Fauna Spotters logo

Northern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi)

A small, high elevation frog found in the Australian Alps of the ACT and New South Wales. It breeds in shallow pools and seepages in bogs, fens, wet heath and tussock grassland, while adults and juveniles use adjoining woodland and heath. It is listed as Critically Endangered and may be affected by clearing, access works, altered drainage, fire, introduced herbivores and disease on or near development sites.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Critically endangered.

Australian Capital Territory, Nature Conservation Act 2014: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

Northern Corroboree Frogs breed in terrestrial nests beside temporary pools from summer to early autumn. Eggs remain in the nest until rainfall or snowmelt floods it, then tadpoles develop in the pool through winter and metamorphose in late spring or early summer. Avoid clearing, drainage and dewatering near breeding wetlands and surrounding shelter habitat during the full January to November breeding cycle.

Reproductive mode: Egg laying in a terrestrial nest, with aquatic tadpoles after the nest is flooded.

Clutch size: 16 to 38 eggs, with an average of about 24 to 25 eggs.

Incubation or gestation: Eggs hatch after about 4 to 6 months, usually when rainfall or snowmelt floods the nest. Eggs develop to an advanced stage and may enter diapause before hatching.

Size at hatching or birth: Not recorded.

Age at maturity: Most males mature about 4 years after metamorphosis, although some males may mature at 2 to 3 years at lower-altitude sites. Females generally mature after 4 years, or after 5 years at some high-altitude sites.

Nest or egg sites: Small terrestrial chambers in moss, dense grass, tussocks, forbs or leaf litter beside temporary pools and seepages in sphagnum bogs, wet tussock grassland and wet heath. Pools are often dry when eggs are laid.

Breeding frequency: Typically annual, with short annual movements to breeding sites, but breeding success varies between seasons and can fail during drought.

Confirm timing locally against rainfall, snowmelt, pool condition and temperature, because nest flooding, hatching, tadpole survival and metamorphosis can shift across sites and seasons.

  • Calling: Males call from late December to mid March, with the strongest evidence for calling and breeding activity from January to February. Calling occurs from small chambers in moss or other soft vegetation at pool edges.
  • Egg laying: Females lay 16 to 38 eggs from January to March, with February to mid March reported for some populations. Eggs are laid on land in the male's nest in moss, grass, litter or other dense vegetation beside a usually dry seasonal pool.
  • Eggs in nest: Eggs remain in terrestrial nests after laying and hatch after about 4 to 6 months when rainfall or snowmelt floods the nest. The egg period commonly extends from summer into autumn or winter, but the timing varies with pool filling and local rainfall.
  • Metamorphs: Metamorphosis begins in November and occurs in late spring or early summer, generally in November or December after 6 to 8 months of tadpole development. Newly metamorphosed frogs move into adjacent heath and woodland.
  • Active period: Adults are most active and mobile from late December to March, when they move into breeding wetlands and call. Adults and juveniles then move to surrounding heath and woodland after breeding, with activity reduced during the cold winter period.
  • Winter inactivity: During winter, adults shelter under logs, rocks, dense leaf litter, moss and other moist ground cover. The documents do not establish hibernation or a fixed inactive period, so shelter use may vary with temperature and moisture.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest from January to March when adults, calling males, females and nests are concentrated at breeding sites, and from August to November when eggs or tadpoles may still depend on wet nests and pools and metamorphs are emerging. Clearing or changing drainage at any time can remove shelter habitat or alter the wetland conditions needed for recruitment.

Identification

The Northern Corroboree Frog is a distinctive, small terrestrial frog. It is most readily detected by its striped colour pattern and the calls of males at bog pools during the short summer breeding period.

Adults are about 2.5 to 3 cm long. The back has bright yellow, yellow-green or lime-green stripes alternating with black stripes. The striped pattern extends over the limbs and flanks. The underside is broadly marbled or blotched with black and white, or black and yellow. A large, flat femoral gland is present on each hind limb.

Adult body length: 25 to 30 mm

Weight: Not reported in the supplied documents

Identification: Distinguishing features

The Northern Corroboree Frog can be confused with the Southern Corroboree Frog, Pseudophryne corroboree. Northern Corroboree Frogs are generally smaller, often have yellow stripes with a green or lime-green tinge, and have narrower pale mid-dorsal stripes, less than half the width of the adjacent black stripe at mid-body.

The two species have separate ranges. The Southern Corroboree Frog occurs in the Snowy Mountains of Kosciuszko National Park, whereas the Northern Corroboree Frog occurs in the Brindabella, Fiery Range and Bogong Mountains areas.

