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Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale pirata)

The Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale is a small, nocturnal carnivorous marsupial of the Top End of the Northern Territory. It may use eucalypt forests and hollow-bearing trees within or near clearing and construction sites. The species is listed as Vulnerable under Commonwealth law and Endangered in the Northern Territory, so potential habitat and tree hollows should be assessed before works begin.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Northern Territory, Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976: Endangered.

Breeding season

The Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale is poorly known, and its breeding timing is inferred partly from the related Brush-tailed Phascogale. Breeding is suggested around June and July in the Top End, with activity and detections more likely from October to April, especially during the wet season.

Breeding mode: Marsupial. Males are presumed to mate during a single short annual breeding period, while some females may survive to breed in a second year.

Breeding period: Around June and July, inferred from the related Brush-tailed Phascogale.

Litter size: Not recorded.

Gestation: Approximately 30 days, inferred from the related Brush-tailed Phascogale.

Dependent young: Young are thought to remain in the nest for approximately 48 days before the mother leaves them while foraging, based on the related Brush-tailed Phascogale.

Breeding and shelter sites: Tree hollows are likely to be used for nesting, shelter and raising young.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Timing may vary between years and regions, and the species' breeding calendar remains uncertain across the Top End.

  • Mating and breeding: Breeding is suggested around June and July, but the timing has not been confirmed for this species.
  • Dependent young in tree hollows: Young may be dependent in tree hollows after mating, with timing inferred from the related Brush-tailed Phascogale.
  • Wet season activity and detection: Detections have occurred from October to April and were more likely in the wet season than in the dry season.
  • Wet season movement and dispersal: Movement may increase during the wet season, including movement by nesting females and dispersal of young after weaning.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest around the suggested breeding and nesting period, although clearing woodland and hollow-bearing trees can cause harm in any month.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale is a small dasyurid with a pointed snout, large eyes and a conspicuous bottle-brush tail. It is poorly studied, so field identification should be confirmed by an experienced ecologist where possible.

Adults weigh about 150 to 200 g and have a body length of approximately 15 to 27 cm.

The fur is dark grey above and paler below. The snout is notably pointed, the eyes are large, and the tail has long black hairs over its distal two-thirds.

  • Tail hairs may be stiffened when the animal is alarmed, producing a bottle-brush appearance.
  • The hindfeet are pure white above.
  • The base of the tail has cream-tipped black hairs.

Identification: Similar species

The main similar species is the Brush-tailed Phascogale, Phascogale tapoatafa. The Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale has more elongated ears, white upper hindfeet and cream-tipped black hairs at the base of the tail.

  • It is intermediate in size between the Northern Quoll and smaller antechinuses and dunnarts.
  • Check the tail, hindfeet, ear shape and overall size together rather than relying on one feature.

Identification: Calls and field signs

The species is nocturnal and may be encountered during night inspections, spotlighting or trapping. Species-specific calls, echolocation, droppings, nests, stains, odours and other field signs are not well established.

  • Do not identify the species from a call alone.
  • Photograph animals, tracks and potential shelter trees where safe to do so.
  • Record the tree species, hollow characteristics, height and surrounding vegetation for any suspected record.

Distribution: Australian range

The Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale is endemic to northern Australia and is associated with the coastal, mesic savannas of the Top End. Records are scarce and the known range appears to have contracted, so an absence of recent records should not be treated as proof of absence.

Documented records are concentrated in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Localities include Melville Island, Cobourg Peninsula, Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park.

  • Older records came from the Gove and Katherine areas.
  • West Island in the Sir Edward Pellew group is considered to have lost its population.
  • The species has not been confirmed from Bathurst Island in the recent records described here.
  • The conservation mapping supplied for project use includes New South Wales and the Northern Territory. The documented occurrence information is concentrated in the Northern Territory.

Distribution: Distribution pattern

The estimated extent of occurrence is 57,000 square kilometres, while the estimated area of occupancy is less than 9,000 square kilometres. Populations within the occupied area appear to be discontinuous.

