The proposed Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme will directly and indirectly impact habitat that is critical to Eungella’s threatened species protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act), and the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld NC Act).
Eungella is known for its lush rainforests, beautiful rivers, and diverse wildlife and is home to many rare and endemic animal and plant species, some of which are threatened to near extinction. Eungella National Park has over 1,417 recorded species, including those listed as threatened under the EPBC Act being 1 Extinct, 4 Endangered, and 10 Vulnerable, together with those listed as threatened under the Qld NC Act being 3 Critically Endangered, 8 Endangered, 16 Vulnerable, and 6 Near Threatened.
Endangered and threatened animal species in Eungella
Eungella Day Frog (Taudactylus Eungellensis)
This frog species is endemic to the Eungella range and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is threatened by habitat loss, disease, and climate change.
Eungella Gastric Brooding Frog (Rheobatrachus Vitellinus)
This frog species was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in the 1980s. It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN and is threatened by habitat loss, disease, and predation.
Eungella Tinker Frog (Taudactylus Diurnus)
This frog species is also endemic to Eungella and is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. It is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Northern Quoll (Dasyurus Hallucatus)
This small carnivorous marsupial is listed as endangered by the IUCN. It is threatened by habitat loss, predation, and disease.
Central Greater Glider (Petauroides Volans)
This arboreal marsupial is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. It is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Orange-speckled Forest-Skink (Saproscincus Saltus)
This lizard species is endemic to Eungella and is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. It is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Eungella Leaf-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus Ossa)
This lizard species is also endemic to Eungella and is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. It is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Eungella Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus Eungella)
This crayfish species is endemic to Eungella and is listed as vulnerable by the Queensland Government. It is threatened by habitat loss, water pollution, and overfishing.
Slugs and snails found in Eungella
Several species of land snails and slugs are found in Eungella, some of which are threatened to extinction. These include the Eungella Granular Slugs, Eungella Gastrocopta Snails, and Eungella Clausiliid Snails.
Endangered and threatened plant species in Eungella
Eungella Stink Bush (Croton Eungellensis)
This shrub species is endemic to Eungella and is listed as endangered by the Queensland Government. It is threatened by habitat loss and fire.
Prostanthera Eungella (Prostanthera Eungellensis)
This shrub species is also endemic to Eungella and is listed as endangered by the Queensland Government. It is threatened by habitat loss and fire.
Eungella Coleus (Plectranthus Eungellensis)
This herbaceous plant species is endemic to Eungella and is listed as endangered by the Queensland Government. It is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Red Eungella Satinash (Syzygium Eucalyptoides)
This tree species is endemic to Eungella and is listed as vulnerable by the Queensland Government. It is threatened by habitat loss, fire, and disease.
Eungella Hairy Daisy (Olearia Myrsinoides)
This herbaceous plant species is endemic to Eungella and is listed as vulnerable by the Queensland Government. It is threatened by habitat loss and fire.
Dryopteris Sparsa
This fern species is endemic to Eungella and is listed as vulnerable by the Queensland Government. It is threatened by habitat loss and disturbance.
It's clear that Eungella and the surrounding areas are home to a diverse range of rare, endangered, vulnerable, threatened, near threatened, and unique animal and plant species. That is why the conservation of the land and habitat is vital for the protection of these species and essential for maintaining the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the area. Efforts are being made to protect and conserve these species, including habitat restoration, predator control, and public education. However, the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project will undo conservation efforts and will almost certainly have an overwhelmingly negative impact on the habitat and survival of these rare, unique and endangered plants and animals.
References
"Potential Impacts of the Pioneer-Burdekin Hydro Scheme on Eungella’s Threatened Species" by Eungella Wildlife Preservation Society (EWPS) (2019)
"Assessment of impacts of pumped hydro energy storage facilities on endangered species in Queensland" by Queensland Department of Environment and Science (2018)
"Environmental Impact Statement for the Pioneer Hydro Scheme" by Powerlink Queensland (2017)
"Effects of hydropower development on biodiversity: A review" by Ficetola et al. (2019)
"Hydropower development and conservation in the Amazon and Congo Basins" by Zipper and Kormos (2018)
EPBC Act list of threatened species
Qld NC Act list of threatened species https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/threatened-species/endangered/index.html
"Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme: Impact on Eungella's threatened species" by the Mackay Conservation Group. Available at https://www.mackayconservationgroup.org.au
"Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999" by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Available at https://www.environment.gov.au/epbc
"Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992" by the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science. Available at https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au
"Threatened species and ecological communities" by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Available at https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened
"Eungella National Park Management Plan 2020" by the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science. Available at https://parks.des.qld.gov.au