Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p61
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 61/80)
Character Range: 223606–226559

and restoration costs following any major environmental disturbance event (e.g. severe wildfire).

Targets for haven creation:
Ten-year targets for protection for extremely and highly cat-susceptible species should be set by the Safe Haven Network Working Group (Action 6.1), but interim targets used in this plan (5 to 10 year timeframe), as explained in section 8.3 of the background document, are:
          * Extremely cat-susceptible species should be represented in at least 3 cat-free havens, with an overall population size across havens of at least 2,000, with that population stable or increasing.

          * Highly cat-susceptible species should be represented in at least one cat-free haven, or an area with sustained, very intensive feral cat control, and with an overall population size of at least 2,000 that is stable or increasing.

Current extent of protection gap:

As of May 2024, there are 26 cat-free fenced areas and 120 cat-free islands that are already protecting extremely and highly cat-susceptible native species. However, there remains a protection gap. An analysis of this gap, and the priorities for additional species protection is presented in section 8.3 of the background document.

The immediate priorities for new haven creation are:

    * Complete the eradication of feral cats and effective population control of pet cats underway on Christmas Island.

    * Establish 9 to 11 haven populations for 7 to 8 mammal species (pending outcome of the recent northern bettong translocation, and more information about the island populations of brush-tailed rabbit-rats).

The extremely cat-susceptible mammal species that are priorities for new havens are:

    * Two new havens for the central rock-rat – it is currently only in one recently-created haven and is a priority species in the Threatened Species Action Plan ­2022-2032.

    * One to 2 new havens for the brush-tailed rabbit-rat – it may exist on 2 cat-free islands, but the population sizes are unknown.

    * One new haven for the mala – it has a total population of less than 2,000, although recently introduced populations at Newhaven and Dirk Hartog Island are expected to increase total population.

    * One new haven for the Gilbert's potoroo – it has a total population of much less than 2,000, and is a priority species in the Threatened Species Action Plan­ 2022-2032.

The highly cat-susceptible mammal species that are priorities for at least one haven each are:

    * northern hopping-mouse (a priority species in the Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032­)

    * broad-toothed rat

    * Carpentarian rock-rat

    * northern bettong (but note the Mt Zero-Taravale haven was completed 2023; success to be determined).

There are no other existing fenced areas suitable for these species, but existing cat-free islands may be suitable for 4 species (northern hopping mouse, brush-tailed rabbit-rat, central rock-rat, mala).

Reptiles: