Nevin's Slider (Lerista nevinae)

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Endangered.

Breeding season

Nevin’s Slider is an oviparous, fossorial skink from coastal dunes in the Pilbara. A species specific breeding calendar has not been recorded, so plan surveys and clearing controls for all months, with local timing checked at each site.

Breeding mode: Oviparous, laying eggs.

Clutch size: Not recorded.

Incubation period: Not recorded.

Fledging or weaning: Not applicable. Young hatch from eggs, but the timing of hatching and dependence is not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Nest or egg laying site: Not recorded. The species uses loose coastal sand and is fossorial or semi-fossorial.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded.

Detection and breeding activity may vary between years and between coastal dune sites from Point Samson to Dixon Island, particularly with local weather and surface conditions.

• Breeding and egg laying: The breeding months are not recorded, so treat every month as a possible breeding period during planning.
• Surface activity and foraging: Nevin’s Slider is likely to be most detectable at night when it emerges from loose sand to feed on small invertebrates.
• Shelter in loose coastal sand: Individuals may remain below the surface beneath coastal dune vegetation, loose sand, stones, logs or other cover throughout the year.
• Potential eggs and dependent young: The timing of egg presence, hatching and dependence is not recorded, so avoid assuming that any month is free of young.
• Highest clearing risk: Treat clearing as a year round risk because the species is Endangered and its breeding period, egg sites and refuges are poorly known; retain coastal dune habitat where possible and use targeted surveys by an experienced reptile ecologist before works.

Identification: Appearance and size

Nevin’s Slider is a very small, fossorial or semi-fossorial skink. It is usually associated with loose coastal sand and may be missed during ordinary surface searches.

The snout to vent length is 34 to 41 mm. Total length is 42 to 46 mm.

The head is heavily pigmented blackish brown. The back is almost white, with a prominent continuous black paravertebral stripe. The upper lateral stripe is solid, the flanks and belly are clean white, and the tail is yellowish.

Body form: Small, slender, fossorial or semi-fossorial skink

Key pattern: Continuous black paravertebral stripe and pale back

• The upper surfaces of the limbs have dark brown spots and streaks.
• The species has 18 midbody scale rows. This feature is best checked by an experienced herpetologist using a suitable identification key.

Identification: Similar species

Nevin’s Slider was previously recorded as Lerista muelleri before the species group was revised. It is the only species in that group with both a continuous black paravertebral stripe and 18 midbody scale rows.

Lerista clara is a potential competitor and may occur in similar sandy environments. Confirm identification from a good photograph or voucher details where the record may affect a clearing decision.

• Do not rely on colour alone, especially where animals are dusty, wet, partly buried or handled briefly.
• Record the exact location, habitat, photographs and identification features for every suspected animal.

Identification: Calls and field signs

A distinctive call or echolocation system is not known for this species. It is not expected to be detected reliably by acoustic methods.

Species specific droppings, nests, whitewash, stains and odour have not been documented. Surface signs may be absent because the animal spends much of its time in sand.

• Look for small skinks moving through loose sand, particularly at night or after disturbance.
• Treat an animal that rapidly dives into loose sandy substrate as a possible Nevin’s Slider and stop work in its immediate area until it is identified.

Distribution: Western Australian range

Nevin’s Slider is endemic to Australia and is known only from a short section of the Pilbara coast in Western Australia. The mapped range is narrow, and the species has been assessed as severely fragmented in the 2016 assessment.

The known range extends along an estimated 18 km of coastal dune between Pope’s Nose Creek, near Point Samson, and the southwest corner of Dixon Island.

Records include Jockeys Hill at Cleaverville, Dixon Island, Anketell Point, the west coast of Cape Lambert, dunes between Cape Lambert and Point Samson, Point Samson and an inland dune 3.5 km west of Point Samson.

