Conservation Management Zones of Australia
Mitchell Grasslands
Prepared by the Department of the Environment
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project and associated products are the result of a collaboration between the Biodiversity Conservation
Division and the Environmental Resources Information Network (ERIN). Invaluable input, advice and support were
provided by staff and leading researchers from across the Department of the Environment (DotE), Department of
Agriculture (DoA), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and the academic
community. We would particularly like to thank staff within the Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division, Parks
Australia and the Environment Assessment and Compliance Division of DotE, Nyree Stenekes and Robert
Kancans (ABARES), Sue McIntyre (CSIRO), Richard Hobbs (University of Western Australia), Michael Hutchinson
(ANU); David Lindenmayer and Emma Burns (ANU); and Gilly Llewellyn, Martin Taylor and other staff from the
World Wildlife Fund for their generosity and advice.
Special thanks to CSIRO staff Kristen Williams and Simon Ferrier whose modelling of biodiversity patterns enabled
identification of the Conservation Management Zones of Australia.
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2015.
The Conservation Management Zones of Australia profile is licensed by the Commonwealth of Australia for use
under a Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 Australia licence with the exception of the Coat of Arms of the
Commonwealth of Australia, the logo of the agency responsible for publishing the report, content supplied by
third parties, and any images depicting people.
For licence conditions see here.
Contents
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country ................................................................ 4
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4
Zone at a glance .......................................................................................................................... 5
Population characteristics ............................................................................................................ 9
Employment, volunteering and incomes .................................................................................... 14
Agriculture, Natural Resource Management practices and sources of NRM advice .................. 17
Land tenure, land use, Native Title and Local Government Areas ............................................. 20
Zone vegetation characteristics ................................................................................................. 23
Nationally Important Wetlands ................................................................................................... 24
World and National Heritage ...................................................................................................... 25
Major National Reserve System properties................................................................................ 25
EPBC Act (1999) threatened ecological communities ............................................................... 26
EPBC Act (1999) threatened species ........................................................................................ 27
EPBC Act (1999) migratory species .......................................................................................... 29
Threatened endemic species ..................................................................................................... 30
Invasive species ........................................................................................................................ 32
Vegetation profiles and management recommendations ........................................................... 34
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country
The Australian Government acknowledges Australia’s Traditional Owners and pays respect to Elders past
and present of our nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We honour the deep
spiritual, cultural and customary connections of Traditional Owners to the Australian landscape, including
Australia’s waterways, land and sea country.
Introduction
The 23 Conservation Management Zones of Australia are geographic areas, classified according to their ecological
and threat characteristics. The zones are also aligned with the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia.
The Conservation Management Zones provide a way of understanding Australia’s natural environment that will
assist in long-term conservation planning and help the Australian Government to better design, deliver and report
on Natural Resource Management (NRM) investments, including ensuring alignment of national NRM priorities with
local action.
The Conservation Management Zones also provide a filter through which to make national environmental and
socio-economic data more accessible and comprehensible, and a framework for gathering on-ground knowledge
and expertise about the environment. This will improve information flow to the Australian Government about
regional NRM requirements, best practice management, emerging NRM issues and knowledge gaps.
The Conservation Management Zones do not represent any change to existing administrative boundaries or
governance structures, but aim to support the NRM and wider community to cooperatively manage environmental
assets across boundaries, where they share common threats, ecological characteristics and stakeholders.
Each Conservation Management Zone profile contains a standard suite of nationally available ecological and socioeconomic information. We hope that this information will enable Australians of all ages and backgrounds to
engage with, understand and appreciate Australian landscapes, and support all Australians to manage our natural
resources more effectively.
The profile information provides an indicative, high-level stock-take of the environmental and socio-economic
landscape and it is not intended to be comprehensive. It should also be noted that, at present, the profiles contain
only limited information on aquatic ecosystems, coastal assets and Indigenous land management practices. In
future, consultation and comprehensive literature reviews will enable us to provide more complete information.
Zone at a glance
Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data
REGIONAL CENTRES
POPULATION
Barcaldine
1,317
Cloncurry
2,320
Longreach
3,139
Mount Isa
20,568
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (NRM) REGIONS
Territory Natural Resource Management
NT
Desert Channels Group
QLD
NQ Dry Tropics Group Inc
QLD
South West NRM Group Ltd
QLD
Southern Gulf Catchments Inc
QLD
TOP FIVE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES
VALUE (MILLIONS)
Beef
$689
Wool
$36
Lamb
$19
Hay
$9
Goats
$4
Total value of agricultural commodities (including other commodities not listed here)
$761
CLIMATE CHARACTERISTICS*
Mean annual temperature
23.7 Celsius
Mean Maximum of the Hottest Month
37.1 Celsius
Mean Minimum of the Coldest Month
7.8 Celsius
Mean Annual Rainfall
399.4 mm
Dominant rainfall season
Summer
* The figures are interpolated 75-year means (1921 to 1995) representing the period prior to the onset of
rapid climatic warming. Cited in: Williams KJ, Belbin L, Austin MP, Stein J, Ferrier S (2012)
Which environmental variables should I use in my biodiversity model? International Journal of
Geographic Information Sciences 26(11), 2009–2047. (Data derived from Australian Climate surfaces
version 2.1 for the ANUCLIM-BIOCLIM package).