Identification: Calls and field signs

Males call from small terrestrial chambers or nests in moss, dense vegetation, grass tussocks or damp vegetation beside shallow pools and potential pools. They have advertisement, courtship and threat calls. The advertisement call is more frequent in warmer, overcast conditions and during the late afternoon.

The most useful field sign during the breeding season is a calling male. Eggs are laid in terrestrial nests rather than directly in water, so searches may find nests in moss or dense damp vegetation at pool edges. Tadpoles are dark, have a relatively long paddle-shaped tail and use the adjacent shallow pool after hatching.

Adults and juveniles may be found under logs, rocks, litter or dense ground cover in adjoining woodland and heath. Tracks, scats, sloughs and eyeshine are not expected to provide reliable field signs for this species.

  • During the breeding season, listen at shallow bog pools, seepages and potential pools before disturbing vegetation.
  • Do not rely on a visual search alone. Calling males, eggs and tadpoles may be missed outside the appropriate seasonal window.
  • Treat damp moss, dense tussocks, litter, logs and rocks beside breeding pools as potential shelter or nest habitat.

Distribution: National range

The species has a restricted range in the high country of the ACT and adjacent New South Wales. It occurs as genetically distinct management units, and all known populations are relevant to its survival.

In the Australian Capital Territory, the species occurs mainly along the Brindabella and Bimberi ranges, including Namadgi National Park. In New South Wales, it occurs in the northern Brindabella Range, Fiery Ranges, Bogong Mountains and associated state forest and reserve areas.

The known range includes Namadgi National Park, Bimberi Nature Reserve, Brindabella National Park, Kosciuszko National Park, Bondo State Forest, Micalong State Forest, Wee Jasper State Forest and Buccleuch State Forest. The species occupies approximately 950 km2 according to the recovery plan.

States and territories: Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales

Broad bioregion: Australian Alps, including the Brindabella, Bimberi, Fiery Range and Bogong Mountains high country

Recorded elevation: About 750 to 1800 m above sea level

Approximate range in the recovery plan: About 950 km2

Distribution: Subpopulations and trend

Three genetically distinct evolutionary significant units are recognised: Southern Brindabella, Northern Brindabella and Fiery Ranges. The Southern Brindabella unit occupies higher elevation areas from the Bimberi Range towards Ginini Flats. The Northern Brindabella unit occurs at lower elevations from Bushrangers Creek towards California Flats. The Fiery Ranges unit occurs in New South Wales.

The species declined sharply from the 1980s and the decline has continued. In the ACT, historical records occurred at about 40 sites, but the 2019 report stated that the species was then known from only five sites, including two reintroduction sites and three sites with remaining wild individuals.

Evolutionary significant units: Three: Southern Brindabella, Northern Brindabella and Fiery Ranges

ACT historical sites: About 40 sites

ACT sites known in the 2019 report: Five, including two reintroduction sites

ACT wild population: The ACT Government reported fewer than 50 frogs in the wild on its current species webpage

Population trend: Severe, widespread decline since the early to mid 1980s, with the decline continuing

Distribution: Site assessment

A site should not be discounted because frogs are absent during a single visit. Calling is concentrated in late January and February, and dry conditions can suppress calling or reduce the availability of breeding pools. Survey work for a project should consider suitable bogs, seepages, wet heaths, tussock grasslands and adjoining woodland, including nearby historical records and reference sites.

  • Check current threatened species records and local management maps before planning access, earthworks or vegetation removal.
  • Use experienced personnel and repeat surveys where suitable habitat is present, particularly when a single survey falls outside the calling period or follows dry conditions.

Habitat: Breeding habitat

The species requires two linked habitat components: wet breeding habitat and adjacent terrestrial habitat. Both components, and the water flows that connect them, should be retained when assessing a project footprint.

Breeding habitat includes shallow pools and seepages in Sphagnum bogs, fens, wet tussock grasslands, wet heath and dense herb patches. Pools may be ephemeral or semi-permanent, with still or very slow moving water. Many preferred pools are dry during the breeding season and fill later after rainfall or snowmelt.

Breeding sites commonly have gently sloping ground and may occur on granitic or volcanic substrates. Pools are generally shallow, have relatively large surface areas and low flow rates. Most pools are less than 3 m in diameter, although some may reach 8 m.