State: Western Australia only

Estimated extent of occurrence: 19 to 39 km², depending on the method used

Suitable habitat: Approximately 489.9 ha

Locations and subpopulations: Four threat based locations and nine subpopulations were identified in the 2016 assessment

• The species has not been found in surveys at Cleaverville Beach dunes, east of Karratha, Back Beach west of Cape Lambert, east of Cape Lambert, Cossack, or in heavy soils and rocky habitat beside dunes.
• No records outside Australia are known.

Distribution: Site assessment guidance

Check project boundaries against the known coastal dune range rather than relying only on broad regional mapping. Small gaps between records do not demonstrate that intervening suitable dunes are unoccupied.

Before clearing, map pale sandy dunes, dune vegetation and proposed access routes. Retain the location and habitat details for any suspected record in the project database.

• Use a qualified fauna ecologist for targeted survey and identification.
• Escalate any record to the project environmental manager and follow the approval and permit conditions for an Endangered species.
• Do not assume that a developed or degraded dune is unsuitable. The species has been recorded in habitat described as degraded.

Habitat: Vegetation and landform

Nevin’s Slider occurs in pale coastal sands and coastal dunes immediately beside the Pilbara coast. On a work site, focus on loose sandy substrates rather than heavy soils or rocky ground.

Look for foredunes and other coastal dune features with Acacia species, low shrubs and spinifex. Recorded vegetation includes Acacia coriacea over Triodia epactia and Cenchrus species.

Suitable habitat may include dunes that have been disturbed or partly degraded. Some known habitat occurs within Crown Reserves for recreation, harbour or industry, as well as on freehold land, pastoral leases, UCL and live exploration tenements.

• Pale, loose sand
• Coastal dunes close to the sea
• Acacia and low shrub cover over spinifex
• Dune swales and inland dune features where loose sand remains

Habitat: Habitat condition and site checks

Known habitat has been recorded as degraded at Jockeys Hill, the west coast of Cape Lambert, between Cape Lambert and Point Samson, Point Samson and the inland dune west of Point Samson. Habitat condition at Dixon Island and Anketell Point was unknown but considered likely to be degraded or likely to become degraded.

There is no known occurrence on conservation estate or covenanted land. Land tenure therefore does not provide a reliable indication that the species is absent or protected.

• Walk the full proposed clearing footprint, including temporary laydown areas, tracks, pads, drains and stockpile sites.
• Mark dune toes, blowouts, loose sand patches and connected strips of native dune vegetation before machinery enters the area.
• Avoid unnecessary vehicle movement across intact dunes.

Foraging habitat: Likely feeding areas

Feeding has not been studied directly in Nevin’s Slider. As with other Lerista, it is likely to forage mainly at night for small invertebrates and larvae in loose soil or sand.

Search for loose sand beneath or beside stones, logs, termite mounds and fallen woody debris. Other Lerista commonly forage in these places and emerge at night to feed on the surface.

Potential feeding habitat is likely to include sandy dune surfaces beneath Acacia, low shrubs and spinifex, particularly where the sand remains loose and shaded by cover.

Likely prey: Ants, termites, other small insects and larvae

Likely activity: Mostly nocturnal, based on the habits of most Lerista

• Loose sand under fallen timber and other ground cover
• Edges of spinifex clumps and low shrubs
• The surface of dunes during night activity
• Areas with natural leaf litter and small invertebrate habitat

Foraging habitat: Survey and work practices

Night searching may improve the chance of seeing animals on the surface, while daytime inspection should concentrate on loose sand beneath suitable cover. Survey methods should be selected by an experienced herpetologist because the species is small and fossorial.

Do not turn, remove or replace cover objects unnecessarily during construction preparation. If cover must be moved, do so carefully and return it to its original position after inspection.

• Use a targeted survey design suited to the season, weather and substrate conditions.
• Keep cleared areas as small as practicable and retain fallen woody debris where it does not create a safety risk.
• Stop and investigate any small skink that dives into sand when disturbed.

Breeding habitat: Likely breeding areas

Nevin’s Slider is oviparous, but its clutch size, breeding season and specific nesting sites are not known. Protecting connected sandy dune habitat is the safest approach where breeding areas cannot be identified directly.