For future climate projections please refer to: http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/
Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data
Source: Based on data from the National Native Title Register; Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database (CAPAD); National
Vegetation Information System (NVIS); Species’ Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT).
Population characteristics
Population
Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data
LANGUAGES SPOKEN AT HOME
English
83.61%
Other languages
5.69%
Not stated
10.41%
Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data
Education
Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data
Employment, volunteering and incomes
Employment
Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data
Volunteering
Income
Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data
Agriculture, Natural Resource Management practices and
sources of NRM advice
Australian farmers manage over 60% of the Australian continent and shoulder much of the burden of responsibility
for maintaining and protecting Australia’s natural resource wealth. The information contained in this profile aims to
assist the wider community, non-governmental organisations and government agencies to support Australia’s key
environmental custodians.
Agricultural commodity values
Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data
Natural Resource Management practices and sources of NRM advice
* Data obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2012 Land Management Practices Survey
(LaMPS) 2012. LaMPS collected land practices information from approximately 50,000 farm businesses
across Australia. The data has been aligned to Conservation Management Zones from ABS Statistical Area
2 units and Australian Agricultural Environment units. The % figures presented here are indicative only.
For more information on LaMPS please refer to: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4630.0
** The sample for the Drivers of Practice Change 2012 survey consisted of a random subsample of 1228
broadacre farm managers from the Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey (AAGIS) frame.
The data has been aligned to Conservation Management Zones from ABS Statistical Area 2 units. For this
reason, the figures presented here are indicative only.
^ This chart indicates the sources of advice utilised for native vegetation management from respondents
who identified they sought advice.
For more information please refer to http://www.daff.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/forestry/domesticforestry/prep-for-future/drivers-
Land tenure, land use, Native Title and Local Government
Areas
Source: Land tenure data based on Environmental Resources Information Network (ERIN) categorisation of Public Sector Mapping
Authority (PSMA) State Tenure 2012; Land use mapping based on Australian Collaborative Land Use and Management Program
(ACLUMP) 2012. For more information on Australian land use and management information and classification please refer to:
http://www.daff.gov.au/ABARES/aclump/
INDIGENOUS LAND COUNCILS
INDIGENOUS LAND COUNCILS
Central Land Council: www.clc.org.au
North Queensland Aboriginal Land Council: http://www.nqlc.com.au
NATIVE TITLE AND TRADITIONAL OWNERS
Traditional Owners
Registered Native Title Body Corporate
Hectares
% of
zone
Kalkadoon People
Kalkadoon Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
2,725,478
5.80
Indjalandji-Dhidhanu People
Indjalandji-Dhidhanu Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
1,939,183
4.13
1,884,266
4.01
Pitta Pitta People
Ilperrelhelam, Malarrarr,
Nwerrarr, Meyt, Itnwerrengayt
and Ampwertety landholding
groups
Ilperrelhelam Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
1,101,439
2.34
Waanyi People
Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
953,456
2.03
The Newcastle Waters –
Murranji native title holders
154,771
0.33
Warranangku group
118,930
0.25
The Kinbininggu group; the
Warranangku group; the
Marlinja group
65,247
0.14
21,429
0.05
The Karranjini group;
the Bamarrnganja group; the
Warranangku group; the Pinda
(OT Downs) group;
the Lija/Muwartpi group
14,012
0.03
The Warranangku group;
the Karranjini group; the
Lija/Murwartpi group
11,962
0.03
Gurungu/Kulumintini
people
143
0.00
The Jangga People
Bulganunna Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Source: The Native Title Tribunal Register, October 2013.
For more information please refer to: http://www.nntt.gov.au/Pages/Searchportal.aspx
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
Barkly Shire
NT
Central Desert Shire
NT
Roper Gulf Shire
NT
Barcaldine Regional
QLD
Barcoo Shire
QLD
Blackall Tambo Regional
QLD
Boulia Shire
QLD
Burke Shire
QLD
Charters Towers Regional
QLD
Cloncurry Shire
QLD
Diamantina Shire
QLD
Flinders Shire
QLD
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
Isaac Regional
QLD
Longreach Regional
QLD
Mckinlay Shire
QLD
Mount Isa City
QLD
Murweh Shire
QLD
Quilpie Shire
QLD
Richmond Shire
QLD
Winton Shire
QLD
Zone vegetation characteristics
The National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) framework is a nationally consistent vegetation classification
system based on vegetation data collected by states and territories. It provides information on the extent and
distribution of vegetation types across the Australian landscape.
