Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01713:body:0:p35
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01713
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 166442–169379

(Ball et al. 2004; 2013; Kaluza & Bolzenius 2015), and to narrowing of the intertidal mangrove and saltmarsh zone (Kaluza 2013). In the Mackay region, an increase in common point stormwater discharge from urban development resulted in a significant decline in sesarmid crab abundance (Ball 2013), which appears to be the primary water mouse prey item in the region (Ball 2004).
    * Loss and damage to critical shelters and habitat from increased levels of wave wash from vessels, and damage to free-standing mound shelters, saltmarsh cover and mangrove habitat by motor vehicles including recreational dirt bikes, four-wheel drives, and quad bikes (Burnham 2000; Kaluza 2013; 2016d; 2019; Pioneer Catchment Landcare 2020; Kaluza 2021 pers. comm.). Regular disturbance from other recreational activities may also increase the risk of structural damage to shelters and habitats through trampling (Burnham 2000; Kaluza 2019).
    * Potential loss and degradation of freshwater wetland habitat due to excessive groundwater extraction or disturbance of natural hydrological regimes (Gynther 2011; Van Dyck & Gynther 2012).
    * Alteration of natural tidal regimes due to the construction of bund walls and runnels, installation of tidal flow gates to convert intertidal areas to dry land for coastal development (Gynther 2022 pers. comm.), and dredging. Deepening of the Mourilyan Harbour channel in 1993 resulted in the abandonment of water mouse mounds at Inarlinga due to a significant change in the tidal lens (WMRG 2022).
    * Artificial light may reduce nocturnal foraging activity, increase anxiety, and increase predation risk for this nocturnal rodent (Beier 2006; Bedrosian et al. 2013; Zhang et al. 2020).
    * Potential increase in predation pressure from stray and/or domestic cats and European red fox in areas adjacent to urban developments (Kaluza 2021 pers. comm.; see Stobo-Wilson et al. 2022).
    * Potential increase in competition for shelter sites by the larger black rat (Rattus rattus) in mangroves adjacent to urban developments (Stokes et al. 2009; Banks & Hughes 2012; Banks & Smith 2015).
Central and southern Queensland coast
The impacts of coastal development on the water mouse are most acute and ongoing in southeast Queensland and in the Mackay region where historic and current human population growth exerts significant pressure to expand and intensify the urban footprint (CITES 2019; ABS 2021). The Gladstone region is also an area of concern due to the concentration and anticipated expansion of the seaport and industrial infrastructure and activities (TMR 2018).
The water mouse has declined at Coomera Waters on the Gold Coast (Van Dyck et al. 2006) and there are no water mouse records from potential habitat within the highly urbanised Brisbane City local government area (LGA), despite adjacent and nearby LGAs – Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Redland City, Gold Coast – supporting populations.