The brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) is an iconic yet threatened Australian macropod. Once widespread across southern Queensland’s rocky escarpments, the species has suffered a severe range contraction and now persists in only a small number of isolated colonies. Predation by introduced pests—particularly foxes—remains the greatest threat to its survival, compounded by habitat loss and fragmentation, ...
Wildlife Queensland
Save the brush-tailed rock-wallaby
GOAL
$402,230
Australia > QLD > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Environment conservation and climate change
Target Population
- Flora / fauna
- Not applicable
Wildlife Queensland
Established in 1962, Wildlife Queensland is one of the state’s longest-standing conservation organisations.
Our mission is to advocate, protect and conserve Queensland's terrestrial and marine plants, animals and landscapes by educating and engaging communities, influencing decision-making, advancing solutions, and connecting people with wildlife to see the value, the respect and supporting the conservation of Queensland’s native plants, animals and landscapes.
Over the past six decades, the organisation has led key campaigns for threatened species, habitat protection and wildlife awareness, while collaborating with local branches across the state and mobilising volunteers and supporters.
Your support helps Wildlife Queensland continue this vital work: informing policy, restoring landscapes and ensuring future generations can share in the wonder of Queensland’s wild heritage.
Project Summary
The brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) is an iconic yet threatened Australian macropod. Once widespread across southern Queensland’s rocky escarpments, the species has suffered a severe range contraction and now persists in only a small number of isolated colonies. Predation by introduced pests—particularly foxes—remains the greatest threat to its survival, compounded by habitat loss and fragmentation, extreme bushfire, and competition from feral herbivores such as deer and goats.
In Queensland, key populations occur on the Main Range and at Glen Rock, Mount Barney, Crows Nest, Moogerah Peaks and Flinders Peak. Despite the species’ reliance on ongoing, targeted conservation, coordinated on-ground action had historically been limited.
Wildlife Queensland identified this critical gap and took decisive action. In 2022, the organisation secured Federal Government funding to establish the first coordinated, landscape-scale recovery program for the brush-tailed rock-wallaby in southern Queensland. A second grant in 2024 expanded the program, strengthening its focus on feral predator control, weed management, habitat connectivity analysis, and long-term population monitoring.
This project delivers practical, evidence-based conservation outcomes and represents a genuine opportunity to reverse population declines. Continued investment in targeted predator control, habitat restoration and stakeholder engagement will further reduce key threats and improve the long-term viability of remaining brush-tailed rock-wallaby colonies.
Project Outcomes
Population recovery
Targeted feral predator control will significantly reduce predation pressure on brush-tailed rock-wallaby colonies, improving juvenile survival and enabling more offspring to reach maturity. Over time, this will stabilise existing colonies and place populations on a clear trajectory towards long-term growth and resilience.
Healthier ecosystems
Strategic weed management and habitat restoration will improve the quality and connectivity of rocky escarpment habitats. These actions will enhance food availability, shelter, and movement corridors for brush-tailed rock-wallabies, while also delivering broader benefits for co-occurring native plants and wildlife. By reducing competition from invasive species, the project will help restore ecological balance across priority landscapes.
A scalable model for recovery
This project delivers an integrated, evidence-based approach to threatened species recovery, combining predator control, habitat management, monitoring, and stakeholder collaboration. The program will generate practical insights, data, and tested methodologies that can be readily adapted to other threatened species and landscapes across Queensland and beyond. By investing in this project, funders will support not only the recovery of an iconic species, but a proven conservation model with enduring impact.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $402,230
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding gap | $402,230 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Project Labour | $211,200 |
| Weed Control | $30,000 |
| Project Management | $55,530 |
| WD Field Vehicle | $60,000 |
| Pest Management Consumables | $15,000 |
| Equipment (Thermal Drone Upgrade – Hobby to Commercial Grade | $18,500 |
| raining Courses (Pest Animal Control / Drone RePL / Remote First Aid) | $12,000 |
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