Two products are used to provide the Zone Vegetation Characteristics graph. A modelled pre-European vegetation
distribution (pre-1750), and extant (current extent) vegetation, which is based on contemporary vegetation
mapping. The information presented here relates to Major Vegetation Subgroups (MVSs). There are 85 MVS types
across Australia, describing the structure and floristic composition of dominant and secondary vegetation stratums
(e.g. canopy and mid-storey species). Major Vegetation Subgroups only reflect the dominant vegetation type
occurring in an area from a mix of vegetation types. Less-dominant vegetation groups which may also be present
are therefore not represented.
It is important to note that the vegetation information is indicative only, as state and territory mapping in Australia is
of variable resolution and scale. However, this data is the best available nationally consistent information on
vegetation, and the dataset continues to evolve and increase in accuracy.
Analysing this information at Conservation Management Zone, rather than national level provides greater
discrimination for decision makers, as clearance levels of vegetation types are not uniform across Australia.
For example, eucalypt woodlands with a tussock grass understory is a vegetation type found across Australia.
In the Brigalow Woodlands Conservation Management Zone, eucalypt open woodlands with a tussock grass
understory originally covered approximately 36% of the zone, but today it only covers only 14.5 % of the zone
(58.7% of this vegetation community has been cleared in the Brigalow). In the Northern Australia Tropical
Savannah zone, this vegetation type originally occupied 19.6% of the zone. Today, it occupies approximately
19.4% of the zone (only 2.3% of this vegetation type has been cleared). It should be noted that this data only
provides an indication of change in extent, and not vegetation condition.
For more information on the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) please refer to:
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/science-and-research/databases-and-maps/national-vegetation-informationsystem
Nationally Important Wetlands
NATIONALLY IMPORTANT WETLANDS
JURISDICTION
HECTARES
CRITERIA
Aramac Springs
QLD
399
1, 3
Austral Limestone Aggregation
QLD
69,335
1
Bingeringo Aggregation
QLD
429
1, 2, 3
Cauckingburra Swamp
QLD
782
1, 2, 3, 5
Corella Lake
NT
10,195
1, 2, 3
Diamantina Lakes Area
QLD
2
1, 2, 3
Doongmabulla Springs
QLD
400
1, 3
Elizabeth Springs
QLD
399
1, 3
Eva Downs Swamp
NT
12,672
1, 2, 3
Great Basalt Wall
QLD
722
1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Gregory River
QLD
14,833
1, 2, 3
Lake Buchanan
QLD
23,212
1, 2, 3, 5
Lake de Burgh
NT
22,216
1, 2, 3, 4
Lake Galilee
QLD
25,789
1, 2, 3, 5
Lake Julius
QLD
1,936
1, 2, 3
Lake Moondarra
QLD
1,742
1, 2, 3
Lake Sylvester
NT
76,466
1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Lake Woods
NT
42,568
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Tarrabool Lake
NT
46,942
1, 2, 3, 5
Thorntonia Aggregation
QLD
296,198
1, 2, 3, 6
Nationally important wetlands are defined according to the following criteria:
1. It is a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia.
2. It is a wetland which plays an important ecological or hydrological role in the natural functioning of a major
wetland system/complex.
3. It is a wetland which is important as the habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles, or
provides a refuge when adverse conditions such as drought prevail.
4. The wetland supports 1% or more of the national populations of any native plant or animal taxa.
5. The wetland supports native plant or animal taxa or communities which are considered endangered or
vulnerable at the national level.
6. The wetland is of outstanding historical or cultural significance.
Please note, the above are a subset of all the Nationally Important Wetlands found within the Zone. For more
information on Nationally Important Wetlands please see: http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/directoryimportant-wetlands-australia-third-edition
World and National Heritage
HERITAGE VALUES
WORLD OR NATIONAL
HERITAGE
TYPE
JURISDICTION
HECTARES
% OF
ZONE
Australian Fossil Mammal
Sites (Riversleigh)
World and National
Natural
QLD
10,021.49
0.02
Longreach Airport
National
Historic
QLD
261.75
0.00
Great Artesian Basin
Springs: Elizabeth
National
Natural
QLD
101.11
0.00
Dinosaur Stampede
National Monument
National
Natural
QLD
90.94
0.00
QANTAS Hangar
Longreach
National
Historic
QLD
0.11
0.00
Tree of Knowledge
and curtilage
National
Historic
QLD
0.02
0.00
Please refer to the Australian Heritage Database for detailed information on listing criteria for these
heritage values:
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/publications-and-resources/australian-heritage-database
For more information on Australia’s world and national heritage please refer to:
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/about-australias-heritage
Major National Reserve System properties
MAJOR NATIONAL RESERVE SYSTEM PROPERTIES
Name
Property type
IUCN
category
Jurisdiction
Hectares
% of zone
Astrebla Downs
National Park
II
QLD
173,527
0.37
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill)
National Park
II
QLD
163,669
0.35
Lake Woods
Conservation Covenant
IV
NT
129,425
0.28
Diamantina
National Park
II
QLD
116,839
0.25
White Mountains
National Park
II
QLD
111,763
0.24
Kynuna
Nature Refuge
VI
QLD
36,719
0.08
Moorrinya
National Park
II
QLD
32,594
0.07
Connells Lagoon
Conservation Reserve
IA
NT
25,890
0.06
Lochern
National Park
II
QLD
24,327
0.05
Cudmore (Limited Depth)
National Park
II
QLD
21,213
0.05
Bladensburg
National Park
II
QLD
20,265
0.04
Camooweal Caves
National Park
II
QLD
13,720
0.03
Toomba
Nature Refuge
VI
QLD
13,693
0.03
Longreach Waterhole
Protected Area
IV
NT
9,679
0.02
Toko Range
Nature Refuge
VI
QLD
9,231
0.02
White Mountains
Resources Reserve
VI
QLD
8,970
0.02
Edgbaston Station
Biodiversity Hotspot
IV
QLD
8,165
0.02
Bimblebox
Nature Refuge
VI
QLD
7,927
0.02
Bullen Bullen
Nature Refuge
VI
QLD
6,550
0.01
MAJOR NATIONAL RESERVE SYSTEM PROPERTIES
Cudmore
Resources Reserve
VI
QLD
6,312
0.01
THE IUCN CATEGORIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Ia Strict Nature Reserve
IUCN protected area management categories classify
protected areas according to their management
objectives. The categories are recognised by international
bodies such as the United Nations and are utilised by
many national governments, including the Australian
Government, as the global standard for defining and
recording protected areas.