  • Only a small number of records have been collected since 1980.
  • Fewer than five locations had records in the decade before the targeted sampling study.
  • Melville Island is a major source of recent capture records.
  • The species had not been recorded from the Cobourg Peninsula since 2007 despite substantial survey effort.

Distribution: Site assessment

Treat suitable eucalypt forest as potential habitat even where the species has not been recorded locally. Check regional databases, protected matter mapping and recent survey records before clearing or construction.

  • Flag intact or lightly modified eucalypt woodland and open forest for ecological assessment.
  • Give additional attention to areas with large, rough-barked trees and numerous hollows.
  • Consider nearby connected forest, island habitat and conservation reserves when assessing likely habitat and impacts.

Habitat: Vegetation types

Most records come from tall open forests and woodlands of the Top End, particularly vegetation dominated by Darwin Woollybutt and Darwin Stringybark. Habitat quality is likely to be higher where mature trees, hollow-bearing trees and a relatively continuous woodland structure remain.

Look for lowland eucalypt forest and woodland in coastal and mesic savanna landscapes. Common habitat trees include Darwin Woollybutt, Eucalyptus miniata, and Darwin Stringybark, Eucalyptus tetrodonta.

  • Open forest with a grassy understory.
  • Eucalypt savanna woodland on the Top End mainland and islands.
  • Areas with higher rainfall and productive woodland may support larger trees and more hollows.

Habitat: Habitat features on works sites

The species may be affected by the loss of eucalypt forest, especially forest containing hollow-bearing trees. Assess both the direct clearing footprint and adjacent vegetation that may be affected by access tracks, machinery, fire or altered drainage.

  • Mature trees with large trunks and rough, fibrous bark.
  • Standing trees with hollows, including trees that appear partly dead or damaged.
  • Connected woodland linking the site with larger forest patches.
  • Remnant forest retained within horticultural, pastoral or plantation landscapes.

Habitat: Habitat condition

Habitat can be degraded by clearing, pastoral land use, invasive species and altered fire regimes. Retained trees may still be useful habitat where the surrounding ground layer has been modified.

  • Map all mature and hollow-bearing trees before vegetation removal.
  • Avoid unnecessary removal of rough-barked eucalypts.
  • Retain links between woodland patches where the project layout allows.
  • Record fire history, weed cover, grazing pressure and nearby clearing during the site assessment.

Foraging habitat: Food and feeding locations

The Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale forages both in trees and on the ground, but is likely to obtain most food in woodland. It probably spends much of its foraging time on or beneath loose bark on trunks and major branches.

The diet consists mainly of large invertebrates, with occasional small vertebrates. Invertebrates may occur on or beneath loose fibrous bark, in tree crowns and in ground litter.

  • Rough, stringy bark on mature Darwin Stringybark trees.
  • Loose bark on trunks and major branches.
  • Leaf litter and ground debris beneath retained woodland.
  • Tree canopies and large limbs connected to the trunk.

Foraging habitat: Features to retain

Retain mature trees, rough bark, fallen timber and ground litter where these can be safely maintained. Avoid excessive removal of understorey and litter around retained trees during construction.

  • Large eucalypts with continuous fibrous bark.
  • Standing dead trees where they can be retained safely.
  • Patches of woodland rather than isolated individual trees only.
  • Ground habitat beneath and between mature trees.

Foraging habitat: Field assessment

The species is difficult to detect and its ecology is not well studied. Survey planning should consider both arboreal and ground activity, with particular attention to woodland containing large rough-barked trees.

  • Inspect potential foraging trees during the day for hollows, loose bark and other habitat features.
  • Use appropriately designed nocturnal surveys where a targeted assessment is required.
  • Record habitat condition across the whole site, not only at the proposed clearing edge.

Breeding habitat: Likely breeding places

Breeding ecology is poorly known. The species is likely to depend on tree hollows for nesting, and breeding information is inferred partly from the closely related Brush-tailed Phascogale.

Nesting females may use tree hollows for shelter and raising young. Retain hollow-bearing trees and assess them before felling, lopping or major construction disturbance.