Potential breeding habitat is likely to be within loose, stable coastal sand under native dune vegetation. Avoid disturbing sand beneath shrubs, spinifex, logs and other cover during the breeding period because eggs or sheltering females may be concealed.

Do not infer that a dune is not used for breeding because no nest is visible. Small fossorial skinks can lay eggs below the surface, where nests are difficult to detect.

Reproduction: Oviparous

Clutch size: Unknown

Breeding season: Unknown

• Retain undisturbed sandy substrate and native dune cover.
• Keep temporary works, vehicle routes and spoil placement off suitable dunes where practicable.
• Prevent sand burial, compaction and removal within retained habitat.

Breeding habitat: Construction controls

Before clearing, have the fauna spotter catcher and ecologist identify areas of suitable sandy habitat and any constraints shown in the approval. Use clearly marked exclusion areas where habitat can be retained.

If an animal is found during clearing, stop machinery in the immediate area, protect the animal from vehicles and follow the project’s threatened fauna handling and reporting procedure.

• Use staged clearing towards retained habitat only where approved and appropriate for the site.
• Do not bury, crush or stockpile sandy habitat within retained areas.
• Record all observations, including animals found under cover or during night surveys.

Sheltering habitat: Features to retain

The species shelters in loose sandy substrates and is likely to use cover such as stones, logs and termite mounds. Its refuge habitat during fire, drought or flood is not known, so retain a range of connected dune features rather than isolated patches.

Other Lerista commonly dive into loose sand when disturbed and shelter beneath stones, logs and termite mounds. These features should be treated as potential sheltering habitat where they occur on suitable coastal dunes.

Retain natural sand depth, surface cover, spinifex clumps, low shrubs and fallen woody debris where safe to do so.

• Loose, uncompact sand
• Fallen timber and stones
• Termite mounds and their sandy surrounds
• Spinifex and low shrub cover
• Connected dune vegetation

Sheltering habitat: Fire, access and disturbance

The species’ refuge requirements during fire, drought and flood are unknown. Avoid creating isolated habitat patches and minimise changes to dune shape, drainage and surface cover.

Reduced fallen woody debris may increase competition with Lerista clara. Do not remove woody debris solely to tidy a work area unless required for safety or approved site management.

• Use designated access routes and keep vehicles out of retained dunes.
• Prevent unnecessary sand compaction from plant, storage and repeated foot traffic.
• Inspect retained habitat after storms, flooding, fire or major earthworks and report damage.

Threats: Clearing and habitat loss

Nevin’s Slider is Endangered at Commonwealth and Western Australian level. Development controls should therefore be precautionary, with avoidance and habitat retention preferred over relying on rescue after clearing.

The known range is small, and much of the recorded habitat is degraded or likely to become degraded. Clearing for ports, industry, roads, tracks, accommodation, recreation or services can remove sandy habitat and divide the remaining subpopulations.

Some habitat occurs on Crown Reserves whose stated purposes do not offer protection to the species. Confirm the environmental status of each work area before disturbance.

• Avoid clearing suitable coastal dunes where practicable.
• Keep the approved disturbance footprint to the minimum required.
• Map and fence retained habitat before mobilisation.
• Do not treat degraded dunes as automatically cleared of conservation value.

Threats: Ground disturbance and compaction

Excavation, grading, vehicle movements, trenching and stockpiling can compact or remove the loose sand used for sheltering and foraging. Altered drainage can also change dune condition.

Keep spoil, fill, concrete washout, fuels and other materials out of retained sandy habitat.

• Use defined haul routes and turning areas.
• Install visible exclusion fencing around retained dunes.
• Rehabilitate temporary disturbance with locally appropriate native dune vegetation and natural sand profiles.
• Inspect controls after rainfall and high winds.

Threats: Fire, weeds and loss of ground cover

Changes to spinifex, shrub cover and fallen woody debris may reduce shelter and feeding opportunities. Fire can remove cover and alter the sandy surface, while weeds and unmanaged access can further degrade dunes.