Ib Wilderness Area
II National Park
III Natural Monument or Feature
IV Habitat/Species Management Area
V Protected Landscape/ Seascape
VI Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources
Please refer to the IUCN website for further explanation:
http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_quality/gpap_pacategories/
For more information on Australia’s National Reserve System please refer to:
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/land/national-reserve-system
Source: Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database 2012.
EPBC Act (1999) threatened ecological communities
THREATENED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES
Name
Listing status
% of total distribution*
% of zone**
The community of native species dependent on
natural discharge of groundwater from the Great
Artesian Basin
Endangered
17.47
0.4
Weeping Myall Woodlands
Endangered
4.74
6.9
Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and codominant)
Endangered
0.04
0.001
* % of the total national distribution describes the proportion of the total national distribution
of the Threatened Ecological Community that is found within the zone.
** % of the total zone area describes the proportion of the zone that the Threatened Ecological Community
is likely or known to occur in.
It should be noted that the identification of any given Threatened Ecological Community above does not imply that
the Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) is found uniformly across the Conservation Management Zone.
Rather, the % of the TEC’s total distribution (*) within the zone is an indication of its importance to that zone
in terms of conservation efforts. The % of the zone (**) indicates how rare, or difficult the ecological community may
be to find within the zone.
The threatened ecological communities above are listed under The Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which is the Australian Government’s principal environmental legislation.
For more information, please refer to http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities
EPBC Act (1999) threatened species
THREATENED MAMMALS
Common name
Scientific name
Status
% of total
distribution*
% of
zone**
Julia Creek Dunnart
Sminthopsis douglasi
Endangered
75.51
4.28
Carpentarian Antechinus
Pseudantechinus mimulus
Vulnerable
50.81
11.23
Greater Bilby
Macrotis lagotis
Vulnerable
13.08
50.61
Kowari
Dasyuroides byrnei
Vulnerable
10.76
2.13
Koala (combined populations of Queensland,
New South Wales and the Australian Capital
Territory)
Phascolarctos cinereus
Vulnerable
5.33
4.73
Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby
Onychogalea fraenata
Endangered
2.85
0.01
Itjaritjari, Southern Marsupial Mole,
Yitjarritjarri
Notoryctes typhlops
Endangered
0.2
0.31
Ampurta
Dasycercus hillieri
Endangered
May be
present
n/a
Northern Quoll
Dasyurus hallucatus
Endangered
May be
present
n/a
South-eastern Long-eared Bat
Nyctophilus corbeni
Vulnerable
May be
present
n/a
THREATENED BIRDS
Common name
Scientific name
Status
% of total
distribution*
% of
zone**
Night Parrot
Pezoporus occidentalis
Endangered
58.01
6.32
Black-throated Finch (southern)
Poephila cincta cincta
Endangered
32.28
4.43
Plains-wanderer
Pedionomus torquatus
Vulnerable
22.19
3.36
Star Finch (eastern), Star Finch (southern)
Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda
Endangered
3.93
3.40
Squatter Pigeon (southern)
Geophaps scripta scripta
Vulnerable
3.82
2.91
Australian Painted Snipe
Rostratula australis
Endangered
1.56
0.65
Red Goshawk
Erythrotriorchis radiatus
Vulnerable
0.36
0.79
Gouldian Finch
Erythrura gouldiae
Endangered
0.2
0.18
Masked Owl (northern)
Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli
Vulnerable
0.0008
0.001
Australasian Bittern
Botaurus poiciloptilus
Endangered
May be present
n/a
* % of total distribution describes the proportion of the total national distribution of the threatened species
that is found within the zone.
