Enhancing Biodiversity Hotspots Along Western Queensland Stock ...
Enhancing Biodiversity Hotspots Along Western Queensland Stock ...
Enhancing Biodiversity Hotspots Along Western Queensland Stock ...
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<strong>Biodiversity</strong> hotspots<br />
Site 1. Julia Creek Airport<br />
STOCK ROUTE NUMBER: P012<br />
PRIORITY SPECIES: Animals:<br />
Julia Creek dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi).<br />
RATING: BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT<br />
SHIRE COUNCIL: McKINLAY SHIRE<br />
The Julia Creek Airport is already a focus for management actions for the Julia Creek<br />
dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi). This is because there is strong community support<br />
for the species and its promotion as a tourist icon, and because a population was<br />
discovered around the airport. In conjunction with the Julia Creek community,<br />
McKinlay Shire Council, DERM, and Southern Gulf Catchments Ltd. (SGC), a<br />
predator-proof fence has been constructed around the airport and part of the stock<br />
route (which is an active Reserve), to protect an existing population of the dunnart<br />
from predation by feral cats and foxes. (The Shire has the authority to fence off part<br />
of the SRN reserve for this purpose).<br />
THREATS: The major threat to the Julia Creek dunnart is predation by cats, foxes<br />
and dogs. Overgrazing and weed invasion, in particular parkinsonia (Parkinsonia<br />
aculeata), would degrade the quality of habitat. The advancement of cane toads into<br />
the area is an unknown, but is expected to have a further negative impact.<br />
CURRENT MANAGEMENT: In conjunction with McKinlay Shire Council, DERM is<br />
actively ensuring all predator species are eliminated from within the predator-proof<br />
fenced site (Plate 1). Ongoing monitoring and management is planned for the future<br />
with the cooperation of all involved.<br />
RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that the current maintenance of the<br />
predator-proof fence and predator control be maintained, and planned on-going<br />
monitoring be implemented.<br />
A draft National Recovery Plan for the Julia Creek dunnart has been prepared by<br />
DERM in conjunction with the Australian Government. This document is a blue print<br />
for best practice management, and recommends the implementation of baiting and<br />
shooting for cats and foxes, which has been successful in national parks. This<br />
practice should be incorporated along with the current Shire Pest and Weed<br />
Management Plan, if it is not already being implemented.<br />
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