Central Highlands management actions

Aerial view by Guy Roth
Photo: Guy Roth
Possum in a nest by Phil Spark
Photo: Phil Spark
People planting trees by Milly Hobson
Photo: Milly Hobson

General management action

Routine control of terrestrial and aquatic weeds, including via management agreements with NRM agencies, councils and other organisations.

Routine control of feral animals, including via management agreements with NRM agencies, councils and other organisations.

Targeted revegetation works to increase native vegetation cover over the long term, focussing efforts adjacent to existing remnant vegetation, within threatened ecological communities, within identified regional corridors, and adjacent to rivers, streams and wetlands.

Prevent livestock from having permanent access to rivers, streams and wetlands, and where possible excluding grazing altogether to allow the condition of river banks and wetlands to recover.

 

Priority management actions for this region

  • Design fences that facilitate passage of large native animals (e.g. kangaroos, emus) across the landscape.
  • Avoid use of large fishing nets in rivers and creeks, and remove any dis-used nets that may ensnare or obstruct fish and other species such as Fitzroy River Turtle and White-throated Snapping Turtle.
  • Consider establishment of non-fishing zones along reaches of major rivers in your region such as the Comet River, Dawson River, Mackenzie River and Nogoa River, to provide sanctuary zones for species including Silver Perch, Redclaw Crayfish and Common Yabby.
  • Protect and monitor known nesting sites of raptor species such as Red Goshawk and White-bellied Sea Eagle.
  • Do not remove termite mounds as these are important for native animals such as Laughing Kookaburra, Sand Goanna and Short-beaked Echidna.
  • Retain surface rocks as habitat for species such as Black-headed Python, Ornamental Snake, Adorned Delma and Yakka Skink.
  • Retain native grassland and shrubs on the farm for ground-dwelling species such as Bridled Nailtail Wallaby, Zebra Finch and Ornamental Snake.
  • Retain and/or augment in-stream woody habitat (large logs), as these provide important habitat for aquatic species such as Silver Perch, Yellow-belly, Redclaw Crayfish and threatened freshwater turtle species.
  • Retain stick and leaf litter for ground-dwelling species such as Carpet Python, Short-beaked Echidna, Grey-crowned Babbler and Yakka Skink.
  • Undertaken strategic revegetation to improve long-term connectivity for species such as Common Brushtail Possum, Koala, Star Finch, Rufous Fantail and Willie Wagtail, focussing efforts adjacent to existing remnant vegetation.
  • Work with the community to control the cane toad as it will impact native animals such as Northern Quoll, Lace Monitor, Frill-necked Lizard and Rainbow Bee-eater.
  • Work with the community to control feral cats which prey on native species such as Black-fronted Dotterel, Star Finch, Tawny Frogmouth, Adorned Delma and Yakka Skink.
  • Work with the community to control wild dogs which prey on native species such as Bridled Nailtail Wallaby, Koala and Sand Goanna as well as calves and lambs.

 

For more information about the key management actions listed above click here