Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat A matter of national environmental significance Listed as Vulnerable under EPBC Act on 4 April 2001 -Rhinonicteris aurantia (Pilbara form) The species met three criteria for listing: Criterion 1: It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone, or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a substantial reduction in numbers; Criterion 2: Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is limited; and Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is limited and the number is likely to continue to decline. Its geographic distribution is: precarious for its survival. Controlling Provision – Threatened Species and Ecological Communities

Significant Impacts A person who proposes to take an action that will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance must refer that action to the minister for a decision on whether assessment and approval is required under the EPBC Act. The species is a key consideration in the majority of EPBC project assessments (Part 7 – 9) and two strategic assessments (Part 10) in the Pilbara Bioregion.

Our Primary Goal – Avoid Significant Impacts EPBC Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 Provides high level guidance to proponents on whether an action is likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance. A Vulnerable species - what is protected? Important populations (populations necessary for the species’ long term survival) Habitat critical to survival Breeding cycle Significant impact if action results, or is likely to: lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of a species reduce the area of occupancy of an important population fragment an existing important population into two or more populations adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population modify, destroy, remove or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline result in invasive species that are harmful to a vulnerable species becoming established in the vulnerable species’ habitat introduce disease that may cause the species to decline, or interfere substantially with the recovery of the species. What is an important population of a species? An ‘important population’ is a population that is necessary for a species’ long-term survival and recovery. This may include populations identified as such in recovery plans, and/or that are: • key source populations either for breeding or dispersal • populations that are necessary for maintaining genetic diversity, and/or • populations that are near the limit of the species range.

EPBC Decision Making Broad management themes defined by: Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat Conservation advice Action Plan for Australian Bats Australian handbook for the conservation of bats in mines and artificial cave-bat habitats Survey guidelines – efficient and effective survey of bats No Recovery Plan is currently in place for the Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat

EPBC Decision Making Broad management themes: Protection of remaining habitat including roost, foraging and watering habitat Incorporating conservation measures into ongoing mining operations Addressing cumulative impacts across its range Developing a regional strategy to ensure its protection Strategic assessment

EPBC Conservation Advice Key threat - loss of remaining roost sites. Priority recovery and threat abatement actions identified at the time of listing include: protect known roost sites within the eastern Pilbara region to ensure mines remain suitable for roosting; Protect two remaining natural roost sites in the Gascoyne region; and incorporate conservation measures into relevant Park Management Plans. Longer term management issues may include - suitable conservation reserves, incorporating conservation measures into ongoing mining operations, and establishing additional natural roost sites.

Action Plan for Australian Bats - 1999 Recovery objectives, management and research actions are outlined with the primary recovery objectives being: Protect known Pilbara colonies and/or translocate them if necessary Ascertain if colonies in natural roosts in the Barlee Range Nature Reserve are declining Locate and protect natural breeding roost sites in the Pilbara region Armstrong (pers. comm. 2007) suggests several new strategies given the current state of knowledge of this species. These focus on: Completing population genetic work Developing a regional plan that addresses both short term threats and long term preservation Effective and consistent surveying and monitoring programs Effectively managing drilling programs New Recommendations Armstrong (pers. comm. 2007) suggests several new strategies to replace those in McKenzie and colleagues (1999) given the current state of knowledge of this species. Complete genetic comparisons between Pilbara and Kimberley populations to provide resolution of subspecific population status. Complete population genetic work in the region to determine degree of substructuring, rates of migration between subpopulations, and levels of heterozygosity and inbreeding. Develop a regional plan that addresses both short term threats and long term preservation. Key components should include: Prioritise mine roost importance considering all identified threats and mining interests; Liaison with leaseholders in the district to avoid concurrent impacts; Consideration of a reserve system for the species, and others such as the Ghost Bat, which occupies many of the same sites. This would involve acquisition of vesting over suitable sites; Refurbish mines that will be set aside for bat habitat, where feasible. The type of refurbishment will be dependent on site characteristics but could involve ground stabilisation with culverts or other equipment, control of flooding, or construction of a suitably-shaped side passage within a larger flooded structure. Consideration of the construction of replacement roosts if mining industry liaisons reveal an insufficient number are likely to be left for habitation following mining. Rather than simply excavating new tunnels, novel, lower budget strategies could be considered, such as building specially designed culvert/concrete bunkers or tunnels, perhaps partly associated with mine voids that would later fill with water. Designs could incorporate strategies to avoid safety issues, and be installed as part of rehabilitation responsibilities and commitments. If designs are relatively simple and cheap, they could be installed as standard, or in other sites with mine voids as environmental offsets. Ensure that any translocation or exclusion programs are conducted scientifically following careful consideration of alternate sites, and avoidance of concurrent impacts in the district. Maintaining area of occupancy should take precedence over simple population augmentation at an existing colony. Consider the Ghost Bat simultaneously in all strategies concerning the Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat, to simplify strategies and reduce costs. Ensure that surveys and regular monitoring programs conducted by environmental consultants and others follow a standard recommended protocol for avoiding disturbance to the species, and providing unambiguous confirmation that bats observed near a cave or mine entrance are actually roosting within. Locate natural roost sites in areas where bats have been observed or recorded in flight, following the standard protocol above. Protect them from disturbance with suitably sized buffer zones and controlled access to the area. Ensure drilling programs conducted in close proximity will not intersect bat habitat and are monitored. The degree of monitoring and the approach for management of the site during drilling should be designed according to the characteristics of the program.

Survey Guidelines Provides management guidelines for cave-dwelling Australian handbook for the conservation of bats in mines and artificial cave-bat habitats Provides management guidelines for cave-dwelling species that may inhabit disused mine sites Survey Guidelines The Australian Museum Business Services (AMBS 2004a) previously prepared guidelines for efficient and effective survey of bats.