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Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii)

The northern hairy-nosed wombat is a large, nocturnal, grass-eating marsupial that digs extensive burrows in sandy soils. It is restricted to Queensland, with populations at Epping Forest National Park, Richard Underwood Nature Refuge and a newer population at Powrunna State Forest. On development sites, clearing of suitable woodland, sandy levee habitat and native grass cover can remove feeding areas or prevent future reintroduction, while works can damage burrows, fences and food resources.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

The timing below describes a typical year for the Queensland populations. Rainfall can shift breeding activity, and drought can reduce breeding and the number of independent young.

Month values are January to December: 0 means not typical, 1 means occurs, and 2 means peak. Construction timing does not remove the need to survey and protect active burrows outside the higher-risk months.

  • Breeding and births: Most young are born between November and April. Breeding is linked to summer rainfall and increased grass availability, with births generally in spring and summer.
  • Young in pouch or dependent: Young remain in the pouch for about eight to nine months, then stay associated with the mother until weaning at around 12 months. Young may remain in burrows while the mother forages.
  • Night foraging and seasonal activity: The species forages at night throughout the year. Activity and grazing area are greater in the winter dry season, when an adult may graze about 6 ha over about 6 hours, compared with about 3 ha over about 2 hours in summer.
  • Movement and dispersal: No regular migration is reported. Individuals use burrow systems and adjoining feeding areas, and translocations are a managed conservation action rather than natural seasonal movement.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing can damage burrows and feeding habitat at any time. Risk is highest from November to April because births and dependent young are concentrated in this period and young may be sheltering in burrows.

Identification

The northern hairy-nosed wombat is the largest living wombat and the largest herbivorous burrowing mammal in the world. It is a heavy, ground-dwelling animal with a broad muzzle and strong digging claws.

Adults have soft greyish fur, a broad head, short solid legs, long strong claws, a broad nose and relatively long, pointed ears. The muzzle is fringed with fine whiskers. Females are reported to be slightly heavier than males.

Average adult weight: About 32 kg

Length: Can exceed 1 m

Sex differences: Females are reported to be slightly heavier than males

Identification: Distinguishing features

The northern hairy-nosed wombat can resemble the southern hairy-nosed wombat, but the southern species often has a white patch on the nose and chest. The northern species has softer fur, longer and more pointed ears, and a broader whiskered muzzle than the common wombat.

There are no similar-looking wombat species within the northern hairy-nosed wombat's known range, but species identification should not rely on appearance alone where animals, hair or signs are recorded away from known populations.

Identification: Field signs

Look for large burrow systems in deep sandy soil, usually on levee banks or the shoulders of shallow gullies. Burrows have several entrances and may form extensive warrens. Active entrances and trails may be marked with dung piles, urine splashes and scratches.

Tracks, scats and burrow activity can support detection. Hair collected from adhesive hair tapes can be analysed genetically and has been used for population monitoring. The species is generally quiet, and no diagnostic call is reported in the supplied sources. Eyeshine is not described in the supplied survey guidance.

Suggested trapping effort from monitoring guidance: Five to ten days per burrow, with at least three sessions in successive months where trapping is undertaken

Hair-tape checking: Check hair tapes each morning for nine days

  • Search suitable woodland and grassland during the day for burrows, tracks, scats, dung-marked trails and other signs of activity.
  • Use camera traps at burrows, feed stations or water points where access is suitable.
  • For presence surveys, consider hair sampling, refuge checks, camera trapping and direct observation at potentially active burrows.
  • Do not enter, collapse, block or excavate a burrow during survey or construction activities.

Distribution: Current range

The species formerly occurred across parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Its known distribution contracted to central Queensland, with translocation and reintroduction establishing additional populations in the former range in south-west Queensland.

Current populations are in Queensland. The remnant population is at Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland, north-west of Clermont. A translocated population occurs at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge near St George in south-east Queensland, and a third population was being established at Powrunna State Forest near St George in 2024.

The supplied sources do not provide formal IBRA bioregion names or elevation limits. For project screening, use the named population areas and former range rather than assuming that apparently suitable habitat is unoccupied.

