This project in the NSW Mid North Coast hinterland is focused on monitoring and habitat restoration to support:
- the recovery and resilience of the critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle
- surrounding threatened ecological communities (TECs) including the Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia.
Project background
The Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is a focus species in the North Coast region.
In 2015, a virus wiped out around 90% of this critically endangered turtle population in just 6 weeks.
The Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia is a nationally listed, critically endangered rainforest community. Today, it is only found in fragmented patches across New South Wales and Queensland.
Bellinger River snapping turtle facts:
- Scientific name: Myuchelys georgesi.
- Threat level: critically endangered.
- Features and habitat: this short-necked freshwater turtle prefers medium to deep pools.
- Known locations: endemic to the Bellinger catchment.
Project objectives
This project will focus on addressing information gaps and threats to the snapping turtle recovery effort.
By the end of the project in June 2028, we expect to have:
- improved understanding about the Bellinger River snapping turtle
- improved the condition of Threatened Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia in areas along the Bellinger River.
Project delivery
Work includes:
- supporting the Saving Our Species Bellinger River snapping turtle recovery effort
- continued support of the NSW DCCEEW’s Bellinger River Health Program, including biannual water quality and macro-invertebrate surveys to monitor potential threats and community engagement to support protecting turtle habitat
- on-ground habitat restoration works
- capacity-building for landholders to reduce threats to the turtle habitat by increasing knowledge and skills in weed management.
Project timeline
2024:
- identification and prioritisation of work sites in partnership with Bellinger Landcare Incorporated and NSW DCCEEW
- cultural heritage site assessments in partnership with Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation
- work activity planning.
2025–28:
- establish land management agreements with landholders
- start threatened ecological communities restoration works
- education workshops for community members in threatened ecological communities restoration
- weed control works
- fencing works
- project close (30 June 2028) and outcomes reporting.
Annual (2024 to 2028):
- water quality surveys with NSW DCCEEW’s Estuaries and Catchments division.
Quarterly (2024 to 2028):
- Bellinger River Snapping Turtle radio tracking with NSW DCCEEW Biodiversity and Conservation Science north-east NSW division.
Project updates
Water Quality Monitoring
- The NHT project continues to support the NSW DCCEEW’s Bellinger River Health Program
- To date, the project has provided funding for 2 water quality and macro-invertebrate surveys.
- The data collected assists with tracking the health of the river, identify long-term trends, assess disease risks, and guide management actions to support the recovery of the critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle.
- Surveys monitor potential threats and community engagement to support protecting turtle habitat.
- The project provided technical support for the long-running citizen science MacroMuster events hosted by OzGreen. These events bring together scientists and volunteers to sample and identify waterbugs from established monitoring sites, contributing valuable data to the bi-annual water quality monitoring surveys.
Fauna Survey
- Continued support of Bellinger River snapping turtle radio tracking with NSW DCCEEW Biodiversity and Conservation Science North-East NSW division.
- 2 fauna surveys completed, including regular monitoring and health checks of transmitter turtles, which will enable the early detection of any disease outbreaks.
- Radio tracking of more than 30 individual turtles.
- More than 480 personnel hours of disease surveillance.
Threatened Ecological Community Sites (Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia Weed Control Sites)
- Subcontract signed between North Coast LLS and Bellinger Landcare Inc.
- Cultural Health Checks have been undertaken at 8 properties by Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation to ensure planned weed control activities do not impact Aboriginal cultural heritage and culturally significant sites. The outcomes of these assessments have provided guidance to weed control management zones and proposed activities.
- Restoration works have begun for threatened ecological communities, including weed control work.
- More than 17 ha initial weed control work completed across 10 project sites.
- 700 m of stock exclusion fencing installed to protect riparian zone.
- Planning for community engagement event.
- Through collaboration with Bellinger Landcare, more than 17 ha of initial weed control was completed across 10 project sites and 700 m of stock exclusion fencing was installed. This on-ground work is contributing to the restoration and conservation of the Lowland Rainforest Threatened Ecological Community.
- The project supported NSW DCCEEW’s Bellinger River Health Program autumn water quality and macro-invertebrate survey, and MacroMuster citizen science event. The data collected assists with tracking the health of the river, identifying long-term trends, assessing disease risks and guiding management actions to support the recovery of the critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle.
In partnership with Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation, cultural heritage site assessments were completed at 8 project sites to ensure that planned weed control activities do not impact Aboriginal cultural heritage and culturally significant sites. The outcomes of these assessments have guided weed control management zones and proposed activities.
Brian Hawkins, NSW DCCEEW
The project supported NSW DCCEEW’s Bellinger River Health Program spring water quality and macro-invertebrate survey, and MacroMuster citizen science event.
Nakia Belmer, NSW DCCEEW
How to get involved
Find out how to support TEC habitat restoration and water quality monitoring by following North Coast channels below.
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Funding and partnerships
Key delivery partners working alongside Local Land Services are:
- NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) Biodiversity and Conservation Science north-east NSW division
- NSW DCCEEW’s Estuaries and Catchments division
- Bellinger Landcare Incorporated
- Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation
- private landholders.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by North Coast Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. All outcomes for this project are recorded in MERIT.
Enquiries direct to the Bellinger River snapping turtle project team can be made by emailing
admin.northcoast@lls.nsw.gov.au or phoning 1300 795 299.
Contact Local Land Services NSW
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