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Environment and Heritage

Ngambaa Nature Reserve feral predator–free area: update February 2023

Ngambaa Nature Reserve feral predator-free area is ready for construction.

 

Planning phase is complete

The planning phase has been completed for this 2,500-hectare feral predator-free area south-west of Macksville, including:

  • an amended plan of management
  • a completed review of environmental factors and published decision statement
  • the completion of extensive baseline ecological surveys.

Baseline ecological surveys established

Over the past 18 months, baseline surveys conducted at 22 monitoring sites have captured information about:

  • plant species
  • underground (or hypogenous) fungi known as 'false truffles'
  • small mammals.

Each monitoring site measures these biodiversity indicators or 'bioindicators' using a standard set of tools and methods such as:

  • traps – Elliot traps, pitfall traps, artificial reptile refugia
  • cameras – ground and arboreal cameras
  • plots – for recording plants, fungi and 'bioturbation'.

Bioturbation is a term that describes the visible tracks and traces of animals or plants reworking (for example, burrowing, ingesting or defecating) soils and sediments.

  • Two people wearing yellow shirts are working in a forested area. One is kneeling and adjusting a camera or device attached to a tree, while the other is squatting nearby, observing. The background consists of trees and foliage.
    Staff setting up a ground camera for baseline surveys in Ngambaa Nature Reserve
    Staff setting up a ground camera for baseline surveys in Ngambaa Nature Reserve
    Image Credit: Scott Filmer/DPE
  • A person wearing a yellow shirt and dark pants is using a hoe to dig in the soil among trees in a forested area. The person appears to be engaged in some form of outdoor work or environmental activity.
    Staff conducting false truffle surveys in Ngambaa Nature Reserve
    Staff conducting false truffle surveys in Ngambaa Nature Reserve.
    Image Credit: Matt Dobson/DPE

New findings

The baseline surveys found 2 small mammals not previously been recorded in the reserve:

  • long-nosed potoroo
  • eastern chestnut mouse.
  • Two long-nosed potoroos standing on the ground. One is larger, likely an adult, and the other is smaller, possibly a juvenile. They have brown fur and are in a natural outdoor setting with some grass and leaves visible in the background.
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus)
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus)
    Image Credit: John Lawson/DPE
  • Long-nosed potoroo caught on ground camera at night on the forest floor.
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) caught on ground camera in Ngambaa Nature Reserve
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) caught on ground camera in Ngambaa Nature Reserve.
    Image Credit: DPE
  • Long-nosed potoroo caught on ground camera at night on the forest floor. He is standing on his hind legs looking into the camera.
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) caught on ground camera in Ngambaa Nature Reserve
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) caught on ground camera in Ngambaa Nature Reserve.
    Image Credit: DPE
  • Close-up of a long-nosed potoroo at night on the forest floor. He is standing on his hind legs.
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) caught on ground camera in Ngambaa Nature Reserve
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) caught on ground camera in Ngambaa Nature Reserve.
    Image Credit: DPE
  • Long-nosed potoroo caught on ground camera at night on the forest floor. He is running into the forest over a patch of leaf litter.
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) caught on ground camera in Ngambaa Nature Reserve
    Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) caught on ground camera in Ngambaa Nature Reserve.
    Image Credit: DPE

Construction is ready to begin

Construction works are expected to take 6 to 8 months to complete. Thirty kilometres of fencing materials, culverts and bridges have been purchased. Construction works include:

  • clearing the fence corridor
  • building the fence
  • installing the bridge and culvert crossings.

Updates on local conditions

Cedar Park picnic area will remain open during this period.

The following roads will be subject to temporary closures over the course of the construction phase:

  • Wittigs Road
  • parts of Stockyard Creek Road
  • Seams Road
  • Jacks Road
  • Buds Crossing Road.

For the latest information on Ngambaa Nature Reserve and other park closures and conditions, go to National Parks and Wildlife Service Local Alerts or call the National Parks and Wildlife Service on 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).

For the latest on road conditions related to this reserve check the Live Traffic NSW website.

Visitor safety will be maintained while construction work takes place. Visitors must follow any on-ground signage directions.

More information

Contact us

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Phone: 1300 072 757

Email: [email protected]