Current state: Queensland

Known current population sites: Epping Forest National Park, Richard Underwood Nature Refuge and Powrunna State Forest

Historical range: Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, including the Deniliquin area, the St George to Moonie River area and central Queensland

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

Epping Forest National Park contains the remnant population and remains the main population stronghold. The Richard Underwood Nature Refuge colony was founded using 15 wombats translocated from Epping Forest between 2009 and 2013. A third population was established at Powrunna State Forest through translocation in 2024.

Epping Forest population estimate: About 400 wombats in the 2022 census reported by the Queensland Government; an earlier estimate was 240 in 2016 and 315 in 2021.

Richard Underwood population: About 18 wombats in the Queensland Government update; the 2017 estimate was 11.

Historical low: About 35 wombats remained in the wild in the 1980s.

EPBC listing basis: Critically Endangered, including a very restricted distribution and declining habitat quality

Habitat: Habitat types

Northern hairy-nosed wombats require a combination of grass-rich feeding habitat and deep, stable sandy soil for burrowing. The two older colonies occur within fenced sites where predators and livestock are managed.

At Epping Forest National Park, habitat includes open eucalypt woodland, brigalow scrub and gidgee scrub. Heavy non-cracking clay soils support grass foraging areas, while deep alluvial sands along a former creek or gully provide burrow sites.

Richard Underwood Nature Refuge comprises eucalypt woodland on old river levees. The species' habitat is enclosed by predator exclusion fencing at the established sites.

Epping Forest area: About 32 km2 of brigalow and gidgee scrub, with a fenced area of about 18 km2 and 7 to 9 km2 of suitable burrow habitat reported in 2017

Richard Underwood Nature Refuge: About 1.3 km2 of eucalypt woodland on old river levees, including about 0.7 km2 of suitable burrowing habitat and 0.6 km2 of grazing habitat

Soil pattern: Deep sandy soil is used for burrows; adjacent heavy clay is used for foraging but becomes waterlogged in wet seasons

Habitat: Structural features

Prioritise open woodland or woodland communities with year-round, diverse grass cover, deep sandy banks, levees or gully shoulders, and mature trees near burrow sites. Native bauhinia roots may help stabilise extensive burrows.

No elevation range is given in the supplied sources. Hydrology matters because wet-season waterlogging affects clay foraging areas, while flooding can surround habitat and reduce access to food even when burrows remain dry.

  • Map sandy levee banks, former creek channels, gully shoulders and active or potentially active burrow systems before clearing or earthworks.
  • Retain native grass cover and mature trees associated with sandy burrow areas wherever practicable.
  • Treat apparently suitable former-range habitat as potentially important for future reintroduction, even where wombats are not currently recorded.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

The species grazes mainly on native grasses and sedges in open woodland and adjoining grass-rich areas. It feeds at night and can travel across several hectares between shelter and feeding areas.

The diet consists mainly of native grasses, including three-awned grasses, bottle-washer grasses and Fimbristylis dichotoma. Buffel grass is also eaten, but its increase may reduce the diversity and quality of preferred native grasses.

Foraging occurs on heavy clay soils and other grass-rich areas adjacent to sandy burrow habitat. Grass is available year-round where habitat condition is suitable, but food supply and breeding activity respond strongly to rainfall.

Main food: Native grasses and sedges, especially Aristida species, Enneapogon species and Fimbristylis dichotoma

Introduced food plant: Buffel grass, Cenchrus ciliaris

Diet composition: Grass makes up more than 90 percent of the diet

Seasonal foraging area: About 6 ha grazed over about 6 hours in winter, compared with about 3 ha grazed over about 2 hours in summer

  • Assess native grass cover, buffel grass cover, grazing pressure and access to supplementary food or water where relevant to a managed population.
  • Avoid introducing livestock or allowing uncontrolled grazing in habitat that could support a population or future reintroduction.
  • Use weed hygiene measures on vehicles, machinery and personnel to reduce the spread of buffel grass and other invasive plants.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding is linked to summer rainfall and the resulting increase in grass availability. Females give birth to a single young and use burrows as protected places for pouch young and dependent young while they forage.

A female usually gives birth to one young. Most births occur between November and April. The young leaves the pouch after about eight to nine months and remains associated with the mother until weaning at around 12 months.

In good rainfall periods, females may breed once every two years. Drought reduces the proportion of females breeding and the proportion of independent young in the population.

