3.5.1.3 Northern quoll – likely to occur
The northern quoll ( Dasyurus hallucatus ) is listed as endangered under the EPBC and least concern under the NC Act. The northern quoll was formerly widespread across northern Australia; however, its range has contracted significantly over the past century, with populations largely disappearing from lowland areas and the semi-arid margins of its historical distribution (Braithwaite and Griffiths, 1994). This decline is primarily attributed to poisoning from cane toad ( Rhinella marina ) ingestion, habitat degradation associated with agricultural activities, and predation and competition from introduced carnivores (Hill and Ward, 2010). In Queensland, extant populations are now predominantly restricted to rocky upland areas that offer some refuge from cane toad invasion and are less impacted by agricultural development (TSSC, 2005). In Queensland, the species is currently known from Weipa on Cape York to Gracemere and Mt Morgan south of Rockhampton and west to Carnarvon Range National Park (McGoldrick 2013; Woinarski et al. 2008; cited in DCCEEW, 2025a). The northern quoll is known from the Mt Morgan region, with the nearest historical record (from 2000), located 7 km northeast of the project area (DETSI, 2026), two records (from 1992 and 1997) from 13 km north-east and another record (from 2018), located 15 km northwest of the project area (DETSI, 2026). The northern quoll is a wide-ranging species that forages up to several kilometres at night and capable of substantially larger movements during the breeding season (Cowan et al 2022). The nearest historical record is within the movement capabilities of the species and would be considered part of a local northern quoll population.
Plate 3-10
Historical northern records (orange dots) relative to the project area (green dot) from Atlas of Living Australia
The northern quoll occupies a diverse array of habitats and exhibits opportunistic foraging behaviour, consuming a wide range of prey items (Hill and Ward 2010). Denning sites are also varied, including rocky outcrops, hollow logs, termite mounds, goanna burrows, and anthropogenic structures (Dixon and Huxley, 1985; Braithwaite, 1990; Oakwood, 2002). Despite its broad habitat tolerance, two habitat types (rocky uplands and offshore islands) are considered critical to the species' survival, as these areas offer refuge from major threats and are likely to support the species into the future (Hill and Ward, 2010). Suitable foraging habitat for the northern quoll (Plate 3-11) was observed within the project area, coinciding with three RE types (REs 11.10.2, 11.10.4 and 11.12.6). Dispersal habitat is also present across the entire project area
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