The species’ response to fire, drought and flood is poorly known. Plan works to avoid unnecessary loss of cover and retain areas that can provide refuge.

• Use approved fire and vegetation management plans.
• Avoid broad vegetation slashing or removal of fallen timber in suitable habitat.
• Control weed spread through vehicles, machinery and fill.
• Monitor retained habitat for erosion, weed invasion and declining ground cover.

Threats: Survey, compliance and response

A small, fossorial Endangered skink may be missed by general fauna surveys. Use targeted assessment where a project overlaps the known Pilbara coastal dune range, and ensure survey effort reflects the species’ likely nocturnal and sand dwelling habits.

All suspected records should be checked by a suitably experienced ecologist and reported through the project’s approval and threatened species procedures.

Listing: Endangered under the Commonwealth and Western Australian listings

Management approach: Avoid habitat loss first, then minimise disturbance and monitor retained habitat

• Obtain the required approvals before clearing or handling animals.
• Brief machinery operators, spotter catchers and supervisors on the species’ appearance and habitat.
• Stop work around a suspected animal until it has been safely managed under the approved procedure.
• Keep accurate records of survey effort, search conditions, sightings, photographs, handling and release locations.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Nevin’s slider is a small, fossorial or semi-fossorial skink of pale coastal sands. It is poorly known, so surveys should combine night searches with careful inspection of loose sand, cover and suitable dune vegetation.

Map all pale coastal dunes and connected sandy habitat between Pope’s Nose Creek, near Point Samson, and the southwest corner of Dixon Island.

Check proposed works against known records at Jockeys Hill, Dixon Island, Anketell Point, Cape Lambert, Point Samson and the inland dune west of Point Samson.

Review land tenure, exploration and development approvals, Crown Reserve purposes, access tracks, fire history, weed cover and previous survey results. Treat apparently suitable habitat as potential habitat even where no record exists.

• Use recent aerial imagery and site inspections to identify Acacia and low shrub vegetation over spinifex on coastal dunes.
• Include sandy habitat near the work area in the assessment, because the species has a short range and may occur in small separated subpopulations.

Survey methodology: 2. Field detection

Survey at night when small Lerista are most likely to emerge and feed. Prioritise warm, calm conditions and periods when the sand surface is not being disturbed by wind, rain or site activity.

Search loose sand beneath and beside fallen timber, stones and other surface cover. Inspect the bases of spinifex and shrubs, dune swales and sheltered sand pockets.

Use slow visual searches with headlamps. Look for a small skink with a blackish-brown head, a continuous black paravertebral stripe, a solid upper lateral stripe, a pale back and a yellowish tail.

Where authorised, use carefully installed pitfall traps and drift fencing or other approved trapping methods to supplement active searches. Check traps frequently, provide suitable shelter, and release animals promptly at the point of capture or as directed by the permit.

• Do not remove large areas of sand or dismantle habitat without approval.
• Stop searching if animals are being exposed to heat, dehydration, predation or unsafe handling conditions.

Survey methodology: 3. Survey design and effort

Focus effort on the full footprint, access routes, laydown areas, temporary works and nearby sandy habitat that could be affected indirectly.

Use repeat surveys where the first survey is affected by poor weather, high wind, wet sand, dust, heavy machinery or inadequate access. A single negative survey should not be treated as proof of absence in suitable dune habitat.

Set survey effort and methods through a qualified ecologist and the relevant approval conditions. Increase effort where habitat is fragmented, degraded, proposed for clearing or close to a known record.

• Record survey dates, start and finish times, weather, wind, recent rain, moon conditions if relevant, observers, search method and effort.
• Map search tracks, traps, habitat types, disturbance, cover objects inspected and all animal detections.
• Record photographs, coordinates, identification features, sex or life stage where known, behaviour, condition and the action taken.