  • Large living eucalypts with cavities in trunks or major limbs.
  • Rough-barked trees with hollows at different heights and sizes.
  • Dead standing trees with suitable cavities, where retention is safe.
  • Groups of hollow-bearing trees within connected woodland.

Breeding habitat: Breeding timing

Breeding is suggested to occur around June or July, based mainly on the related Brush-tailed Phascogale. A lactating female was captured on Melville Island in September 2019.

  • The species may have a short annual mating period.
  • Females may survive to breed in a second year.
  • Young may remain in a nest hollow while the mother forages.

Breeding habitat: Pre-clearing precautions

Avoid treating a hollow-bearing tree as unoccupied simply because no animal is visible during a daytime inspection. If a tree must be removed, obtain project-specific advice from the project ecologist and relevant authorities before works.

  • Mark and map all trees with hollows before clearing.
  • Keep machinery, spoil and materials away from retained hollow-bearing trees.
  • Use a fauna spotter catcher for any approved tree removal where an animal could be present.
  • Stop work and reassess if an animal, nest or occupied hollow is found.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter features

The species shelters during the day in tree hollows and is likely to be arboreal and solitary. Hollow-bearing trees should therefore be treated as potential daytime shelter and nesting habitat.

Look for mature eucalypts with hollows, loose bark and rough trunks. Trees with hollows may be used even when they are not obviously large or visually prominent from the ground.

  • Trunk hollows and cavities in major limbs.
  • Rough, stringy bark that provides climbing and shelter surfaces.
  • Large trees with multiple hollows.
  • Retained woodland around hollow-bearing trees.

Sheltering habitat: Construction risks

Direct loss of hollow-bearing trees is the clearest site-level risk. Vibration, lighting, noise, fire and removal of surrounding woodland may also reduce the usefulness of retained shelter trees.

  • Avoid felling or damaging hollow-bearing trees where practicable.
  • Protect tree roots, trunks and limbs within the construction exclusion area.
  • Limit night lighting directed at retained woodland.
  • Prevent construction debris, smoke and accidental fire from entering retained habitat.

Sheltering habitat: If an animal is found

Do not handle the animal unless necessary for its safety and the handler is authorised and competent. Keep people, dogs and machinery away, and contact the project fauna spotter catcher or wildlife professional.

  • Record the location, time, tree and observed behaviour.
  • Photograph the animal from a safe distance where this will not cause further disturbance.
  • Do not block a hollow or seal a cavity until occupancy has been assessed.
  • Follow the approved fauna management procedure and any permit conditions.

Threats: Clearing and habitat fragmentation

Threats are not fully understood, but clearing of eucalypt woodland, hollow loss, altered fire regimes and invasive species are relevant to development and land management. Cane Toads, feral Cats, disease and pastoral land use may also have contributed to declines.

Clearing eucalypt forest removes food resources, shelter trees and potential breeding hollows. Fragmentation can leave small, discontinuous habitat patches and reduce links between populations.

  • Avoid clearing intact woodland where practicable.
  • Retain mature and hollow-bearing trees.
  • Keep retained habitat connected to larger forest patches.
  • Include indirect impacts from access roads, easements, stock areas and plantation or horticultural development.

Threats: Fire and land management

Changed fire regimes and pastoral land use may reduce woodland condition and affect hollow-bearing trees, ground litter and invertebrate prey. Fire planning should protect retained habitat and mature trees.

  • Record recent fire history and planned burns during the site assessment.
  • Avoid damaging tree hollows during firebreak construction or fuel reduction.
  • Retain patches of unburnt woodland where consistent with the approved fire plan.
  • Manage weeds and grazing where they reduce woodland regeneration or ground habitat.

Threats: Introduced predators and Cane Toads

The species may be susceptible to predation by feral Cats. Cane Toad impacts are uncertain, but dasyurids that attack or consume Cane Toads can suffer fatal toxicosis.

  • Keep construction compounds free of food waste that could attract feral predators.
  • Do not create artificial shelter or food sources for Cats around retained habitat.
  • Record Cane Toad and feral Cat activity during fauna surveys and site inspections.
  • Use approved pest management methods where control is part of the project.