Typical breeding water bodies: Shallow pools, potential pools, seepages and wet depressions

Typical pool size: Most pools less than 3 m diameter; some up to 8 m diameter

Water regime: Ephemeral to semi-permanent, usually still or very slow flowing

Habitat: Terrestrial habitat

Outside the breeding season, adults and juveniles use montane forest, subalpine woodland, snow gum woodland, tall moist heath and adjoining forest or heath. Leaf litter, logs and dense understorey vegetation provide cover between breeding areas.

Adults can move more than 300 m from breeding habitat into surrounding woodland after breeding. This means that clearing or construction limited to the edge of a bog can still remove non-breeding habitat used by the species.

Recorded movement into surrounding woodland: More than 300 m after breeding

  • Retain continuous moist ground cover between breeding pools and adjoining woodland or heath.
  • Avoid separating breeding wetlands from nearby woodland, heath and shelter habitat with roads, cleared strips, drainage works or construction compounds.

Habitat: Elevation and climate

The species is restricted to cool, high elevation country. Breeding success depends on rainfall and snowmelt flooding terrestrial nests and maintaining shallow pools until tadpoles metamorphose. Warmer conditions, reduced rainfall and reduced snowfall can shorten the period that pools remain suitable.

Elevation range: About 750 to 1800 m above sea level; the Southern Brindabella population has occupied about 1400 to 1850 m

Hydrological dependency: Rainfall and snowmelt determine nest flooding, pool formation and pool persistence

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding habitat

Foraging occurs on land rather than in the breeding pools. The species feeds in moist woodland, heath and ground cover near breeding areas and during the non-breeding period.

The diet of juveniles, subadults and adults consists mainly of small ants, with other small invertebrates also eaten. Recently metamorphosed frogs probably remain in moist vegetation near pools for several months before moving into adjoining heath and woodland.

The supplied documents do not identify particular food plant species. Vegetation is used as ground structure and shelter rather than as a reported food source.

Main prey: Small ants

Other prey: Other small invertebrates

Foraging range: A precise foraging range is not reported; adults have been recorded moving more than 300 m into surrounding woodland after breeding

  • Retain moist litter, moss, tussocks, low heath and other ground cover that supports small invertebrates.
  • Avoid removing or drying the woodland and heath surrounding breeding sites, as these areas are used by frogs outside the breeding season.

Breeding habitat: Breeding cycle

Breeding is terrestrial at the edge of shallow pools and seepages. Eggs develop in damp nests before autumn or winter flooding allows tadpoles to enter the adjacent pool.

Males move from woodland and heath into breeding areas in January and February. They call from small nests or chambers in moss, dense vegetation or tussocks beside a pool or potential pool. Females enter the breeding area briefly to lay eggs and then leave.

Eggs develop to an advanced stage in the terrestrial nest and enter diapause. Rainfall or snowmelt in autumn or winter floods the nest and stimulates hatching. Tadpoles then move into the adjacent pool, grow slowly through winter and metamorphose in late spring or early summer.

Breeding season: January to February for peak adult movement and calling; calling may continue from late December to mid March

Clutch size: About 25 eggs, range 16 to 38

Egg location: Terrestrial nest in moss or damp, dense vegetation beside a pool or potential pool

Egg and tadpole development: Eggs develop in the nest; tadpoles hatch after flooding and use the adjacent pool

Metamorphosis: Late spring or early summer, generally after slow development through winter

Age at maturity: About four years after metamorphosis for most males; most females are likely to mature after four or five years

Lifespan: A maximum of nine years has been recorded for corroboree frogs, but a species-specific maximum for the Northern Corroboree Frog is not reported

Incubation or gestation: No gestation period is applicable. Eggs remain in terrestrial diapause until the nest is flooded.

  • Protect the nest area, pool margins, seepage lines and the ground between pools from trampling, earthworks, sediment, drainage changes and machinery access.
  • Do not assume a dry depression is unused breeding habitat. Potential pools can be dry when eggs are laid and fill later.

Breeding habitat: Breeding site structure

Suitable breeding areas include Sphagnum bogs, fens, wet tussock grassland, wet heath and seepage lines. Pools are generally shallow, relatively open to solar radiation and have low water flow. Tadpoles require enough water to remain in the pool until metamorphosis.

  • Keep clean water flowing into breeding areas without diverting, concentrating or rapidly draining it.
  • Prevent sediment, spoil, concrete washout, fuels, chemicals and weed material from entering bogs, seepages or pools.
  • Maintain the wet vegetation and open pool margins used for calling, nesting and tadpole development.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter features

Adults and juveniles shelter in moist terrestrial cover. Shelter habitat is usually close to breeding wetlands but can extend more than 300 m into surrounding woodland.