** % of zone describes the proportion of the zone that the threatened species is likely or known to occur in.
The % of zone indicates how rare, or difficult the species may be to find within the zone.
THREATENED REPTILES
Common Name
Scientific name
Status
% of total
distribution*
% of
zone**
Plains Death Adder
Acanthophis hawkei
Vulnerable
78.67
34.35
THREATENED REPTILES
Gulf Snapping Turtle
Elseya lavarackorum
Endangered
20.96
0.57
Yakka Skink
Egernia rugosa
Vulnerable
4.43
0.76
Ornamental Snake
Denisonia maculata
Vulnerable
0.97
0.15
Mount Cooper Striped Lerista
Lerista vittata
Vulnerable
May be
present
n/a
Dunmall’s Snake
Furina dunmalli
Vulnerable
May be
present
n/a
Common name
Scientific name
Status
% of total
distribution*
% of
zone**
Edgbaston Goby
Chlamydogobius squamigenus
Vulnerable
100
0.016
Elizabeth Springs Goby
Chlamydogobius micropterus
Endangered
100
0.004
Redfin Blue Eye, Redfin Blue-eye
Scaturiginichthys
vermeilipinnis
Endangered
100
0.008
Largetooth Sawfish, Freshwater Sawfish, River
Sawfish, Leichhardt’s Sawfish, Northern Sawfish
Pristis pristis
Vulnerable
6.94
17.68
OTHER THREATENED FAUNA
THREATENED FLORA
Common Name
Scientific name
Status
% of total
distribution*
% of
zone**
Blue Devil
Eryngium fontanum
Endangered
100
0.01
None
Lawrencia buchananensis
Vulnerable
100
0.03
None
Austrobryonia argillicola
Endangered
91.13
1.55
Pink Gidgee
Acacia crombiei
Vulnerable
57
1.44
None
Sclerolaena walkeri
Vulnerable
48.08
0.37
None
Rhaphidospora bonneyana
Vulnerable
42.64
0.25
Salt Pipewort, Button Grass
Eriocaulon carsonii
Endangered
33.65
0.05
Waddy, Waddi, Waddy-wood, Birdsville
Wattle
Acacia peuce
Vulnerable
29.56
0.21
Waxy Cabbage Palm
Livistona lanuginosa
Vulnerable
24.68
0.01
None
Solanum carduiforme
Vulnerable
14.17
0.07
None
Hakea maconochieana
Vulnerable
2.68
0.06
Ooline
Cadellia pentastylis
Vulnerable
2.4
0.46
None
Xerothamnella parvifolia
Vulnerable
1.98
0.03
None
Eucalyptus virens
Vulnerable
1.56
0.04
Frogbit
Hydrocharis dubia
Vulnerable
0.65
0.00
King Blue-grass
Dichanthium queenslandicum
Endangered
0.37
0.02
bluegrass
Dichanthium setosum
Vulnerable
0.29
0.00
None
Cajanus mareebensis
Endangered
May be present
n/a
a cycad
Cycas platyphylla
Vulnerable
May be present
n/a
Miniature Moss-orchid, Hoop Pine Orchid
Bulbophyllum globuliforme
Vulnerable
May be present
n/a
* % of total distribution describes the proportion of the total national distribution of the threatened species
that is found within the zone.
** % of zone describes the proportion of the zone that the threatened species is likely or known to occur in.
The % of zone indicates how rare, or difficult the species may be to find within the zone.
The above species are listed under The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
(EPBC Act), the Australian Government’s principal environmental legislation.