Survey methodology: 4. Identification and confirmation

Have a suitably experienced herpetologist confirm records where identification is uncertain. Nevin’s slider is small and can be confused with other Lerista, including species in the Lerista muelleri group.

Use photographs and non-invasive measurements only where this can be done safely and under the relevant authority. Do not retain specimens unless specifically authorised.

• Compare the animal with the diagnostic combination of a continuous black paravertebral stripe and 18 midbody scale rows.
• Submit unusual records, photographs and voucher information through the approval and fauna records pathways.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and permits

Nevin’s slider is listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth and Western Australian frameworks. Avoiding coastal dune habitat is the preferred control, followed by carefully planned, authorised works where impacts cannot be avoided.

Confirm whether the proposal may affect a listed species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Seek an EPBC referral or other Commonwealth advice where required.

Obtain the relevant Western Australian approvals, licences and fauna authorisations before survey, trapping, handling or clearing. Check conditions for threatened fauna, clearing, relocation and rehabilitation.

A Queensland species management program is relevant only where a Queensland protected animal and its breeding place are affected. Nevin’s slider is recorded from Western Australia, so do not apply Queensland procedures as a substitute for Western Australian or Commonwealth approvals.

• Keep approval documents, permit conditions, maps and contact details at the work front.
• Confirm that the fauna spotter catcher is authorised for threatened reptiles and for the proposed capture, handling and relocation methods.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoidance and work planning

Redesign the footprint to retain coastal dunes, pale sandy substrates, Acacia and low shrub cover, spinifex, fallen woody debris and connected habitat.

Keep vehicle movements, stockpiles, lighting, drainage changes, dust generation and temporary compounds out of retained habitat.

Do not assume degraded dunes have low value. Known occurrences have been recorded in habitat described as degraded or likely to become degraded.

• Mark no-go areas with durable fencing before machinery arrives.
• Use existing disturbed access routes where possible.
• Prevent windblown sand, sediment, hydrocarbons, rubbish and construction materials from entering retained dunes.
• Use a conservative exclusion area around records and suitable habitat. Set the distance with the project ecologist and approval authority because a species-specific buffer is not established.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Pre-clearance survey and breeding considerations

Complete a targeted pre-clearance survey immediately before disturbance, using methods suited to nocturnal and fossorial skinks. Search surface cover and loose sand across the footprint and any areas to be entered by machinery.

Nevin’s slider is oviparous, but its breeding season, clutch sites and breeding habitat are not established. Schedule clearing outside any breeding period identified by survey, permit conditions or the project ecologist.

There is no established migration period for this short-range endemic species. Treat all suitable dune habitat as resident habitat and do not rely on seasonal movement away from the work area.

• Reinspect areas where sand has shifted, vegetation has been removed or new cover has accumulated.
• Stop and reassess if eggs, hatchlings, a gravid female, repeated sightings or a suspected breeding place are found.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Induction and exclusion controls

Induct all workers, contractors and visitors before entering the site. Show photographs, habitat maps, exclusion fencing, stop-work contacts and the animal handling procedure.

Make the fauna spotter catcher responsible for pre-clearance checks and for directing fauna controls during clearing.

Keep dogs, unauthorised traps, chemicals and unnecessary night lighting out of retained habitat.

• Tell workers not to handle, chase, collect or move a skink.
• Require immediate reporting of any sighting, injured animal, eggs or suspected breeding place.
• Brief operators on the spotter catcher’s authority to stop work.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Clearing should be slow, staged and supervised. The fauna spotter catcher must be able to stop machinery whenever an animal, egg or suspected breeding place is found.

Clear from the least suitable or already disturbed edge towards retained habitat, using small stages that can be checked before the next stage begins.

Remove vegetation and surface cover carefully before bulk soil movement. Avoid broad scraping of loose sand where practical.

Keep machinery, spoil and vehicles outside marked exclusion areas. Do not bury, crush or scatter logs and other cover into retained habitat.