Outside the breeding season, frogs shelter beneath leaf litter, logs and rocks, and within dense understorey vegetation, moss, moist heath and woodland ground cover. Juveniles may remain in damp vegetation near breeding pools for several months after metamorphosis.

The supplied documents do not report a standard shelter diameter, burrow depth, hollow size or den size. The species is not described as using permanent burrows, tree hollows or roosts.

Recorded post-breeding movement: More than 300 m into surrounding woodland

Known shelter types: Leaf litter, logs, rocks, moss, dense tussocks, moist heath and woodland ground cover

Permanent den or hollow: Not reported

  • Retain logs, rocks, deep litter, dense tussocks, moss and low moist vegetation around breeding sites.
  • Inspect and manage machinery routes, stockpile areas and temporary access tracks so they do not crush ground shelters or compact wet soils.
  • Treat woodland and heath within at least the known movement area around breeding sites as potential non-breeding habitat, noting that adults have moved more than 300 m from breeding areas.

Threats: Disease

The principal threat is amphibian chytrid disease, combined with the effects of small population size and unreliable recruitment. Project impacts can add to these pressures by removing wetland or woodland habitat, altering water flows, spreading disease or increasing fire and weed impacts.

Amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is the main documented cause of decline. It is established in the species' habitat and can infect frogs and tadpoles through contact with contaminated water. The Common Eastern Froglet can act as a reservoir host.

There is no proven broad-scale method for controlling the disease in the wild. Hygiene and disease-control procedures are therefore important during surveys, handling, translocation, construction and rehabilitation.

Pathogen: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Disease: Chytridiomycosis

Known reservoir host in the Australian Alps: Common Eastern Froglet, Crinia signifera

  • Use an approved amphibian hygiene protocol for personnel, footwear, vehicles, equipment and any items moved between wetlands.
  • Do not move water, mud, vegetation, frogs, tadpoles or other wet material between breeding sites.
  • Avoid handling frogs unless authorised and necessary, and use experienced fauna personnel where handling is required.

Threats: Clearing, roads and hydrology

Clearing, track construction and earthworks can remove breeding pools, nests, wet vegetation, woodland shelter and movement routes. They can also alter catchment drainage, concentrate runoff, lower water tables or carry sediment into bogs and pools.

Road erosion and poorly controlled stormwater have damaged breeding habitat. Construction near bogs can cause sediment movement, soil disturbance and changes to the timing or persistence of shallow pools.

  • Avoid new access tracks through breeding habitat and avoid placing roads, drains, compounds or stockpiles in bogs, seepages, fens, wet heath or adjacent woodland.
  • Use sediment and erosion controls before ground disturbance and maintain them until exposed ground is stabilised.
  • Keep clean water flows into breeding areas and prevent diversion, dewatering or concentration of runoff.
  • Plan works to avoid the January to February breeding period and the following egg, tadpole and metamorphosis stages wherever practicable.

Threats: Fire and climate

Wildfire can directly kill frogs and damage Sphagnum bogs and other wetland habitat. Fire suppression can also cause impacts through heavy machinery, soil disturbance, sediment and chemical retardants.

Reduced rainfall and snowfall, warmer temperatures and more frequent drought can cause nests or pools to dry before tadpoles metamorphose. Climate change can also alter wetland hydrology and vegetation structure.

Known fire sensitivity: Intense fire can have long-term effects on Sphagnum bogs and can cause direct frog mortality

Main hydrological failure: Early pool drying can cause complete recruitment failure in a dry year

  • Exclude planned fire from identified breeding and overwintering habitat where the applicable land management plan requires it.
  • Keep heavy machinery and retardants out of bogs and their immediate catchments unless required to prevent a greater fire impact and approved under the relevant emergency plan.
  • Include bog hydration, pool persistence, vegetation condition and recent fire history in pre-clearance and impact assessments.

Threats: Introduced animals and weeds

Feral horses and pigs can trample, graze and damage breeding habitat, alter drainage and increase erosion. Deer are also identified as a potential or increasing source of habitat damage. Blackberry can shade breeding pools and make sites unsuitable, while pine wildings and exotic grasses may alter vegetation around wet areas.

  • Keep horses, pigs, deer and other introduced herbivores away from sensitive breeding sites during works.
  • Prevent weed propagules and contaminated soil from entering bogs, seepages and wet heath.
  • Do not use weed control methods that introduce contaminated water, sediment or chemicals into breeding pools.

