increasingly involved in its conservation management b. Increase the extent, capacity and authority of Indigenous landholders, ranger groups and other community groups in this management the number of Indigenous groups involved in management for this species increases; the capability of Indigenous groups is demonstrably enhanced; Indigenous management knowledge is applied effectively to enhance conservation outcomes. all sites c. Increase awareness of, and concern for, this species amongst landholders and other stakeholders a range of appropriate communication mechanisms result in increased profile for this species amongst relevant communities; conservation outcomes for this species are increasingly reported by relevant agencies and other involved groups. all sites 4. Implementation of this plan is coordinated, adaptive and effective a. Establish and operate effectively a recovery team that represents key stakeholder groups and responsible agencies an effective and representative recovery team (or similar body) is established, and operates effectively to coordinate research, management and monitoring. all b. Implement this recovery plan and report on its effectiveness actions described in this recovery plan are implemented and produce measurable benefit. all sites c. Improve existing management, in light of increased knowledge and increased stakeholder involvement and capability at plan’s review, the extent of success for all actions is measurable, and improvements can be made based on consolidated information base and measurements of performance effectiveness. all sites
Success criteria for this plan The ultimate success criterion of this Plan is the extent to which it meets the explicit objectives defined in section 1 above: 1. The primary driver(s) of decline are clearly resolved, and guidelines applied for their effective management. 2. The overall population trend for this species is stable, or increasing. Both of these targets are measurable, and such measurement provides an appropriate overall gauge of the Plan’s success. Furthermore, progress against every activity described for every subpopulation in Appendix B can be assessed, and the extent to which the activity has been completed, and has been influential can be assessed as part of the overall Plan evaluation. A range of other, less tightly focused, measures may also be considered in an evaluation of the success of this Plan, including: the extent of active involvement in, and increased capacity for, conservation management by Indigenous ranger groups; the extent of collateral benefit for other co-occurring mammal (and other) species; the extent to which pervasive threatening processes (fire, weeds, feral animals) have been more effectively controlled, over specified areas; the extent to which integration and reporting of monitoring results for this species have been included within broader State of the Environment or other environmental trend reporting; the extent to which management actions taken for this species are specifically included in forthcoming Plans of Management for conservation reserves or other lands; the extent to which private industry or non-Government agencies contribute to activities in this Plan; the extent to the community is aware of, and interested in, the conservation of this species. Processes and timeframes for review and assessment of the effectiveness of management actions, and of auditing the effectiveness of this overall plan Annual reporting will describe the resourcing, activity and progress against all identified actions in this Plan, with this reporting serving to re-prioritise or refine actions, if necessary. In the event that a national coordinating facility becomes available to collate and display monitoring information for threatened species, this facility will serve as the central location for monitoring data for this species. Otherwise, the NT Department of Environment and Natural Resources will provide collated monitoring information on its website. A more formal assessment of the effectiveness of the Plan will be undertaken by major stakeholders at the end of Year 5, with external audit at end of Year 10.
low 1.3. undertake more intensive surveys, especially in less accessible areas of eastern Melville Island Bathurst and Melville Island have already been subject to intensive wildlife survey high management: moderate 1.4. enhance existing fire management (reduce incidence of extensive fires) Existing fire regime is not optimal for this species across much of the islands’ area moderate moderate 1.5. enhance control of, and quarantine for, exotic invasive grass species if unmanaged, these will spread and increase fire impacts moderate monitoring: moderate 1.6. establish monitoring program, compatible with previous survey quadrats there is no existing monitoring for this population, but the existing baseline survey information provides a robust foundation high research: moderate 1.7. re-sample quadrats across subsequent clearing and fragmentation gradient, and analyse results recent clearing and development of plantation forestry provides significant opportunity to assess responses to habitat alteration and fragmentation high review process: moderate 1.8. assess need for any cat control If monitoring data show declining trends, or survey data show high abundance of cats moderate-high (ii) North Kimberley Primary objective: 2. The population trend for brush-tailed rabbit-rat is stable then increasing over the period of this Plan Performance measure: a robust monitoring program detects no decline. Feasibility: if the management actions described in this plan are implemented, then this objective should be achievable. Note that a recently established WA DPW annual monitoring program for brush-tailed rabbit-rat and other critical weight range mammal populations will allow assessment of population trends and report on the effectiveness of prescribed fire management and cattle culling initiatives. Secondary objectives:
Feasibility: persistence is uncertain (unlikely); if it persists at this location, then the implementation of the management actions described in this plan should result in the achievement of this objective. Secondary objectives: (3a,b,c) Indigenous landowners are aware of the conservation status and requirements of this species, and are involved in its management Performance measure: increasing trends in Indigenous land owners’ support for and engagement in threatened species’ management. (2f) Translocation proposal to re-establish population if required is prepared and endorsed Performance measure: extent of stakeholder consultation and endorsement of proposal; risk assessment completed; translocation implemented if risk acceptable. B8. Centre Island: Actions theme priority actions Justification feasibility communication: low 8.1. include consideration of implementation of this plan in meetings Indigenous ranger groups; produce articles for local media; ensure collaboration of rangers and school groups in survey and monitoring increased awareness and involvement for landowners and Indigenous range group, but note that these have been substantially involved in recent sampling moderate-high survey: moderate 8.2. survey in sites not recently sampled To assess whether population has persisted (but note several recent such (unsuccessful) samples) moderate management: moderate 8.3. establish or maintain ongoing cat control or quarantine if it is assumed (or demonstrated) that some population persists moderate moderate 8.4. maintain “safe” fire regime (reduce fire intensity, extent and frequency) if it is assumed (or demonstrated) that some population persists moderate monitoring: low 8.5. if population (re-) discovered, establish a monitoring program action contingent on rediscovery low- moderate research: moderate 8.6 options for effective cat control or eradication necessary if re-introduction is to be undertaken (note that such action is currently proposed for nearby West Island) moderate