Threats: Response on development sites

Because the species is Vulnerable nationally and Endangered in the Northern Territory, potential habitat should be considered early in project design. Escalate records, occupied hollows and unavoidable habitat loss to the project ecologist and relevant regulatory contacts.

  • Check Commonwealth and Northern Territory approval requirements before clearing.
  • Undertake targeted survey where mapping or habitat assessment indicates the species may occur.
  • Use a fauna spotter catcher for approved removal of suitable shelter trees.
  • Document all records, retained habitat, tree hollows and mitigation measures.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale is a rare, nocturnal and poorly known dasyurid. Survey effort should focus on tall open eucalypt forest and woodland, especially areas with large rough-barked trees and hollows.

Map all Darwin Woollybutt, Darwin Stringybark and other mature eucalypt woodland within and near the work area.

Identify hollow-bearing trees, connected woodland, riparian vegetation, fire-affected areas, access tracks and proposed clearing limits.

Check records and protected matter information for the site and surrounding landscape. Treat suitable habitat as potentially occupied where records are absent.

  • Review recent fauna records from the project area and nearby reserves, including Kakadu, Litchfield, Garig Gunak Barlu and the Tiwi Islands where relevant.
  • Assess clearing, fire history, pastoral use, feral cat activity, Cane Toad presence and proposed lighting or road construction.
  • Confirm the current Commonwealth and state or territory listing, approval pathway and survey requirements before fieldwork.

Survey methodology: 2. Targeted field survey

Survey at night because the species shelters in tree hollows during the day and forages in trees and on the ground at night.

Prioritise the wet season and build up season, from October to April. Detection was higher in the wet season than in the dry season in targeted work. Do not rely on a dry season survey alone.

Use repeated surveys where the species is a possibility. There is no established species-specific effort standard, so set effort according to habitat extent, project risk and advice from the relevant regulator.

  • Use live trapping under an approved animal ethics and wildlife permit, with traps placed on the ground and in trees where suitable.
  • Use tree-sited Elliott traps, nest boxes and remote cameras as complementary methods where they can be installed and checked safely.
  • Place cameras or traps near large rough-barked trees, hollow-bearing trees, likely climbing routes and productive woodland rather than in cleared areas alone.
  • Run surveys across more than one suitable night and repeat during the wet season when practicable. Record the number of sites, trap nights, camera nights and weather conditions.

Survey methodology: 3. Detection, identification and welfare

Record all observations, captures, photographs, hair or other evidence that could distinguish the species from the Brush-tailed Phascogale and other small dasyurids.

The Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale is about 150 to 200 g, with grey upperparts, a pale underside, a pointed snout, large eyes and a long tail with a dark brush. The hindfeet are pure white above and the tail base has cream-tipped black hairs.

Use experienced fauna personnel for identification. Do not handle an animal unless the person is authorised and trained.

  • Record date, time, exact location, habitat, tree species, hollow characteristics, weather, survey method and animal behaviour.
  • Record whether the animal was foraging, sheltering, carrying young, entering a hollow or using a nest box.
  • Release captured animals at the capture location as soon as checks are complete, unless a veterinarian, regulator or wildlife authority directs otherwise.
  • Stop and seek expert advice if identification is uncertain or if an animal appears injured, lactating or accompanied by young.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and permits

Avoidance is the preferred protection measure because the species has a restricted distribution, discontinuous populations and limited ecological information. Plan clearing around habitat retention, hollow-bearing trees and the risk of disturbing an active breeding place.

Confirm whether the action may have a significant impact on a Commonwealth listed vulnerable species. Make an EPBC referral where required, and comply with any approval conditions before clearing or construction.

Obtain the relevant Northern Territory or other state wildlife permits for survey, trapping, handling, relocation and disturbance of habitat.

For work in Queensland, check whether the activity affects protected wildlife or a breeding place. Obtain a species management program where required before tampering with a breeding place.

Do not assume that a state or territory approval replaces Commonwealth approval. Check each approval pathway for the actual project location.