• Pause between clearing stages to allow visual inspection of exposed sand and cover.
• Use low speed and direct communication between the operator, supervisor and fauna spotter catcher.
• Stop work immediately if visibility is reduced by dust, poor lighting or unsafe conditions.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Capture and handling

Only authorised and experienced personnel may capture or handle Nevin’s slider. Use methods specified in the permit and avoid gripping the tail or applying pressure to the body.

Place a captured animal in a secure, ventilated container with clean, dry substrate and shelter. Keep it shaded and at a suitable temperature until release or transfer.

Release the animal into nearby suitable habitat within the approved area, or relocate it only under an approved relocation plan. Do not move animals across roads, into unsuitable habitat or outside the known range.

• Limit handling time.
• Keep containers labelled with the capture location, time and animal details.
• Do not place animals together unless the approved method specifically allows it.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Animal, eggs or breeding place found

Stop all disturbance in the immediate area and instruct workers to remain clear. The fauna spotter catcher should establish a temporary exclusion area and assess the find.

If eggs, hatchlings, a suspected clutch site or other active breeding place is found, do not disturb, cover, excavate or relocate it without approval from the relevant authority and advice from the project ecologist.

Resume work only after the find has been managed in accordance with the approval, permit and fauna management plan.

• Record the location, photographs, habitat, condition, activity and people notified.
• Escalate unexpected concentrations of animals, repeated sightings or signs of a colony to the project manager and approving authority.
• Do not use a generic reptile relocation procedure for a suspected breeding place.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Injured or dead animal pathway

For an injured animal, stop nearby work and place it in a secure, ventilated container only if the authorised handler can do so safely. Contact a qualified wildlife veterinarian, wildlife carer or the nominated fauna authority.

Keep the animal shaded and quiet. Do not offer food, water or medication unless directed by a qualified wildlife professional.

Record dead animals and preserve photographs and location details. Do not collect a specimen unless authorised.

• Notify the site supervisor and project ecologist immediately.
• Document the likely cause, such as machinery, vehicle strike, exposure or crushing.
• Follow any permit requirement for reporting threatened fauna injury or mortality.

During habitat disturbance: 5. Records and stop-work reporting

Maintain a daily fauna log for all sightings, captures, injuries, mortalities, breeding places, stop-work events and releases.

The fauna spotter catcher should provide a same-day verbal report for significant finds and a written record with maps and photographs.

• Record date, time, coordinates, observer, activity, habitat, weather, animal condition, identification confidence and action taken.
• Track each animal from capture to release or veterinary transfer.
• Report breaches of exclusion fencing, unauthorised handling and clearing incidents to the project manager and relevant authority.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance checks help find animals missed during staged works and identify problems with retained habitat. Monitoring should be matched to the risk, with more follow-up where habitat is cleared or a threatened animal has been handled.

Inspect the completed footprint, edges, stockpile areas, access routes and retained dune margins after each clearing stage and again when the work area is safe to enter.

Search exposed loose sand, remaining surface cover, vegetation bases and construction materials that could shelter a skink.

Remove temporary hazards such as open pipes, deep excavations, uncovered pits and unsecured materials.

• Keep exclusion fencing in place until the risk of re-entry and construction injury has passed.
• Record searches and results even when no animals are found.
• Treat any new sighting as a fauna incident and apply the stop-work procedure where necessary.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained and rehabilitated sandy habitat where required by approval conditions or where works have reduced habitat quality. Use repeat nocturnal searches and the same recording methods used before disturbance so results can be compared.

Report survey results, captures, relocations, injuries, mortalities, breeding places, compliance issues and rehabilitation progress to the project manager and relevant authorities.

• Map all post-work records and update the project fauna register.
• Include effort, weather, access limitations and any changes to habitat condition in the report.
• Escalate a decline in detections, new fragmentation, weed spread, erosion or lighting impacts for management review.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Relocated animals

Confirm the release location, habitat condition and timing for every relocated animal. Check that the location is within the approved release area and is not exposed to immediate construction, traffic, predators or flooding.

