Habitat Restoration for Endangered Species
Habitat Restoration for Endangered Species, a project funded by the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), 2025-2027.
The goal of this project is to enhance long-term survival prospects for two species at risk within the Pullen Pullen Catchments area: the platypus (which has declining numbers in several areas and is classified as Near Threatened) and the Collared Delma (found primarily in southeast Queensland and classified as Vulnerable). Activities will include habitat enhancement and measurements to record species sightings in four of PPCG’s bushcare areas: Airlie Road Park, Pullenvale Forest Park, Woodward Place Park and Anstead Bushland Reserve. A subsidiary aim is to educate the public about the intrinsic value of caring for the local environment and the survival of a diverse range of species.
Activities in Anstead Bushland Reserve (ABR) under the Habitat Restoration for Endangered Species project include restoration of habitat for, and surveys to record the presence of, the vulnerable Collared Delma (a small legless lizard that has been recorded over a sustained period in the Reserve).
Environmental Management Unit (EMU) contractors have been hired to remove lantana and other weeds such as Singapore daisy from areas within the Reserve that are otherwise suitable Collared Delma habitat. Figure 1 shows one of the areas where significant advances have been made in reducing lantana coverage.
Figure 1: Before and after weed management in an area of potential Collared Delma habitat, Anstead Bushland Reserve, February 2026
Area along the main walking trail: before lantana and other weed removal
The same area after lantana and other weed removal
A further component of the project in ABR was a fauna survey conducted in January 2026. This involved active searches for Collared Delma as well as the use of Elliott traps to assess the presence of small mammals that often share such habitat and to assist with identification of images captured by wildlife cameras. The survey was conducted by Dogwood Ecology from 5-9 January 2026: it confirmed the ongoing presence of Collared Delma with the finding of an intact slough under a rock in the area and captured two antechinus (brown and yellow-footed). Figure 2 presents images from the survey; for further details see Dogwood Ecology’s Report.
Figure 2: Fauna survey findings, Anstead Bushland Reserve, January 2026
Brown Antechinus
Collared delma slough