Breeding season: Most births occur from November to April, with breeding linked to summer rainfall

Litter size: One young

Pouch period: About 8 to 9 months

Weaning: Around 12 months

Female maturity: About 2.5 to 3 years

Male maturity: About 3 years

Lifespan: About 25 to 30 years

Generation length: About 14 years

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Breeding habitat includes stable burrows in deep sandy soil close to grass-rich foraging areas. Before weaning, young remain in the burrow while the mother feeds at night, so disturbance around active burrows can affect both the young and the foraging female.

Maintain connected access between burrow systems, feeding areas and water points. Avoid clearing, vibration, vehicle movement, excavation and night lighting near active burrows during the November to April birth period and while young remain dependent.

Sheltering habitat: Burrow systems

Burrows are the species' principal refuge from heat, cold, drought and predators. They are dug in deep sandy soils and may form extensive, multi-entrance warrens.

At Epping Forest, burrows are dug in deep sand deposited on levee banks beside a dry creek bed. They are often close to native bauhinia trees, whose roots may stabilise the tunnels. Adjacent heavy clay is generally unsuitable for burrowing because it becomes waterlogged after rain.

Burrows can have several entrances and may be used by more than one wombat, although they are solitary for about 70 percent of the time. Queensland guidance reports burrow systems with up to 90 m of tunnels and multiple entrances.

Burrow tunnel length: Up to 90 m reported for burrow systems

Burrow entrances: Multiple entrances are typical

Burrow use: About 70 percent of the time, burrows are used by a solitary individual

Main shelter function: Protection from hot and cold conditions and reduced water loss

  • Inspect and map all burrow entrances and associated dung-marked trails before ground disturbance.
  • Establish a species-specific exclusion zone around active burrows in consultation with the relevant Queensland wildlife authority and project ecologist.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, fencing materials, lighting and sediment out of entrances and tunnel areas.
  • Repair any fence damage promptly after storms, floods, fires or construction incidents.

Sheltering habitat: Other refuges

Wombats may use smaller, single-entrance burrows as short-term refuges, while larger burrow systems provide more permanent shelter. No nests, tree hollows or roosts are used by this ground-dwelling species, and no specific ground-cover height is provided in the supplied sources.

Threats: Clearing, fragmentation and construction

The species remains at high risk because most individuals are concentrated in a small number of fenced sites. Project activities can increase risk by removing grass, damaging burrows, opening access for predators or altering drainage and fire behaviour.

Habitat clearing and alteration across the former range have reduced the number of sites suitable for additional populations. Clearing at known sites can remove feeding habitat, mature trees associated with burrows and access between burrows and grassland.

Roads, pipelines, utility corridors, compounds and temporary access tracks can fragment small habitat patches, increase vehicle activity and create routes for predators or weeds. The supplied documents do not provide a species-specific road mortality rate, so all vehicle access near burrow systems should be controlled as a precaution.

  • Complete a targeted habitat and burrow assessment before clearing, earthworks, trenching or road construction.
  • Avoid clearing deep sandy levees, gully shoulders, active burrow systems and adjoining grass-rich woodland.
  • Use a spotter catcher and ecological supervisor where approved works occur near potential burrow habitat.
  • Keep vehicle speeds low and restrict night driving near known or potential burrow areas.
  • Prevent spoil, trench collapse, vibration and construction lighting from affecting burrow entrances.

Threats: Fire, weeds and hydrology

Buffel grass can outcompete native grasses and create continuous fuel loads. Fire usually does not directly reach wombats in their burrows, but a severe fire can remove their food supply. Drought reduces body condition, reproductive output and food availability.

Flooding and altered drainage can waterlog clay foraging areas, surround habitat and reduce access to food. The supplied sources report that burrows at Epping Forest were not inundated during the 2008 floods, although the area was surrounded by floodwater.

  • Control buffel grass and maintain a mosaic of burnt and unburnt areas under an approved fire regime.
  • Maintain fire breaks and inspect fences after fire, flood and storm events.
  • Avoid blocking natural drainage or directing concentrated water towards sandy levees and burrow systems.
  • Rehabilitate disturbed ground with suitable native grass cover and control weed spread from machinery.