Where monitoring is required, use non-invasive searches and avoid repeated disturbance of release habitat.

Do not claim relocation success from release alone. Document survival indicators, subsequent detections and any recaptures where the approved program allows monitoring.

• Review relocation methods if animals are repeatedly found injured, exposed or outside suitable habitat.
• Keep relocation records linked to the original capture record.
• Report animals that cannot be accounted for under the approved relocation procedure.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review every injury, mortality, unauthorised disturbance, failed exclusion control and unexpected breeding-place find before the next work stage.

Adjust staging, supervision, lighting, access, fencing and survey effort in response to the review.

• Hold a short toolbox review with the operator, fauna spotter catcher and site supervisor.
• Record the corrective action, responsible person and completion date.
• Update the fauna management plan when the approved process or risk profile changes.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore sandy dune habitat

Rehabilitation should rebuild the loose, sandy and vegetated structure used by this fossorial skink. Because breeding requirements are poorly known, focus first on retaining natural habitat and monitor any experimental habitat features before expanding them.

Replace suitable clean sand and restore natural dune contours where works have altered the surface. Avoid compacting sand or sealing it with roads, hardstand or excessive mulch.

Re-establish local Acacia, low shrubs and spinifex appropriate to the site. Use locally suitable provenance and protect new plantings from vehicles and grazing.

Retain or replace fallen woody debris and other natural surface cover where it will not create a fire, safety or weed hazard.

• Prevent sediment, concrete washout, hydrocarbons and construction waste from entering sandy habitat.
• Use erosion controls that do not block movement through the dune or cover habitat with unsuitable material.
• Keep rehabilitated areas free from vehicle access until vegetation and sand surfaces are stable.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Breeding and shelter features

Nevin’s slider breeding sites and clutch requirements are not established. Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes, artificial roosts or generic nest structures for this species.

If monitoring identifies a need for replacement breeding or shelter habitat, develop shallow sandy refuges, retained cover or other site-specific features with a threatened reptile ecologist and the approval authority.

Treat any artificial breeding feature as a monitored trial. Remove or modify it if it increases predation, trapping, heat exposure, weed growth or competition.

• Prioritise natural loose sand, vegetation, woody debris and suitable undisturbed dune structure over manufactured structures.
• Do not place artificial features in drainage lines, fire access routes or areas exposed to regular machinery movement.
• Record construction details, locations, maintenance and any animal use.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Weeds, fire, water and lighting

Control weeds that replace Acacia, low shrubs, spinifex or open sandy habitat. Use methods that minimise soil disturbance and avoid harming animals in loose sand.

Design drainage so it does not scour dunes, waterlog sandy habitat or concentrate runoff through retained or rehabilitated areas.

Use subdued, shielded lighting directed away from dunes. Avoid unnecessary night lighting during and after construction because the species is likely nocturnal.

• Do not create permanent ponds or artificial water points unless required for another approved purpose and assessed for impacts.
• Keep fire management compatible with retained cover and refuge habitat. Identify refuge areas before planned burning or major vegetation works.
• Inspect for erosion, altered drainage, weed invasion and lighting spill after rain and following major site activities.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Long-term monitoring

Monitor rehabilitation for vegetation establishment, sand stability, surface cover, weeds, erosion, predator activity and use by Nevin’s slider. Use the same nocturnal search approach across reference and rehabilitated areas where practical.

Set the duration and frequency of monitoring through the approval conditions and project ecologist. Increase monitoring if the species is detected, habitat is heavily disturbed or rehabilitation is not progressing.

• Record weather, search effort, habitat condition, detections, mortality and management actions at each visit.
• Replace failed plantings and repair erosion or exclusion fencing promptly.
• Use monitoring results to refine rehabilitation methods and to guide future clearing near coastal dune habitat.

Sources

• THREATENED SPECIES SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, Australian Government DCCEEW: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/85296-conservation-advice-15022018.pdf
• Occurrence records for the distribution map, Atlas of Living Australia: https://biocache.ala.org.au/