Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270:body:0:p64
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00270
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 176348–179524

robustly across a range of reservation and management options, and across a range of plausible future disturbance episodes. This modelling is then linked to distributional modelling to identify reservation and management scenarios that provide an acceptably low risk of extinction (less than 1% probability) over a 100-year period (Action 2.1).
                          * The reserve system is expanded consistent with distribution and population viability models, and land-use planning, to a level that provides confidence that long-term risks of extinction are acceptably low (Action 2.2 and Action 2.3).
                          * A long-term strategic fire management plan for the Central Highlands is developed or refined that identifies key risks, key biodiversity assets for protection, effective management to reduce likelihood of extensive high intensity fire and effective responses to asset protection during high intensity fire (Action 2.4).
                          * A suite of priority responses is developed that will provide for rapid, strategic and targeted responses following bushfire (Action 2.5).
                          * Based on evidence from research (1) the effectiveness of habitat augmentation measures is assessed, (2) sites are identified where augmentation can contribute most significantly to the long-term persistence of Leadbeater's possum, and (3) a long-term strategic program of habitat augmentation is implemented, such that this contributes most effectively to persistence (Action 2.6).
By end of 5th year        * Active restoration and related activities provide the basis for long-term increase in the extent of suitable habitat for Leadbeater's possum at Yellingbo and similar nearby areas (Action 2.8).
By end of 10th year       * Enhanced reservation and effective management of adequate areas of unreserved habitat provides an acceptably low risk of extinction (for example, less than 1% probability) over a 100-year period (Multiple actions).

Objective 3
A range of ex-situ conservation strategies to support within range recovery are assessed, and where deemed there is a net long-term benefit (such as, likelihood of increase in overall population viability), implemented and evaluated.

Rationale
The distribution of Leadbeater's possum is fragmented, and probably increasingly so. Some small and isolated subpopulations are likely to have especially high probabilities of local extinction. The frequency of effective natural dispersal of individuals of this species over distances of more than 5 km is unknown. In addition, because of past events, some currently suitable habitat may now be unoccupied, or areas will become suitable in the near future (for example, parts of the area burnt in the 2009 fires). Strategic translocations within the known range may decrease population fragmentation, and increase subpopulation viability and occupancy of suitable habitat. It is prudent to carefully trial any such translocations early in the plan, given the possibility of even more urgent need for such actions in the future following catastrophic bushfire, and as the population size declines and becomes increasingly