Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00432:reg:3:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00432
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 11/14)
Character Range: 47506–50421

(Cyperus bulbosus), areas with laterite (concreted, iron-rich rock layers), areas of rock features, and sandplains dominated by spinifex or mulga (Southgate et al. 2007; Paltridge 2016). In the Tanami Desert, bilby occurrence is strongly associated with substrate type (less abundant on dune and sand substrates than on laterite/rock features or drainage/calcrete substrates), and the positively associated with mean annual rainfall and dingo presence (Canus lupis dingo) (Southgate et al. 2007; Paltridge 2016).
The lateritic habitats can support shrub species such as Acacia kempeana, A. hilliana and A. rhodophylla, which have root-dwelling larvae (Southgate et al. 2007; Southgate et al. 2018) that provide a relatively reliable food source for bilbies. These lateritic rises also support patchy spinifex (Triodia spp) hummocks that provide runways between hummocks, potentially enabling easier movement and foraging (Southgate et al. 2007).
In the northern part of its range, bilbies persist in areas of habitat that have higher levels of plant cover and therefore food production. Habitat types in these areas comprise closed coastal tussock grasslands and Acacia bivenosa shrublands, Acacia dominated woodland, shrubland and thickets on pindan sandplain, comprising species such as A. eriopoda, A. monticola, A. stellaticeps and A. tumida. Bilbies may have persisted in the most northern parts of these areas because of fewer foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (Southgate et al. 2007).
In the north of WA, suitable habitat for the bilby includes: woodlands (<10 m) with Eucalyptus and Acacia spp., Pindan woodlands with hummock and tussock grass, on coarse sand to light medium clay; low shrub cover of Acacia spp. over hummock and tussock grasses, on sandy soils, loams and red earth; spinifex grasslands with low shrub cover of Acacia and Melaleuca spp. on sandy and sandy loam soils (Cramer et al. 2016).
Greater Bilby habitat in Queensland is open clayey and stony plains that often have less than 10 % ground cover, with the dominant vegetation being chenopods and grasses (McRae 2004). A survey in western Queensland in 2018 found signs of bilbies in dune fields, a land type that was previously only historically occupied by bilbies in Queensland (Southgate pers. comm. 2019).
Fire, at least in part due to its influence on the type and availability of food resources and exposure to predators, may play a role in improving habitat favourability for bilbies in parts of the Greater Bilby's range. This is demonstrated in areas of the Tanami Desert (Southgate et al. (2007)) where bilby occurrence was associated with the close proximity to recently burnt habitat and areas with high fire heterogeneity.
Photo: Bilby diggings and habitat at Diamantina National Park, Qld © Simon Nally 2018.

3.10           Habitat critical to survival
The habitat, or biophysical environment, of the Greater Bilby varies across its