Threats: Predators, competition and disease

Dingoes and wild dogs killed 10 wombats during predation episodes in 2000 and 2001. Foxes are excluded from the Epping Forest fence, while cats may still enter there. Cats and foxes may threaten juveniles and can carry diseases such as toxoplasmosis and sarcoptic mange.

Eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies and rabbits can compete for grass, supplementary feed or water, particularly during drought. The species has low genetic variability following a historical population bottleneck, which may reduce resilience to disease and other sudden events.

Predation event: Ten wombats were killed by dingoes and wild dogs in 2000 to 2001

Historical genetic bottleneck: The population fell to about 35 individuals in the 1980s

Potential diseases identified in conservation advice: Toxoplasmosis and sarcoptic mange

  • Maintain predator exclusion fencing and prevent construction activities from creating gaps or unsecured gates.
  • Use fauna and weed hygiene protocols for people, vehicles, equipment and materials entering known or potential habitat.
  • Do not provide food or water unless it forms part of an approved management programme.
  • Record and report sick, injured or dead wombats, unusual burrow mortality or predator incursions to the project ecologist and relevant wildlife authority.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat and burrow searches

Survey for the northern hairy-nosed wombat should focus on suitable burrowing and grazing habitat, active burrows and signs of use. The species is nocturnal but can remain underground for up to seven days, so absence from a single visit is not reliable.

Known habitat: Open woodland or woodland communities with year-round grass cover and deep, sandy soils suitable for burrowing.

Known Queensland sites: Epping Forest National Park, Richard Underwood Nature Refuge and, from 2024, Powrunna State Forest.

  • Search during the day for open woodland or grassland with deep, sandy soil suitable for burrowing, particularly near old levees, creek channels and woodland edges.
  • Search for burrow entrances, fresh dung, urine marks, tracks, scratches, grazed paths and other signs of recent activity.
  • Inspect potential habitat across the entire disturbance footprint and the adjoining retained area that could be used for foraging or refuge.
  • Record the location, condition and apparent activity of each burrow and map all areas of suitable habitat.
  • Consult local landholders, local communities and Traditional Owners about historical or recent records, while recognising that unconfirmed reports require verification.

Survey methodology: 2. Camera trapping and burrow checks

Useful locations: Burrow entrances, supplementary feeding points and supplementary watering points.

Detection limitation: Wombats can remain underground for up to seven days and may burrow around or beneath traps.

  • Place passive infrared cameras at active or potentially active burrow entrances and at supplementary feeding or watering points where these occur.
  • Complete refuge checks by assessing burrow activity without entering, blocking or damaging burrow systems.
  • Use cameras to record emergence, return, foraging and use of burrows, especially where animals may avoid traps or remain underground.
  • Check equipment at intervals that do not disturb the animal or compromise the security of the site, and record dates, camera effort, locations and observations.

Survey methodology: 3. Spotlighting and observation

Activity pattern: Mainly nocturnal, with some daytime activity during cooler winter conditions.

Recommended timing: Late winter and early spring are identified as an optimal period for above-ground detection.

  • Conduct spotlight searches at night through suitable woodland and grassland, with particular attention to active burrows and grazing areas.
  • Use observation surveys at potentially active burrows to detect animals emerging to forage.
  • Prioritise late winter and early spring, when animals are active above ground at night after a prolonged period of low pasture productivity.
  • Record the start and finish time, route, weather, visibility, search area, observers, animal locations and behaviour.
  • Keep observers and vehicles away from burrow entrances and do not pursue, corner or illuminate an animal for longer than needed for identification.

Survey methodology: 4. Hair sampling and trapping

Hair tape effort: Check every morning for 9 days.

Trap session effort: 5 to 10 days per burrow, with at least three sessions in successive months where trapping is required.

Identification: Northern hairy-nosed wombat can be identified from hair samples.