Please note that the list of threatened flora species is not comprehensive. The flora listed here have a
significant proportion of their total national distribution within the zone. For more information please refer
to: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species or the Species Profiles and Threats
Database http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl
EPBC Act (1999) migratory species
MIGRATORY BIRDS
Common name
Scientific name
Fork-tailed Swift
Apus pacificus
Great Egret,
White Egret
Ardea alba
Cattle Egret
Ardea ibis
Painted Snipe
Rostratula benghalensis
(sensu lato)
Oriental Pratincole
Glareola maldivarum
Black-faced Monarch
Monarcha melanopsis
Little Curlew, Little Whimbrel
Numenius minutus
Oriental Plover, Oriental Dotterel
Charadrius veredus
White-bellied
Sea-Eagle
Haliaeetus leucogaster
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola
Pacific Golden Plover
Pluvialis fulva
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica
Lesser Sand Plover, Mongolian Plover
Charadrius mongolus
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa
Red-necked Stint
Calidris ruficollis
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Calidris acuminata
Marsh Sandpiper, Little Greenshank
Tringa stagnatilis
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Latham’s Snipe,
Japanese Snipe
Gallinago hardwickii
Great Knot
Calidris tenuirostris
Rufous Fantail
Rhipidura rufifrons
Satin Flycatcher
Myiagra cyanoleuca
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
MIGRATORY BIRDS
Rainbow Bee-eater
Merops ornatus
For more information please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/biodiversity/migratory-species
Threatened endemic species
THREATENED ENDEMIC SPECIES
Taxonomic
group
Scientific name
Reservation status
EPBC Act status
IUCN status
Fish
Chlamydogobius micropterus
Recorded in reserves
Endangered
Critically
Endangered
Fish
Chlamydogobius squamigenus
Recorded in reserves
Vulnerable
Critically
Endangered
Fish
Scaturiginichthys
vermeilipinnis
Recorded in reserves
Endangered
Critically
Endangered
Molluscs
Gabbia pallidula
Not recorded
in reserves
n/a
Vulnerable
Molluscs
Jardinella acuminata
Recorded in reserves
n/a
Endangered
Molluscs
Jardinella colmani
Not recorded
in reserves
n/a
Critically
Endangered
Molluscs
Jardinella coreena
Not recorded
in reserves
n/a
Vulnerable
Molluscs
Jardinella corrugata
Recorded in reserves
n/a
Vulnerable
Molluscs
Jardinella edgbastonensis
Recorded in reserves
n/a
Vulnerable
Molluscs
Jardinella isolata
Not recorded
in reserves
n/a
Vulnerable
Molluscs
Jardinella jesswiseae
Recorded in reserves
n/a
Endangered
Molluscs
Jardinella pallida
Recorded in reserves
n/a
Endangered
Molluscs
Jardinella zeidlerorum
Not recorded
in reserves
n/a
Endangered
Reptiles
Acanthophis hawkei
Not recorded
in reserves
Vulnerable
n/a
Concentrations of unreserved endemic species
The colour grids and numbers are an indication of the location and number of endemic species that have all their
known range outside of the National Reserve System. Concentrations of unreserved endemic species may be
useful focal areas for private land conservation efforts.
Endemism analyses were provided by the Australian Government Department of Environment Australian Natural
Heritage Assessment Tool (ANHAT). The ANHAT database has been compiled from specimens and site records
held in state agency wildlife atlases, museum collections, and the work of individual researchers. For more
information please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/publications-and-resources/australiannatural-heritage-assessment-tool
Invasive species
INVASIVE MAMMALS
Common name
Scientific name
% of total distribution*
% of zone**
Cat, House Cat, Domestic Cat
Felis catus
6.12
100.00
Pig
Sus scrofa
12.63
94.49
Red Fox, Fox
Vulpes vulpes
4.49
58.97
Horse
Equus caballus
6.88
21.69
Rabbit, European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
4.50
52.40
Dromedary, Camel
Camelus dromedarius
5.38
39.01
House Mouse
Mus musculus
3.37
25.53
Domestic Dog
Canis lupus familiaris
4.17
22.09
Goat
Capra hircus
4.51
20.55
Domestic Cattle
Bos taurus
2.23
8.07
Feral deer species in Australia
n/a
3.69
3.01
Black Rat, Ship Rat
Rattus rattus
1.11
2.62
Brown Hare
Lepus capensis
0.29
0.60
Common name
Scientific name
% of total distribution*
% of zone**
Cane Toad
Rhinella marina
16.34
67.19
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
10.71
67.39
Rock Pigeon, Rock Dove, Domestic Pigeon
Columba livia
3.57
19.36
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
2.35
10.78
Asian House Gecko
Hemidactylus frenatus
3.84
1.84
Nutmeg Mannikin
Lonchura punctulata
2.51
1.42
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
0.7
1.06
Common Myna, Indian Myna
Acridotheres tristis
0.79
0.87
Spotted Turtle-Dove
Streptopelia chinensis
0.16
0.29
OTHER INVASIVE FAUNA
* % of the total national distribution of the invasive species found within the zone.
** % of the total zone area that the invasive species is likely or known to occur in.
INVASIVE FLORA
Common name
Scientific name
% of total distribution*
% of zone**
Prickly Acacia
Acacia nilotica subsp. indica
37.03
90.63
Parkinsonia, Jerusalem Thorn,
Jelly Bean Tree, Horse Bean
Parkinsonia aculeata
26.75
90.01
Prickly Acacia, Blackthorn,
Prickly Mimosa, Black Piquant, Babul
Vachellia nilotica
47.39
56.28
Mesquite, Algaroba
Prosopis spp.
40.55
52.23
Buffel-grass, Black Buffel-grass
Cenchrus ciliaris
3.69
27.09
INVASIVE FLORA
Rubber Vine, Rubbervine, India Rubber Vine, India
Rubbervine, Palay Rubbervine, Purple Allamanda
Cryptostegia grandiflora
16.02
23.19
Parthenium Weed, Bitter Weed,
Carrot Grass, False Ragweed
Parthenium hysterophorus
16.28
21.26
Cotton-leaved Physic-Nut,
Bellyache Bush, Cotton-leaf Physic Nut,
Cotton-leaf Jatropha, Black Physic Nut
Jatropha gossypifolia
19.65
16.74
Athel Pine, Athel Tree, Tamarisk,
Athel Tamarisk, Athel Tamarix, Desert Tamarisk,
Flowering Cypress, Salt Cedar
Tamarix aphylla
5.31
8.17
Lantana, Common Lantana, Kamara Lantana,
Large-leaf Lantana, Pink Flowered Lantana, Red
Flowered Lantana, Red-Flowered Sage,
White Sage, Wild Sage
Lantana camara
2.72
2.82
Salvinia, Giant Salvinia, Aquarium Watermoss,
Kariba Weed
Salvinia molesta
2.76
1.82
Prickly Pears
Opuntia spp.