Threats: Small populations and fragmentation

Small populations are more exposed to drought, fire, disease, failed breeding seasons, loss of genetic diversity and the loss of social calling groups. Fragmenting breeding wetlands from surrounding woodland and heath can reduce access to shelter and foraging habitat.

The species has low annual fecundity and takes several years to mature, so local losses may not be replaced quickly.

Clutch size: Only about 16 to 38 eggs per female

Time to maturity: About four to five years after metamorphosis

  • Treat all suitable habitat and all confirmed populations as sensitive, including sites where frogs are not detected during a single survey.
  • Maintain links between breeding pools and nearby woodland, heath and shelter habitat.
  • Refer any proposed disturbance near known or potential habitat to the relevant ecological authority before works begin.

Survey methodology: 1. Call surveys and call playback

Survey this species in high elevation wet areas and adjoining woodland or heath. Use repeated surveys during the short breeding season, because adults are cryptic outside that period and a failed survey can result from poor timing or dry conditions.

Target shallow bog pools, seepages, wet heath, dense herb patches and fallen tussocks near bogs. Include nearby riparian wet areas and adjoining woodland or heath.

The active breeding season is late January and February, with peak calling generally from late January to late February. Surveys outside the known calling period are unproductive.

Use a listening period followed by call playback. The species guideline reports that males are consistent callers and usually respond consistently to playback.

Conduct surveys during suitable wet conditions and in the middle part of the calling cycle. Calling is more likely during warmer, overcast conditions and in the late afternoon, although the species guideline requires surveys to target the appropriate calling period rather than a particular hour.

Call surveys detect calling males only. A negative result does not exclude females, juveniles or non-calling males.

Recommended season: Late January to February

Peak calling period: Late January to late February

Minimum effort: At least two consecutive days

Primary targets: Bog pools, seepages, wet heath, dense herb patches and fallen tussocks near bogs

  • Use experienced personnel who can identify the Northern Corroboree Frog call and distinguish it from other local frog calls.
  • Survey the full extent of suitable breeding habitat where practicable, including small pools and potential pools that may be dry at the time of the survey.

Survey methodology: 2. Habitat and refuge searches

Search adjacent woodlands, subalpine woodland and tall moist heath for frogs sheltering under logs, rocks, litter and other ground debris. These habitats are used outside the breeding season and may extend more than 300 metres from breeding areas.

Habitat searches outside the breeding season can detect animals, but the species guideline describes this method as inconsistent. Treat it as supplementary to breeding season call surveys.

Non-breeding habitat: Woodland, subalpine woodland and tall moist heath

Recorded movement into adjoining woodland: More than 300 metres after breeding

  • Search slowly and carefully beneath suitable debris, replacing each item in its original position after inspection.
  • Do not damage sphagnum bogs, peat, wet tussocks or seepage lines while searching.
  • Record the location and condition of any breeding pool, seepage, wetland edge, log, rock or dense ground cover that may provide habitat.

Survey methodology: 3. Egg, tadpole and larval searches

Inspect terrestrial nests in moss or damp dense vegetation beside pools or potential pools when breeding habitat is being assessed. Eggs are laid out of water and hatch after rainfall or snowmelt floods the nest.

Inspect shallow, still or slowly flowing pools for tadpoles after nests have been flooded. Eggs and tadpoles are vulnerable to desiccation and early pool drying.

Larval searches are difficult and larvae can be hard to identify to species. Use them as supplementary evidence and obtain specialist advice where identification is uncertain.

Egg laying: Terrestrial nests in moss or damp dense vegetation beside pools

Typical clutch size: About 25 eggs, with a reported range of 16 to 38

Tadpole habitat: Shallow bog pools and seepages

Pool sensitivity: Early drying can cause complete recruitment failure in a breeding season

  • Do not collect eggs, tadpoles or frogs unless the activity is authorised under the relevant wildlife permits and recovery programme.
  • Avoid entering or disturbing nests, pool margins and damp vegetation during searches.
  • Use multiple survey techniques and repeat visits where the project could affect suitable habitat or where the first survey is undertaken in dry conditions.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Plan at least two consecutive survey days during late January or February, with repeated visits over suitable periods where the site is large, dry, difficult to search or affected by variable calling conditions.
  • Cover suitable bogs, fens, wet tussock grassland, wet heath, seepages and adjacent woodland or heath, rather than relying on a single point survey.
  • Use experienced frog surveyors and record survey dates, start and finish times, weather, recent rainfall, habitat condition, survey method, effort, observers, call responses and all detection and non-detection results.
  • Map all records and potential breeding habitat, including pools, seepages, nests, tadpole pools and adjoining non-breeding habitat.
  • Submit confirmed records and relevant survey results to the relevant state or territory wildlife database and report any required records through the project approval or consent conditions.
  • Treat the species as present where suitable habitat is occupied or where a reliable record cannot be excluded, and refer the finding to the project ecologist and relevant wildlife authority before disturbance continues.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoid disturbance to breeding wetlands and the adjoining terrestrial habitat. The species uses small, sometimes ephemeral pools for breeding and nearby woodland or heath for shelter and movement.