  • Use hair tapes or other approved hair sampling devices at gates in trapping fences, between metal stakes outside burrow entrances, or at other approved points used by wombats.
  • For population or identity work, have suitably experienced personnel collect and manage samples for genetic analysis.
  • Check hair tapes every morning for 9 days where this method is used.
  • Do not use trapping simply to establish presence, because trapping is not considered necessary for presence or absence surveys for this species.
  • Where trapping is required for an approved population study or management operation, trap each burrow for 5 to 10 days and use at least three sessions in successive months, under an approved animal ethics and wildlife permit arrangement.
  • Use cage trapping only under the direction of the responsible wildlife authority or an appropriately authorised wildlife ecologist, because wombats may evade traps and trapping can affect individuals.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use a survey design suited to the size and habitat types of the site, and replicate effort across each suitable habitat type where the project area exceeds 5 hectares.
  • Combine daytime habitat and sign searches with cameras, burrow activity checks, spotlighting or observation, and hair sampling where the risk and survey objective justify those methods.
  • Treat a survey as inconclusive if conditions, access, season or animal behaviour limited detection, and document the limitation rather than reporting absence.
  • Record survey dates, effort, methods, weather, habitat, burrow locations, photographs, camera files, hair samples, observer qualifications and all detections or evidence of absence.
  • Submit confirmed records and survey results to the relevant Queensland wildlife database or other relevant state or territory wildlife database, and provide records to the project regulator and land manager as required.
  • Report any potential northern hairy-nosed wombat record promptly to the relevant state wildlife authority and seek advice before disturbance continues.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise impacts

Treat any suitable deep sandy burrowing habitat in the historical range as a potential planning issue until it has been assessed. The known wild distribution is in Queensland, and the species remains nationally listed as Critically Endangered.

Burrow habitat: Deep sandy soils on levee banks or old river levees, often near trees and adjacent to heavier clay grazing soils.

Foraging area: Adults have been reported to graze about 6 hectares over 6 hours in winter and 3 hectares over 2 hours in summer.

  • Redesign the project to avoid occupied burrows, burrow warrens, deep sandy levees, creek deposits and connected grazing areas wherever practicable.
  • Retain native grass cover and the woodland structure around burrows, including native bauhinia, eucalypts and other trees that may stabilise burrow systems or provide adjacent habitat.
  • Retain a connected area between burrowing habitat, grazing habitat and other suitable retained habitat, rather than isolating individual burrows.
  • Do not clear or compact sandy soils, fill drainage lines, alter surface water flow or place spoil, stockpiles, access tracks or temporary compounds over burrows or likely burrow habitat.
  • Define site specific no go areas and buffers around mapped burrows and habitat features in consultation with the relevant wildlife authority, because the supplied documents do not prescribe a universal buffer distance.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Breeding period: Most young are born between November and April, and young leave the pouch after about 8 to 9 months.

Current national status: Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act.

  • Check the current EPBC Act requirements before clearing or construction, because the species is listed as Critically Endangered nationally.
  • Refer the action under the EPBC Act if it may have a significant impact on the species or its habitat, and do not start a controlled action until the required approval pathway is resolved.
  • Check Queensland wildlife, protected area, vegetation clearing, animal ethics and translocation requirements, or the equivalent requirements in another state or territory if a record or suitable habitat occurs outside Queensland.
  • Obtain written advice from the relevant wildlife authority before handling, trapping, relocating or disturbing a wombat.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that maps habitat, sets out exclusion areas, defines fauna spotter catcher responsibilities, specifies stop work triggers and includes emergency contacts.
  • Stage clearing so that retained habitat and escape routes remain available, and schedule noisy or ground disturbing work outside the period of highest expected activity where the regulator considers that practicable.
  • Plan for drought, wildfire, flood and fence damage, because these events can reduce food availability or expose the population to additional risk.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete the pre clearance survey using methods suited to the site, including daytime habitat and burrow searches and targeted night observation or camera monitoring where suitable habitat is present.
  • Mark all active and potentially active burrows, grazing areas, sandy soils, retained habitat, access routes and exclusion areas on the ground and in the construction environmental management plan.
  • Install exclusion fencing only where it will not block access to retained habitat, trap an animal outside refuge habitat or damage burrows, and have the design checked by the fauna spotter catcher and the relevant authority.
  • Inspect exclusion fencing and access controls after storms, fire, floods and vehicle movements, and repair damage before work resumes.
  • Brief all machinery operators, supervisors and contractors on the species’ appearance, burrow signs, speed restrictions, exclusion zones, stop work triggers and reporting procedure.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and supervision

Northern hairy-nosed wombats are large, nocturnal burrowing mammals that may stay underground and avoid traps. Works must therefore be controlled around burrows and suitable sandy habitat, not only around animals seen above ground.