1.45
1.17
Hymenachne, Olive Hymenachne,
Water Stargrass, West Indian Grass, West Indian
Marsh Grass
Hymenachne amplexicaulis
1.23
0.59
Prickly Pears
Cylindropuntia spp.
4.26
0.57
African Boxthorn, Boxthorn
Lycium ferocissimum
0.35
0.40
Water Hyacinth, Water Orchid, Nile Lily
Eichhornia crassipes
1.06
0.21
Cat’s Claw Vine, Yellow Trumpet Vine, Cat’s Claw
Creeper, Funnel Creeper
Dolichandra unguis-cati
1.41
0.17
Fireweed, Madagascar Ragwort, Madagascar
Groundsel
Senecio madagascariensis
0.55
0.17
Prickly Pears
Austrocylindropuntia spp.
3.24
0.09
* % of the total national distribution of the invasive species found within the zone.
** % of the total zone area that the invasive species is likely or known to occur in.
It should be noted that the identification of any given invasive species above does not imply that the
species is found uniformly across the Conservation Management Zone. The % of the zone area (**)
indicates how common or rare the species may be within the zone.
For more information on invasive species please refer to:
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/biodiversity/invasive-species
Vegetation profiles and management recommendations
Vegetation extent information and species lists contained in the vegetation profiles are based on analysis from
the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS), including analysis of Major Vegetation Subgroups and
NVIS Level V descriptions. Please see http://www.environment.gov.au/node/18930 for more information.
The management recommendations have been drawn from EPBC Act Recovery Plans, EPBC Act Ecological
Communities Listing Advice and other sources. The recommendations are indicative only. Systematic reviews of
management literature, consultation processes and improved Natural Resource Management program monitoring
and evaluation will support development of a comprehensive set of management recommendations over time.
Mitchell grass (Astrebla) tussock grasslands vegetation profile
99.43% Remaining
Commonly found species within this community
Astrebla pectinata; Acacia farnesiana; Acacia victoriae; Acacia cambagei; Corymbia terminalis; Astrebla lappacea;
Aristida latifolia; Dichanthium sericeum subsp. Sericeum; Astrebla squarrosa; Astrebla elymoides; Iseilema
vaginiflorum; Iseilema membranaceum; Eulalia aurea; tussock grass.
Management recommendations
PROTECTION
SUSTAINABLE
REHABILITATION FIRE
AGRICULTURAL
MANAGEMENT
WILDLIFE
WEED
FERAL
DISEASE
MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
ANIMAL
MANAGEMENT
PRACTICE
Purchase high value
remnants into
reservation
Encourage uptake of
conservation
agreements and
covenants, particularly
on private land that
provides habitat for
threatened species.
MANAGEMENT
Moderate grazing
is beneficial as it
maintains Mitchell
grass tussocks by
stimulating plant
growth and
seedling
recruitment.
Areas badly
affected by
Mitchell Grass
dieback may not
have viable seed
banks and
restoration may be
required.
Manage total
grazing pressure,
particularly during
drought periods.
Consult with your
local NRM
organisation about
recovery
strategies, grazing
practices and
seasonal
management for
areas affected by
Mitchell Grass
dieback.
Consult with your
local NRM
organisation
about grazing
practices
seasonal
management and
rehabilitation for
areas affected by
Mitchell Grass
dieback.
Undertake
mosaic burning
to prevent
uncontrolled,
intense,
unplanned
wildfires, and
maintain habitat
for endangered
species including
Western harewallaby, Bilbies
and Mulgara.
Avoid dingo
control which
may increase the
impacts of
introduced
predators.
Manage weeds
including Prickly
Acacia,
Parkinsonia,
Rubberbush,
Buffel Grass,
Counch Grass,
Roby Dock and
Noogoora Burr.
Undertake
coordinated and
widespread
programs for the
control of feral
animals, such as
cats, pigs, foxes
and rabbits.
Eucalyptus low open woodlands with hummock grass vegetation profile
99.18% Remaining
Commonly found species within this community
Eucalyptus leucophloia; Eucalyptus leucophylla; Eucalyptus persistens; Eucalyptus pruinosa; Corymbia terminalis;
Corymbia capricornia; Corymbia aparrerinja; Acacia chisholmii; Triodia pungens; hummock grass; tussock grass.
Management recommendations
PROTECTION
SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURAL
PRACTICE
REHABILITATION FIRE
MANAGEMENT
Encourage uptake
of conservation
agreements and
covenants on
private land.
