Junee Shire Council

The PAS recommends various strategies to manage the habitat of threatened species. These include both planning and on ground works to control weeds, pest animals, fire and other human related threats.

Native animals and plants respond differently to fire. Some can persist under a range of fire regimes. However, in many cases, too frequent fire may harm species by killing them, preventing them from spreading, depleting the soil seed bank, or modifying their habitat. Planning for threatened species recovery in relation to fire may mean implementing variable fire regimes and excluding those that are detrimental. Fire management may involve managing hazard reduction activities such as slashing and mowing, to prevent these activities from impacting on species and their habitats.

Advising on the implications and impacts of proposed development activities on threatened species and their habitats is an ongoing recovery action. DEC advises authorities responsible for regional and local planning and development approvals. DEC also informs and advises consultants and other investigators who assess the potential impacts of developments or activities, leading to better conservation outcomes for threatened species. Advice includes environmental impact assessment guidelines, survey guidelines and species profiles, or ongoing liaison and consultation on statutory obligations.

Habitat management includes other actions that are not currently part of a PAS strategy. These include developing best practice guidelines or standards for habitat management, pursuing incentive schemes and stewardship programs, preparing site management plans or managing issues such as erosion, subsidence or flooding. Over time DEC will develop a broader range of strategies to incorporate these habitat management initiatives.

Habitats for threatened species often require protection from disturbances such as vehicles, over visitation, livestock and native animal grazing, roadside maintenance or feral animals. Site protection may involve restricting access to a site by installing fencing or bollards, or placing signs or markers along roads, tracks and utility easements. Aboriginal communities should be involved in decision making when site protection involves restricting access. It may be necessary to discuss balancing protecting threatened species with cultural issues.

The maintenance of river flow regimes and water quality are fundamental to good river health. Ecological processes which sustain native fish and frog populations, vegetation, wetlands and birdlife depend on it. Programs need to be developed that control inappropriate water flows and urban runoff which can result in increased erosion and sedimentation and reductions in water quality.

Habitat loss or modification for urban development and agricultural practices has been a major factor in the decline of many native plants and animals. Rehabilitation and regeneration of lost or modified habitat can help many threatened species continue to survive in the wild. Actions include planting local native plants to provide food, shelter and roosting sites, or bush regeneration to reduce the impact on native plants from weeds. Many local community groups are enhancing and restoring the natural environment and assisting in the continued survival and increase of native species.

Surveys are useful in:

• updating or confirming information about the distribution of a threatened species, by increasing knowledge of where a threatened species is located and the habitats and land tenures it occupies
• clarifying understanding of the conservation status of a threatened species and the threats that may be operating at a site.

Surveys may benefit from the involvement of Aboriginal people to ensure that relevant cultural knowledge on species distribution is considered with the results of scientific assessments.

Mapping and habitat assessment enables a clearer interpretation of the locations or distribution of threatened species and their habitats. It also incorporates habitat analysis and modelling of predictive distributions, allowing biologists to more effectively target surveys and predict where habitats may be situated and where recovery actions may be directed. This information helps environmental managers to assess the significance and impacts of proposed developments or activities.

The PAS recommends various strategies to manage the habitat of threatened species. These include both planning and on ground works to control weeds, pest animals, fire and other human related threats.

Habitats for threatened species often require protection from disturbances such as vehicles, over visitation, livestock and native animal grazing, roadside maintenance or feral animals. Site protection may involve restricting access to a site by installing fencing or bollards, or placing signs or markers along roads, tracks and utility easements. Aboriginal communities should be involved in decision making when site protection involves restricting access. It may be necessary to discuss balancing protecting threatened species with cultural issues.

Surveys are useful in:

• updating or confirming information about the distribution of a threatened species, by increasing knowledge of where a threatened species is located and the habitats and land tenures it occupies
• clarifying understanding of the conservation status of a threatened species and the threats that may be operating at a site.

Surveys may benefit from the involvement of Aboriginal people to ensure that relevant cultural knowledge on species distribution is considered with the results of scientific assessments.

Mapping and habitat assessment enables a clearer interpretation of the locations or distribution of threatened species and their habitats. It also incorporates habitat analysis and modelling of predictive distributions, allowing biologists to more effectively target surveys and predict where habitats may be situated and where recovery actions may be directed. This information helps environmental managers to assess the significance and impacts of proposed developments or activities.