature handling

  • Do not disturb hollow logs, dense ground cover, nests, rocks, burrows or other shelter features unless they are within the approved disturbance footprint and the fauna spotter catcher has checked them.
  • Search logs, rock piles, dense tussocks and vegetation at ground level before removal, using methods that do not crush or trap an animal.
  • Retain suitable logs, rocks and ground cover within nearby retained habitat where removal is unavoidable and the approval permits relocation.
  • Treat diggings and runways as evidence of use and inspect the surrounding habitat before clearing proceeds.
  • Protect wet or damp ground and drainage features that support fungi, invertebrates and other food resources, even though the supplied documents do not identify a separate wetland habitat requirement for this species.

During habitat disturbance: If a potoroo is found

Handling risk: The supplied husbandry material reports that capture and restraint can cause capture myopathy, so handling must be minimised and performed by trained, authorised personnel.

Preferred shelter: Dense vegetation and structurally complex ground cover.

  • Stop work immediately within the animal's safety zone and keep machinery, vehicles, people and dogs away.
  • Allow the animal to move into nearby retained dense vegetation if it is uninjured and the fauna spotter catcher considers movement safe.
  • Do not chase, corner, handle or relocate the animal unless the authorised fauna spotter catcher or another person approved under the relevant permit directs it.
  • If capture is necessary, use the least stressful approved method, minimise handling time and prevent overheating, escape and injury.
  • Relocate an uninjured animal only to suitable nearby retained habitat identified in the fauna management plan and only under the relevant approval.
  • Take an injured, distressed or heat-affected animal to the nominated veterinarian or wildlife carer as soon as practicable, and record the incident.
  • Do not release an animal into cleared, isolated or unsuitable habitat.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work if a long-nosed potoroo is detected, if an unidentified potoroo-like animal is found, or if the spotter catcher identifies an occupied nest, shelter feature or movement route that is not covered by the approved method statement.
  • Stop work if exclusion fencing fails, a retained habitat boundary is breached, visibility is inadequate, or machinery cannot be controlled safely around fauna.
  • Notify the site environmental officer and relevant approval holder before restarting after a fauna incident or unplanned habitat impact.
  • Record the date, location, habitat, animal condition, photographs, action taken, personnel involved, authorisations, destination of any relocation and the time work resumed.
  • Report injury, death, capture, relocation and unapproved clearing to the relevant regulator within the timeframe set by the permit or approval.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance work must confirm that no fauna remains in the disturbed area, maintain access to retained habitat and verify that the project has not reduced the condition of nearby understorey or movement links.

  • Inspect the completed footprint, edges, stockpiles, trenches, pipes, pits and temporary fencing for trapped or sheltering animals before the area is handed back to construction.
  • Complete a final walkover of retained habitat beside the cleared area for injured animals, fresh disturbance, blocked movement routes and damaged logs or ground cover.
  • Remove temporary exclusion fencing, netting and other hazards when they are no longer needed, unless the approved fauna management plan requires them to remain.
  • Repair breaches in retained habitat fencing and prevent domestic dogs, cats and other predators from entering retained habitat.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor retained habitat and rehabilitation areas using the approved combination of cameras, spotlighting, hair sampling and searches for diggings, tracks and nests.
  • Compare post-work detections, habitat condition and connectivity with the pre-clearance baseline.
  • Report all fauna incidents, survey results, photographs, spatial data, rehabilitation actions and unresolved risks to the project environmental officer and relevant regulator.
  • Submit confirmed records to the relevant state or territory wildlife database and meet all EPBC Act reporting conditions.

After habitat disturbance: Ongoing controls and offsets

  • Maintain predator control, weed control, understorey protection and fire management for the period required by the approval or fauna management plan.
  • Keep access roads, drainage, lighting and maintenance activities from progressively narrowing or isolating retained habitat.
  • Apply an approved offset or conservation measure where residual impacts remain after avoidance and mitigation, and report its implementation and performance.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore structure and food resources

Rehabilitation should recreate dense, connected ground cover and restore the food and shelter conditions used by long-nosed potoroos. Design it with local ecological advice and measure whether the habitat is becoming suitable, rather than relying only on plant survival.

Diet: Primarily underground fungi, with roots, tubers, insects and larvae and other soil food resources also eaten.

Habitat structure: Dense understorey for shelter, with occasional open areas for foraging.

  • Replant or encourage locally appropriate native species that rebuild dense understorey, including the grass-tree, sedge, fern, heath, tea-tree and melaleuca structures identified as suitable habitat where they occur locally.
  • Restore a mix of dense shelter and occasional open foraging areas rather than creating uniform, closely mown vegetation.
  • Reinstate suitable fallen logs, woody debris, rocks and other ground features in retained or rehabilitated habitat, after checking that no fauna is inside them.
  • Avoid disturbing sandy loam soils and retain soil organic material where practicable, because underground fungi, roots, tubers and soil invertebrates form part of the diet.

Rehabilitation actions: Predator, weed and fire management

  • Control foxes and feral cats in accordance with the approved management plan and coordinate control across adjoining retained habitat where possible.
  • Prevent domestic cats and dogs from entering retained or rehabilitated habitat.
  • Control weeds without removing the dense native ground cover needed for shelter and movement.
  • Use fire regimes that maintain dense, floristically diverse understorey, and where hazard reduction is required apply a mosaic approach so that the same area is not burned repeatedly.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Suggested biological outcome: Documented use or confirmed persistence of long-nosed potoroos in connected suitable habitat, supported by improving understorey condition and reduced predator activity.

  • Inspect rehabilitation after establishment and after major fire, flood, storm or maintenance works, and repair erosion, fencing and gaps in vegetation cover.
  • Measure native understorey cover, structural diversity, survival and recruitment of plantings, retained logs and ground cover, weed abundance, predator activity and connectivity to adjoining habitat.
  • Use cameras, spotlighting, hair sampling and searches for tracks, nests and diggings to test whether potoroos use the rehabilitated area.
  • Set success measures and monitoring dates in the rehabilitation plan, and continue monitoring for the period required by the approval.

Sources