Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p69
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 69/80)
Character Range: 255300–259154

and consequent reduced activity of some native animal species (including threatened species). Based on these observations, there have been some proposals to reintroduce devils to selected sites on the Australian mainland, noting that devils were widespread on the mainland up to about 4,000 years ago. Such proposals are contentious, as the devils themselves may exert predation pressure on native wildlife species and on some livestock. As such, this plan's consideration of devil – cat interactions is focused on research, including to evaluate if / how devil management in Tasmania affects cat impacts and any potential benefits for threatened species and aiding ecosystem resilience.

Manage fire and grazing to increase/maximise the structural diversity of the ground habitat

It is likely that managing fire and grazing to maximise vegetation cover near the ground will benefit many native species, in habitats where fire or grazing is common, and where alternative structural refuges (e.g. rugged rocky areas) do not exist. Ground layer complexity has been shown to moderate feral cat impacts in the tropical savannas of northern Australia, and to some extent in temperate southeastern Australia. The same effect is inferred in forest and desert environments. The increased impacts arise from a combination of higher cat density and higher hunting efficiency.

This objective closely aligns with, and contributes to a target in the Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032:

     Target 9: Feral cats and foxes are managed in all priority places where they are a key threat to condition, using the most appropriate methods for the location.

      Figure 6 Objective 8: Reduce predation burden across all species

Diagram showing the relationships between the core actions of Objective 8 (Ob8) and actions from the cross-cutting objectives (Ob1-3) that lead to achieving the outcome under Objective 8 (Ob8). Note: actions from cross-cutting objectives comprise those that directly underpin the actions and outcomes of Objective 8, and those that provide overarching support.

     Performance Criteria

      Table 16 Objective 8. Performance Criteria

Objective 8. Performance criteria                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Evaluate progress
REDUCE CAT IMPACTS – Large areas (large property to regional scale) are managed holistically to reduce cat predation impacts, and restore ecological function.
Monitoring programs are designed and implemented to assess conservation outcomes at priority sites for holistic management (identified in Action 2.5).                                                                                                                                                                                                       2029 and 2034
Populations of native species that are preyed upon by cats increase in abundance at priority sites, as a result of improved holistic management practices. Note that, in some cases, progress towards this performance criterion may be influenced by the extent of complementary control of other threats that may also be affecting those native species.  2034
Rabbit populations continue to be suppressed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2029 and 2034
SUPPORT MANAGEMENT – Benefits of ecological management of cats broadly understood, and