Redesign the project to retain sphagnum bogs, fens, wet tussock grassland, wet heath, seepages, shallow pools and potential pools.

Retain adjoining montane or subalpine woodland, tall moist heath, leaf litter, logs, rocks and dense ground cover used outside the breeding season.

Keep construction, access tracks, drainage changes, sediment controls and stockpiles out of breeding habitat and its immediate catchment.

Maintain movement between breeding wetlands and adjoining woodland or heath. The species can move more than 300 metres into surrounding woodland after breeding.

Prevent changes to drainage, water table, pool duration and overland flow. Do not divert water away from pools or concentrate runoff into bogs.

Known elevation range: 750 to 1800 metres

Survey guideline macrohabitat: Woodlands, heathland and grassland above 1000 metres

Relevant movement distance: More than 300 metres into adjoining woodland

  • Use a site map that identifies all known or potential breeding areas, adjoining non-breeding habitat, drainage lines and access routes.
  • Exclude planned fire from identified breeding and overwintering habitat, and plan emergency fire controls to avoid heavy machinery, retardants and sediment entering bogs where practicable.
  • Control pigs, horses, deer and weeds where they threaten wetland structure, pool margins or ground cover.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Confirm the species status and approval pathway before finalising the design. The Northern Corroboree Frog is listed nationally as Critically Endangered in the current ACT Government information and is listed as threatened in the ACT and NSW.

Obtain any EPBC Act approval, exemption, permit or state or territory wildlife authorisation required for the proposed action, handling, collection, relocation or habitat disturbance.

Schedule ground disturbance outside the late January to February breeding and calling period where practicable. If works must occur during this period, complete targeted surveys and obtain written ecological advice before work starts.

Prepare a fauna management plan that defines exclusion areas, access routes, sediment and drainage controls, pre-clearance procedures, fauna handling authority, stop-work triggers, reporting and incident response.

  • Refer the project to the relevant environmental approval authority if it may substantially affect occupied habitat or a nationally listed population.
  • Obtain approval before collecting eggs, tadpoles or frogs, or moving animals beyond the limits of an authorised relocation plan.
  • Brief all supervisors, machinery operators and fauna spotter catchers on the mapped exclusion areas and the frog identification requirements.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance and site preparation

Complete a pre-clearance inspection of all work areas, access routes, drainage lines, bogs, seepages, pools, wet heath, adjoining woodland and ground debris.

Mark exclusion areas clearly on the ground and in machine guidance systems. Include potential pools that are dry during the inspection.

Install exclusion fencing only where it will not impede frog movement, alter drainage or damage peat, sphagnum, wet tussocks or seepage lines.

Stabilise access routes and drainage controls before clearing starts. Prevent sediment, fuel, concrete washout and contaminated water from entering bogs and pools.

Inspect machinery, footwear and equipment before entry and follow the approved hygiene controls to reduce the risk of spreading amphibian chytrid fungus.

  • Use a suitably experienced ecologist to sign off the pre-clearance inspection and exclusion controls.
  • Do not use heavy machinery in or immediately beside sensitive bogs unless the approved plan specifically allows it and the relevant authority has agreed to the controls.
  • Treat occupied or potentially occupied habitat as a no-go area until the project ecologist confirms the control measures.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and spotter catcher duties

Keep machinery away from mapped habitat and maintain a clear chain of communication between the fauna spotter catcher, operator and supervisor. Stop work whenever the approved controls no longer protect the species or its habitat.

Inspect exclusion fencing, sediment controls, drainage controls and access routes before work starts each day and after heavy rain or other events that may damage them.

The fauna spotter catcher must remain authorised, suitably experienced and able to communicate directly with the machine operator and site supervisor.

The spotter catcher must inspect the active work area and any material, debris or vegetation before it is moved, and must maintain visual control of the clearing or disturbance zone.

Use slow, staged clearing towards retained habitat where clearing is authorised. Stop the machine immediately on the spotter catcher's instruction.