  • Have the project ecologist record the listing, approval decision, permit numbers, conditions and contact details for the relevant regulator.
  • Include fauna management conditions in contracts, clearing plans, environmental management plans and induction material.
  • Use the most protective condition where approval instruments differ.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoidance and habitat retention

Retain tall open eucalypt forest and woodland, particularly Darwin Woollybutt and Darwin Stringybark forest with mature, rough-barked and hollow-bearing trees.

Redesign work areas, access routes, compounds and utility alignments to avoid occupied habitat and individual hollow-bearing trees where practicable.

Retain connected woodland and avoid isolating retained patches with roads, cleared strips, high lighting or frequent vehicle movement.

  • Mark no-go areas and retained trees on plans and on the ground before machinery arrives.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, materials, lighting and vehicle parking outside retained habitat.
  • Control clearing boundaries with fencing, bunting or other visible markers.
  • Do not remove a hollow-bearing tree merely because no animal was detected during one survey.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Pre-clearance survey and timing

Complete a pre-clearance inspection shortly before works, with emphasis on hollow-bearing trees, large rough-barked trees and woodland edges that will be disturbed.

Use nocturnal searches and targeted trapping or cameras where the risk assessment identifies suitable habitat. Inspect trees and hollows from the ground and use qualified arborists or climbers where a closer inspection is safe and permitted.

Breeding ecology is poorly known. Breeding is suggested around June or July from the related Brush-tailed Phascogale, while targeted detections have occurred from October to April. Avoid clearing suspected breeding habitat during the likely breeding period unless the regulator approves the method.

  • Search for animals, lactating females, young, nesting material, fresh scratches, scats and repeated use of hollows.
  • Treat a female entering a hollow, a hollow containing young or an occupied nest box as an active breeding place.
  • Schedule high-risk hollow tree work outside the likely breeding period where practicable, while recognising that individual breeding timing may vary.
  • Have the ecologist document the basis for the timing decision and any unavoidable residual risk.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Exclusion and crew induction

Set practical exclusion zones around retained habitat, occupied trees and any active breeding place. The distance must be determined by the ecologist and approval conditions because no species-specific buffer is established.

Induct all workers, plant operators, spotter catchers and supervisors before work starts.

  • Show workers photographs and distinguishing features of the species and its similar species.
  • Explain the stop-work trigger, reporting chain, no-go areas, night work restrictions and animal welfare requirements.
  • Place the spotter catcher and fauna ecologist contact details in vehicles and site offices.
  • Prohibit workers from opening hollows, moving nest boxes, chasing animals or attempting unauthorised capture.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Use a staged, low-speed clearing method that gives animals time to move into retained habitat. The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop work immediately when an animal, active breeding place or unexpected habitat risk is found.

Clear from the least disturbed edge towards retained habitat so animals can move away from machinery. Keep escape routes open and free of spoil, fencing and vehicles.

Use a two-stage approach for hollow-bearing trees and other high-risk trees. First remove surrounding understorey and allow a quiet observation period. Fell or remove the tree only after the spotter catcher has inspected it and confirmed that work can proceed.

Use low-impact machinery and slow movements around retained trees. Avoid night clearing because the species is nocturnal and may be foraging.

  • Complete a daily pre-start fauna check.
  • Work in small, controlled sections rather than opening the entire site at once.
  • Check felled timber, hollows, bark slabs, root balls and debris before moving or chipping them.
  • Stop work if visibility, weather, smoke, dust or noise prevents effective fauna detection.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop-work and active breeding places

The spotter catcher must stop work if a Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale is seen, captured, injured or suspected in a tree, hollow, nest box or other shelter.

Stop work and establish an exclusion area if an active breeding place is found. Do not fell, dismantle, seal, smoke, flood or relocate the structure without advice from the project ecologist and the relevant regulator.

  • Keep people and machinery away from the occupied hollow or nest.
  • Allow the animal to leave naturally where this will not increase risk.
  • If young are present, do not separate them from the female or move the structure unless an authorised wildlife professional directs the action.
  • Record the location, tree or structure, evidence of use, photographs, actions taken and approval advice.
  • Resume work only after the ecologist confirms that controls are in place and the permit or approval conditions allow it.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Handling and relocation

Only authorised and trained fauna personnel may capture, handle, contain or relocate an animal. Use the least stressful method available and keep handling time short.