Manage grazing
practices
including
avoiding
high-intensity
set stocking.
Allow natural
regeneration of
tree species
through fencing
and stock
exclusion.
Avoid fertiliser
drift from adjacent
crops
and pastures.
Undertake
revegetation
activities where
there is no
evidence of
over-storey
regeneration.
Protect from
firewood
harvesting.
Protect
paddock
trees.
WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT
WEED
MANAGEMENT
FERAL
ANIMAL
MANAGEMENT
DISEASE
MANAGEMENT
Eucalyptus open woodlands with a grassy understorey vegetation profile
86.46% Remaining
Commonly found species within this community
Eucalyptus coolabah; Eucalyptus crebra; Eucalyptus whitei; Eucalyptus camaldulensis; Eucalyptus cambageana;
Corymbia dallachiana; Corymbia terminalis; Acacia harpophylla; Acacia cambagei; Carissa lanceolata; Eremophila
mitchellii; Bothriochloa ewartiana; Eragrostis dielsii; Triodia pungens; tussock grass; hummock grass.
Management recommendations
PROTECTION
SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURAL
PRACTICE
REHABILITATION FIRE
MANAGEMENT
WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT
WEED
MANAGEMENT
FERAL
ANIMAL
MANAGEMENT
Encourage uptake
of conservation
agreements on
private land.
Manage total
grazing pressure
at important sites
through exclusion
fencing or other
barriers. e.g.
Fence riparian
areas and stream
banks.
Revegetate gullies
and stream banks
where vegetation
has been cleared
and widen the strip
of riparian
vegetation.
Place nest boxes
in remnants where
there are few
hollow bearing
mature trees.
Ensure all nest
boxes are
monitored for
invasive bird
species such as
Indian Myna.
Manage weeds
including Lippia
(Phyla canescens)
and African
Boxthorn (Lycium
ferocissimum).
Control feral
animals
contributing to
grazing pressure
and trampling.
Retain hollow
bearing trees
and ensure that
trees are left to
grow to maturity.
Retain fallen
timber.
Protect from
changes to water
flows and water
table levels.
Protect during
maintenance/
road works.
Manage
livestock grazing
practices
and density.
Reduce fertiliser
application.
Reduce herbicide
application.
Implement water
efficiency
measures for
existing irrigation
and dryland
cropping
infrastructure.
Plant native
hollow bearing
tree species.
Create or
restore wildlife
corridors
and linkages.
Develop
appropriate
fire management
plans.
Provide maps of
remnants to local
and state Rural
Fire Services.
Avoid
inappropriate
chemical use or
mowing/slashing
to eradicate
weeds.
DISEASE
MANAGEMENT
Acacia (+/- low) open woodlands and sparse shrublands +/- tussock grass
vegetation profile
83.92% Remaining
Commonly found species within this community
Acacia cambagei; Acacia georginae; Acacia argyrodendron; Acacia pendula; Eremophila mitchellii; Senna
artemisioides; Atalaya hemiglauca; Lysiphyllum cunninghamii; Ventilago viminalis; Sporobolus actinocladus;
Eragrostis setifolia; Astrebla pectinata; Astrebla lappacea; tussock grass.
Management recommendations
PROTECTION
SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURAL
PRACTICE
REHABILITATION FIRE
MANAGEMENT
WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT
WEED
MANAGEMENT
FERAL
ANIMAL
MANAGEMENT
Encourage uptake
of conservation
agreements and
covenants to
protect remnants.
Use lopping
methods that do
not result in the
death of the
dominant
tree species.
Replant
understorey
species (such as
chenopods) where
they have
been depleted.
Keep stock away
from known
nesting sites of
ground dwelling
birds.
Manage sites to
prevent
introduction
of invasive
plant species.
Control Bag
shelter moth
outbreaks in
significant stands
of acacia species.
Prevent trampling
and excessive
grazing pressure
in key
remnant sites.
Repair and
expand and
connect
remnants.
Allow fallen
branches and
bark to remain on
ground to provide
fauna habitat.
Manage grassy
weeds such as
Buffel grass
(Cenchrus
ciliaris) and
Coolatai grass
(Hyparrhenia
hirta).
Control exotic
pest animals at
known sites.
Protect acacia
species from
clearing and
lopping for
drought fodder.
Avoid firewood
collection (dead
and fallen trees).
Retain standing
dead trees.
Use strategic
grazing, and
where possible
exclude stock to
allow
regeneration
to occur.
Avoid fertiliser and
herbicide
application in or
near remnants.
Collect and store
seeds for future
plantings.
Implement fire
regimes that
protect chenopod
shrubs (e.g.
saltbushes and
native cotton
bushes).
Seek advice from
your local NRM
organisation on
appropriate
fire regimes.
Do not remove
mistletoe from
Acacia and
eucalypt species
as these provide
important food
resources
for birds and
mammals.
Avoid cultivating
or disturbing the
soil to prevent
weed invasion.
DISEASE
MANAGEMENT