Keep machinery, workers, spoil, fuel, concrete washout and dirty water out of bogs, seepages, shallow pools and adjoining retained habitat.

  • Use a dedicated spotter catcher during vegetation removal and ground disturbance in or near suitable habitat, not a person who is also operating machinery.
  • Do not rely on a spotter catcher to make habitat disturbance acceptable where the approval requires the area to be retained.
  • Recheck wetland margins and ground debris after rain, flooding, fire or changes to the work footprint.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat feature handling

Avoid removing logs, rocks, litter, dense ground cover, sphagnum, wet tussocks and other shelter features from retained woodland, heath and wetland edges.

Do not disturb terrestrial nests, damp moss, seepage margins or potential pools unless the approved method specifically authorises the action and an appropriately authorised person is present.

Do not fill, drain, deepen, reshape or compact breeding pools or alter the flow path feeding them.

If an approved relocation of a natural shelter feature is unavoidable, obtain ecological direction first, keep the feature damp where appropriate, move it the shortest practicable distance and replace it in nearby retained habitat with its original orientation.

  • Do not use nest boxes as a substitute for the natural wetland, ground cover and woodland habitat used by this species.
  • Do not move frogs, eggs or tadpoles with earthmoving equipment, spoil, vegetation loads or drainage water.
  • Treat contaminated water, soil and machinery as a disease risk and manage them under the project hygiene plan.

During habitat disturbance: Animal finds, stop work and records

Stop work immediately if a Northern Corroboree Frog, egg nest, tadpole, occupied breeding pool or previously unmapped suitable breeding area is found within or next to the disturbance footprint.

Keep people, machinery and equipment clear of the animal and its immediate shelter or breeding site. Do not chase, handle or photograph the animal unnecessarily.

Only an appropriately authorised and trained person may handle or relocate a frog, egg or tadpole. Follow the approved relocation plan and use nearby suitable retained habitat, not an unapproved release site.

Do not relocate animals across catchments, outside the approved area or into habitat with different population or evolutionary significant unit origins without written approval and specialist direction.

Place an injured animal in a clean, secure, appropriately ventilated container and arrange prompt assessment by the project ecologist, authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian. Do not release it without advice.

Resume work only after the project ecologist and site supervisor have assessed the find, updated controls and confirmed that the approval conditions are met.

  • Record the date, time, precise location, life stage, photographs where appropriate, condition, action taken, handler, destination and people notified for every find.
  • Report any death, injury, unapproved handling, habitat damage, chytrid hygiene breach, sediment discharge or unauthorised disturbance under the approval and incident procedure.
  • Escalate a find to the relevant state or territory wildlife authority where required by the permit, approval or action plan.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

The site remains a risk after machinery leaves. Confirm that wetlands and adjoining shelter habitat have not been drained, compacted, contaminated or isolated, and continue monitoring where the approval or risk assessment requires it.

Have the fauna spotter catcher or project ecologist inspect the completed footprint, retained habitat edges, drainage controls, sediment controls and exclusion fencing before demobilisation.

Check for stranded frogs, damaged nests, altered pool margins, blocked or diverted drainage, exposed peat, compacted ground, sediment deposition and weed introduction.

Remove temporary controls only after the site is stable and their removal will not allow machinery, people, stock or runoff to enter retained habitat.

Repair damaged fencing, wetland margins, ground cover, drainage paths and sediment controls promptly, using methods approved by the project ecologist.

  • Complete a final search of disturbed ground, vegetation piles, spoil edges and drainage structures before they are buried, removed or flooded.
  • Record the condition of each retained breeding area and compare it with the pre-work photographs, maps and habitat assessment.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor occupied and potentially occupied breeding sites during the late January to February calling period where the project could affect habitat, hydrology, fire risk or movement routes.

Use the established method of counting calling males at breeding sites, and record pool and bog characteristics, hydration, vegetation condition and evidence of disturbance.

Repeat monitoring over the period specified in the approval or fauna management plan. Use reference sites where feasible so that project effects can be separated from regional variation.

Report detections, mortalities, injuries, habitat damage, control failures and monitoring results to the approval authority and relevant state or territory wildlife database.

Recommended monitoring period: Late January to February, during the breeding and calling season

Monitoring index: Number of calling males at breeding sites

  • Maintain records of survey effort, weather, rainfall, calling males, occupied pools, habitat condition, incidents, corrective actions and personnel.
  • Review the controls if calling males decline, breeding pools dry earlier, sediment enters habitat, weeds increase or feral animals damage the site.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and residual impacts

Apply the project approval, environmental offset and threatened species policy requirements where impacts cannot be avoided or mitigated.

