Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270:body:0:p30
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 81844–84930

of nest boxes increases this risk.
Trials are currently underway to investigate if artificial hollows can be excavated in younger trees to simulate natural hollows used by Leadbeater's possum (LPAG 2014b). Initial results have been encouraging with 62% of the 132 constructed hollows used by Leadbeater's possums, with approximately 43% in use at any one point in time (ARI unpublished data). The uptake of some hollows was rapid, particularly where there was a shortage of natural hollows, with some hollows used within three months of excavation (DELWP 2016). Refinements to the design have been made to reduce the propensity of the tree to heal over the entrance. Further monitoring is required to investigate longer term patterns of use, maintenance requirements and to assess cost-effectiveness of any application to broader scale management programs.
Small-scale thinning, where the density of stems is reduced around focal trees to facilitate increased growth of the focal tree, has also been suggested as a method to accelerate hollow development. This approach is currently being trialled, with experimental stands showing increased growth rates, with the aim of developing forest management strategies at the stand and landscape scale to accelerate the development of key habitat features for Leadbeater's possum over the longer term (P. Baker, pers. comm.). While thinning may promote accelerated rates of tree growth, the impacts on vegetation structure are also an important consideration.
In some areas, habitat manipulations may be warranted to regenerate eucalypts or midstorey, including wattle or tea tree, to increase food availability in areas where nesting resources are available but foraging habitat is lacking. Such manipulation may facilitate recolonisation of currently unoccupied areas once the midstorey has regenerated sufficiently.

3.4.9             Habitat critical to survival
This species is endemic to Victoria, where it occurs almost entirely on Crown land. Given the current Critically Endangered status of Leadbeater's possum, and its predicted severe ongoing decline, including significant risks of extinction, all current and prospective suitable habitat is critical for its survival, and necessary for its recovery.
Specifically, habitat critical to the survival of Leadbeater's possum comprises four zones: (1) the Baw Baw and Toorongo plateaus (including their slopes), (2) Paradise Plains near Marysville, (3) Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area, and (4) the combined Snobs Creek/Mt Bullfight/Rubicon areas. Areas surrounding these zones provide for potential range extension (through recovery or translocation). Fire impacts on populations and habitat and the pattern of post-fire recolonisation mean that there are likely to be additional parts of the species' range supporting significant local populations. Habitat critical to the survival of the species should not be destroyed or modified and be appropriately managed to support long-term recovery of the species. Actions that have indirect impacts on habitat critical to survival should