Do not relocate an apparently healthy animal to an unassessed site. Relocation can separate animals from familiar shelter and food resources and requires an approved plan.

  • Use a secure, ventilated container appropriate for a small nocturnal marsupial.
  • Keep the container shaded, quiet and at a stable temperature. Do not expose the animal to direct sun or unnecessary handling.
  • Release a healthy animal at the approved nearby release location, preferably within suitable retained woodland, as soon as practicable.
  • Record the capture, condition, sex if known, reproductive status, release location, time in care and handler.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Injured or distressed animals

Treat an injured, cold, overheated, dehydrated or unusually lethargic animal as a wildlife incident. Do not give food, water or medication unless directed by a veterinarian or wildlife carer.

Contact the project ecologist and the approved wildlife carer or veterinarian immediately.

  • Place the animal in a secure, quiet container and minimise handling.
  • Check the pouch only if the handler is trained and the action is safe. Do not pull attached young from a teat.
  • Arrange veterinary assessment and transport under the relevant permit and animal welfare requirements.
  • Keep machinery stopped in the immediate area until the animal has been assessed and the ecologist clears the work.

During habitat disturbance: 5. Records and daily control

Maintain a fauna register for every search, sighting, capture, injury, breeding-place finding, stop-work event and release.

Use records to refine the next day’s clearing sequence and identify habitat that needs additional protection.

  • Record the date, time, location, habitat, tree or hollow details, weather, observer, action, outcome and photographs.
  • Record negative searches as well as detections, including the area searched and method used.
  • Report all incidents required by approval conditions to the site manager, project ecologist and regulator within the required timeframe.
  • Include a site map showing cleared areas, retained trees, exclusion zones and release locations.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Immediate post-clearance checks

Post-clearance checks confirm that no animal has been trapped, injured or left in an isolated shelter. They also provide evidence that controls worked and identify changes needed before the next work stage.

Inspect the completed clearing area, retained habitat edges, felled trees, timber stacks, machinery and temporary structures before the site is handed back to construction crews.

Check hollows, bark, debris and any tree material that was moved during clearing for trapped or injured fauna.

  • Complete checks during daylight for sheltering animals and at night where the ecologist considers that a nocturnal animal may remain on site.
  • Recheck exclusion fencing, retained trees, access routes and escape paths after each clearing stage.
  • Remove hazards such as open trenches, uncovered pipes and unsecured containers, or install fauna escape measures approved by the ecologist.
  • Document the date, personnel, area checked, findings and corrective actions.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Reporting and compliance

Prepare a completion report that links each fauna record and incident to the relevant approval condition and clearing stage.

Report threatened species detections, injuries, deaths, active breeding places and unauthorised clearing through the project and regulatory reporting pathways.

  • Include survey effort, methods, weather, habitat retained, habitat cleared, animal outcomes and photographs.
  • Provide coordinates for all detections, release sites, active breeding places and retained hollow-bearing trees where safe and appropriate.
  • Keep permit returns, veterinary records, chain of custody records and fauna registers with the project environmental records.
  • Notify the regulator promptly where an approval condition sets a shorter reporting period.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Monitoring relocated animals and retained habitat

Where an animal has been relocated under an approved plan, monitor the release site and retained habitat using methods suited to the project risk.

Where the species is detected, consider repeat cameras, live trapping or nest box checks during the wet season to assess continued use of the site.

  • Use the same locations and methods where possible so results can be compared over time.
  • Record whether animals are using retained trees, nest boxes or other shelter, and whether feral cats, Cane Toads, fire or weeds are affecting the site.
  • Do not disturb nest boxes or occupied hollows during monitoring unless the permit and animal welfare plan allow it.
  • Set the monitoring duration and frequency with the regulator or project ecologist because no standard species-specific program is established.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review every injury, death, escape, breeding-place disturbance and unexpected detection before the next clearing stage.

Use the review to change work timing, machinery access, exclusion zones, spotter catcher coverage and crew instructions.

  • Hold a short review with the site supervisor, spotter catcher, ecologist and relevant contractor.
  • Identify the direct cause, failed control, corrective action and person responsible.
  • Suspend the relevant activity where a control has failed or the species risk is higher than assessed.
  • Record lessons in the project environmental management plan and toolbox talks.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore woodland structure

Rehabilitation should restore mature eucalypt woodland, tree hollows and a productive ground layer over the long term. The species is poorly known, so habitat restoration should favour natural hollow development and connected woodland rather than relying only on artificial structures.

Re-establish locally appropriate eucalypt woodland using native species suited to the original site, with emphasis on Darwin Woollybutt, Darwin Stringybark and other recorded canopy species where appropriate.

Retain existing mature trees and natural regeneration wherever possible. New plantings will not replace the shelter value of large hollow-bearing trees in the short term.

Restore a continuous canopy and understorey structure that supports invertebrates and allows movement between retained patches.

  • Use local provenance seed or tubestock where suitable and approved.
  • Protect plantings from grazing, fire, vehicles, weeds and compaction.
  • Retain fallen timber and leaf litter where they do not create a safety or fire management conflict.
  • Manage fire to maintain woodland condition and mature hollow-bearing trees, using a fire plan prepared for the local landscape.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Artificial hollows and nest structures

Nest boxes or artificial hollow structures may provide supplementary shelter or nesting opportunities where natural hollows have been lost and the design is based on advice from a qualified ecologist.

Do not install structures as a substitute for retaining natural hollow-bearing trees.

  • Use nest boxes or artificial nest sites only after checking that the location, entrance, internal dimensions, materials and mounting method suit the species and local conditions.
  • Install structures in retained woodland near suitable foraging habitat, away from high traffic, excessive lighting and known feral cat access where practicable.
  • Inspect and maintain nest boxes under an approved monitoring plan. Do not open an occupied structure without authorisation.
  • Do not assume bat boxes are suitable for this species. Use bat boxes or other roost structures only for the fauna they are designed to support, unless a specialist has approved a modified design for the Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale.
  • Remove or repair unsafe, waterlogged, infested or damaged structures.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Food, weeds and water

Restore rough-barked trees, leaf litter and ground cover that support large invertebrates. The species is thought to forage mainly on invertebrates on or beneath loose fibrous bark.

Control weeds without broadscale disturbance to retained woodland or hollow-bearing trees.

  • Use weed control methods that minimise harm to native invertebrates and dasyurids.
  • Prevent invasive grasses and dense weed growth from changing the fire behaviour of restored habitat.
  • Avoid unnecessary artificial water points. If water is required for rehabilitation, design and maintain them to prevent drowning and avoid concentrating predators or Cane Toads.
  • Inspect restoration areas for feral cat activity, Cane Toads, erosion and grazing pressure, and act through the approved site management plan.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Light, noise and access

Limit artificial light at retained and rehabilitated woodland because the species is nocturnal. Keep construction and security lighting directed away from habitat.

Reduce vehicle movement, dust, noise and human access in retained woodland and around nest boxes or known shelter trees.

  • Use the lowest practical light level and shield fittings so light does not spill into woodland.
  • Use timers, motion controls or task lighting rather than leaving lights on throughout the night.
  • Fence rehabilitation areas until plants are established and prevent informal tracks through retained habitat.
  • Keep storage, waste, food and building materials away from habitat to reduce feral animal attraction.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Long-term monitoring

Monitor rehabilitation for survival of plantings, canopy development, hollow formation, weed control, fire effects and use by native fauna.

Use wet season surveys from October to April where feasible, and compare results with baseline records and retained reference habitat.

  • Record vegetation cover, mature tree retention, artificial structure condition, feral predator signs and any Northern Brush-tailed Phascogale detections.
  • Review monitoring results after major fires, floods, storms or changes in land use.
  • Continue monitoring until rehabilitation is stable and management objectives are met, with the duration set by approval conditions and ecological risk.
  • Adapt planting, fire, weed, lighting and artificial structure management when monitoring shows that habitat is not recovering or animals are not using the site.

Sources