Do not treat an offset as permission to damage occupied breeding habitat or adjoining non-breeding habitat without the required approval.

Design any offset or compensatory action to protect and improve suitable breeding wetlands, adjacent woodland or heath, hydrology, disease management and long-term monitoring.

  • Obtain written confirmation from the relevant approval authority where the project has a residual impact on nationally or state listed habitat.
  • Link offset monitoring to measurable habitat and population outcomes, not only to completion of planting or fencing.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore breeding and non-breeding habitat

Rehabilitation should recreate functioning wetland and adjoining shelter habitat, not just replace vegetation. Protect the water regime and ground structure first, then control weeds, feral animals, fire and disease risks while the site recovers.

Reinstate shallow pools, seepages, wet tussock grassland, wet heath and sphagnum bog structure where the approved rehabilitation design supports it.

Restore natural drainage and water retention so pools fill after rainfall or snowmelt and do not drain prematurely through tracks, ruts or artificial channels.

Use locally appropriate native wetland, heath and woodland species sourced in accordance with state seed and plant hygiene requirements. The supplied documents identify sphagnum moss, wet tussocks, wet heath, subalpine woodland and montane woodland as relevant habitat types, but do not provide a project planting list.

Retain or reinstate leaf litter, logs, rocks and dense ground cover in adjoining woodland and heath for juveniles and adults outside the breeding season.

Remove spoil, compacted fill, sediment and infrastructure that obstructs natural flows, but do not excavate or reshape bogs without an approved ecological design.

Breeding habitat: Shallow pools and seepages in sphagnum bogs, wet tussock grasslands, fens and wet heath

Shelter habitat: Leaf litter, logs and rocks in adjoining woodland and tall moist heath

Breeding pool character: Usually shallow, often ephemeral, with still or slowly flowing water

  • Prevent newly restored pools from being shaded by blackberry or other weeds where open, sunlit breeding pools are required.
  • Do not introduce fish or other aquatic animals into restored pools.
  • Use locally appropriate materials and prevent transfer of soil, water, plants or equipment that may spread amphibian chytrid fungus.

Rehabilitation actions: Weed, feral animal and fire management

Control blackberry, pine wildings, exotic grasses and other weeds that shade pools, alter ground cover or change wetland structure.

Control pigs, horses and deer where trampling, grazing or drainage incision damages breeding or non-breeding habitat.

Exclude planned fire from breeding bogs and surrounding overwintering habitat where required by the fire management plan.

Plan fire suppression access and methods so heavy machinery, retardants, chemicals, heat and sediment do not damage bogs or contaminate pools.

Inspect restored sites after fire, drought, heavy rainfall and feral animal activity, and repair damage before it expands.

ACT fire planning reference: The ACT action plan specifies avoiding planned burns within 300 metres of identified breeding habitat

Feral animals identified in the documents: Pigs, horses and deer

Weeds identified in the documents: Blackberry, pine wildings and exotic grasses

  • Use weed and feral animal control methods that do not contaminate pools or expose frogs to harmful chemicals.
  • Maintain exclusion fencing where it protects a site from horses or pigs, while allowing access by native fauna where the approved design requires it.
  • Map sensitive breeding sites for use in prescribed burn planning and fire emergencies.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor restored pools and seepages for water presence, duration, sediment, vegetation structure, weed cover and evidence of feral animal damage.

During late January and February, survey restored and reference sites for calling males using repeated call surveys and the approved project method.

Inspect adjoining woodland and heath for retained or recovering litter, logs, rocks and dense ground cover, and record barriers to movement between breeding and non-breeding habitat.

Use the approval or rehabilitation plan to set the monitoring period. Continue until the site is stable and the agreed habitat and population measures have been met.

Minimum species survey effort: At least two consecutive days during the breeding season

Population monitoring measure: Number of calling males

Release requirement: Authorised programme with scientific monitoring

  • Set success measures that include functioning shallow pools and seepages, stable wetland hydrology, low weed and feral animal impact, connected adjoining shelter habitat and confirmed use by Northern Corroboree Frogs where recolonisation or release is an approved objective.
  • Record both detections and non-detections, survey conditions and effort, because calling activity varies with season and weather.
  • Do not release captive-bred frogs or move wild frogs as part of rehabilitation unless the action is authorised, follows the recovery programme and has a scientific monitoring framework.

Sources