  • Have the fauna spotter catcher inspect the work area, exclusion fencing, access tracks and mapped burrows before machinery starts each day.
  • Maintain a fauna spotter catcher within the active work area whenever clearing, excavation, vehicle movement or ground disturbance could affect suitable habitat.
  • Use a staged clearing sequence that works from the disturbed area towards retained habitat, giving an animal a clear route to move away without being chased.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, fill, fuels, washdown water and temporary structures outside marked burrow and habitat exclusion areas.
  • Use low speeds and stop machinery before approaching a burrow, animal, mound, track or other unexpected sign.
  • Do not use dogs, night chasing, smoke, water, excavation or other methods to force an animal from a burrow.
  • Keep lighting, vibration and night work away from active burrows unless the work is authorised and the wildlife authority has approved the control measures.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna spotter catcher response

  • The fauna spotter catcher must direct the operator, maintain visual contact where possible and confirm that the next area is clear before each clearing movement.
  • Stop work immediately if a wombat is seen, if a burrow is exposed or damaged, or if fresh signs indicate that an animal may be within the work area.
  • Do not handle a wombat unless the person is authorised, trained and satisfied that handling is necessary to prevent immediate harm.
  • Allow an uninjured animal to move to nearby retained habitat where it can do so safely, and keep machinery, workers and vehicles clear until it has left the danger area.
  • Use an approved wildlife authority or veterinarian for any capture, examination, transport or relocation, and release an animal only at an agreed nearby retained habitat site.
  • Place an injured animal in a quiet, secure container only when directed by an authorised person, and arrange immediate assessment by a veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer.
  • Do not relocate an animal to an unapproved site, release it into unsuitable habitat or separate a dependent young animal from its mother.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features, stop work and records

Historical predation event: Dingoes and wild dogs killed 10 northern hairy-nosed wombats in 2000 to 2001, leading to construction of a 20 kilometre exclusion fence at Epping Forest.

  • Treat burrow systems, sandy levees, deep alluvial deposits, native grass patches, logs and other shelter features as fauna habitat until inspected and cleared by the fauna spotter catcher.
  • Do not enter, collapse, fill, trench through or excavate a burrow unless the action is specifically authorised and an approved fauna procedure is in place.
  • If clearing exposes a burrow, suspend work in the immediate area, establish a temporary exclusion zone, inspect for animals and obtain advice before removing or modifying the feature.
  • Stop work for any confirmed or suspected northern hairy-nosed wombat, injured animal, damaged burrow, failed exclusion fence, predator breach, wildfire, flood or other event that could affect the animal or its food supply.
  • Record the date, time, location, activity, machinery, habitat feature, animal condition, action taken, people involved, photographs and the authority or veterinarian contacted.
  • Report all incidents, injuries, deaths, relocations, burrow damage and unexpected records to the project environmental officer, regulator and relevant wildlife database as required.
  • Inspect and maintain predator exclusion fencing because dingoes, wild dogs, foxes and cats are recognised risks at managed populations.

After habitat disturbance: Post clearance inspection

Post work controls must confirm that no animal or burrow has been missed and that retained habitat remains usable. Monitoring should be scaled to the level of disturbance, the habitat affected and any approval conditions.

  • Inspect the completed clearing area, retained edges, access routes and exclusion fencing for burrows, tracks, dung, hair, grazing signs and animals before demobilising the fauna team.
  • Recheck areas that were obscured by vegetation, spoil, water or machinery during the initial clearance.
  • Keep temporary exclusion zones in place until the fauna spotter catcher and environmental officer confirm that the area is safe and the approved works are complete.
  • Repair any damaged fence, gate, drainage structure or retained habitat edge that could allow predators, livestock or machinery into the protected area.
  • Remove temporary materials and waste without entering or damaging burrow systems.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitoring methods: Burrow checks, camera traps, direct observation, signs, hair sampling and approved trapping are documented methods for this species.

Population monitoring context: Genetic analysis of non invasively collected hair has been used to estimate population size.

