Doubling the
Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby
in Southern Queensland
Back to BTRW Conservation Network
© Paul Revie
About this project
In May 2024, Wildlife Queensland’s Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Conservation Network received grant funding from the Australian Government Saving Native Species Program to improve the population trajectory of the vulnerable brush-tailed rock-wallaby throughout the northern part of the species’ range.
This project builds on existing work conducted as part of the Environment Restoration Fund Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan — Priority Species Grants.
The brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) has undergone substantial population declines due to habitat loss and modification, invasive species, climate change — and the interaction of these threats. Throughout most of its range, the species now occurs as isolated populations, sometimes as small as a handful of individuals, which are extremely susceptible to localised extinction through natural disasters or other processes.
The species was severely impacted by the bushfires of 2019/20, with as much as 80 per cent of its habitat in New South Wales burnt. Populations in Queensland, particularly around Main Range, Mount Barney and Crows Nest, were also impacted.
This project aims to:
- prevent predation by foxes through intensive control programs around colonies
- enhance habitat connectivity between colonies
- implement an appropriate fire management strategy that supports the species’ persistence through planned burns and wildfires
- manage populations through strategic surveys to assess population size and viability, identifying important subpopulations and colonies that are isolated and need management support to restore connectivity.
© Paul Revie
Brush-tailed rock-wallaby at Carneys Creek in the Scenic Rim Region.
© Paul Revie
Brush-tailed rock-wallabies at Perseverance Dam in Crows Nest, Toowoomba Region.
Project activities
Project activities include:
- conducting fox control (baiting) around a minimum of five important brush-tailed rock-wallaby populations
- conducting pre- and post-control rock-wallaby and pest animal monitoring
- undertaking surveys of potential rock-wallaby habitat to identify additional populations within southern Queensland
- conducting connectivity analysis on known brush-tailed rock-wallaby populations to identify isolated colonies which are at a high risk of extinction, and which would benefit from connectivity enhancement
- hosting two cultural/ecological burning workshops in brush-tailed rock-wallaby population areas, to engage and teach private landholders about the biodiversity benefits of appropriate prescribed fire regimes.
Activities will be undertaken on private properties and local government conservation reserves.
On-ground works will be undertaken in, and adjacent to, all six important Queensland populations of the species, including the:
- Moogerah Peaks National Park population
- Main Range National Park population
- Mount Barney National Park population
- Crows Nest National Park population
- Flinders Peak Conservation Park population
- Glen Rock population.
Ongoing conservation efforts that tackle pest animal threats and population connectivity are so important for this species.
We’re thrilled that these funds will help us secure brush-tailed rock-wallaby populations in the northern part of their range and prevent further range contraction.
Partners & sponsors
- Queensland Department of Environment and Science Threatened Species Operations
- Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships
- Healthy Land and Water
- Ipswich City Council
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Logan City Council
-
Scenic Rim Regional Council
This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Saving Native Species Program.