  • Monitor retained burrows and habitat using repeat burrow activity checks, camera traps, spotlighting, sign searches or hair sampling where required by the management plan or approval.
  • Compare post work observations with the pre clearance record, including burrow activity, habitat condition, grass cover, predator activity and any evidence of displacement.
  • Monitor food resources after clearing, fire, drought or flood because the species depends on grass and may be affected even when burrows remain intact.
  • Submit the final fauna report with maps, survey effort, detections, incidents, handling or relocation details, photographs, monitoring results and any corrective actions.
  • Provide confirmed records to the relevant state wildlife database and meet all EPBC Act, Queensland or other approval reporting requirements.
  • Review the fauna management plan if monitoring identifies reduced burrow activity, loss of grass cover, predator access, weed spread or other unexpected impacts.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and residual impacts

  • Apply the mitigation hierarchy and document why any residual impact cannot be avoided or further reduced.
  • Obtain advice on offsets, compensatory habitat or other conservation measures where an approval requires them or where significant residual impacts remain.
  • Do not treat an offset as a substitute for retaining occupied burrows, suitable sandy soils, connected grazing habitat or predator exclusion at the project site.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should restore the combination of deep sandy burrowing areas, adjacent grass foraging habitat and protective woodland. It should also reduce the threats identified for the species, especially buffel grass, predators, fire and competition for food.

Diet: Grass makes up more than 90 percent of the diet, with native Aristida, Enneapogon and Fimbristylis recorded as important foods.

Burrow setting: Burrows are associated with deep sandy soils, often near trees, while adjacent heavy clay soils are used for grazing.

  • Reinstate natural soil profiles and drainage over disturbed areas, with deep sandy material retained or replaced where it is suitable for burrowing and approved by the relevant authority.
  • Re-establish native grass cover, including locally appropriate native species such as Aristida, Enneapogon and Fimbristylis, where these are part of the local reference community.
  • Retain and regenerate suitable eucalypt woodland, brigalow and gidgee communities around grazing and burrowing habitat, using locally appropriate provenance and methods approved for the site.
  • Do not create artificial burrows or move burrow materials unless a species specialist and the relevant wildlife authority have approved the design and location.
  • Reinstate logs, woody debris and other natural shelter features where they were removed, without placing material over active burrow entrances or blocking movement routes.
  • Manage rehabilitation areas so that grass cover remains available year round and does not become a continuous, high fuel load.

Rehabilitation actions: Weed, predator and fire management

Buffel grass risk: Buffel grass can outcompete native grasses and create continuous fuel loads that increase wildfire risk.

Fire response: Wombats are generally protected from fire in burrows, but fire can remove their food supply.

  • Control buffel grass and other invasive weeds in accordance with an approved weed management plan, while avoiding soil disturbance that could damage burrows.
  • Use weed hygiene controls on machinery, vehicles, footwear and materials entering or leaving the site.
  • Maintain predator exclusion fencing where it forms part of the approved conservation design, and inspect it after fire, flood, storms and construction activities.
  • Control or manage dingoes, wild dogs, foxes and cats only through lawful, approved programs implemented by authorised personnel.
  • Plan patch burning or other fire management with the land manager and wildlife authority so that food remains available in burned and unburned areas.
  • Provide supplementary food and water only where approved and needed, particularly after drought or major wildfire, and monitor access by competing herbivores.

Rehabilitation actions: Rehabilitation monitoring and success

Breeding response: In good rainfall periods females may breed once every two years, while drought reduces breeding and the proportion of independent young.

Long term monitoring: The species is long lived, with records of individuals surviving 25 to 30 years, so habitat monitoring should support sustained management rather than a single completion check.

  • Inspect rehabilitation areas at least after major rain, fire, flood and construction maintenance events, and record erosion, weed cover, grass recovery, predator access and burrow activity.
  • Use repeat fixed photo points, vegetation plots, burrow checks, camera traps and sign searches to measure whether habitat is becoming suitable for foraging and shelter.
  • Measure success against approved project targets for native grass establishment, weed reduction, retained or restored habitat area, functioning fences and absence of construction related burrow damage.
  • Continue monitoring long enough to detect seasonal variation in grass availability and breeding response, because reproduction is linked to summer rainfall and food availability.
  • Adapt planting, weed, fire, predator and competitor management when monitoring shows that food resources, habitat quality or access to retained areas is declining.
  • Maintain rehabilitation records and submit monitoring outcomes to the land manager, regulator and relevant state wildlife database where records or approval conditions require it.

Sources