Assessing the risk of forest fragmentation from the Narrabri Gas Project

September 24th, 2025

Using remote sensing and threatened species surveys to better understand the risks of forest fragmentation from coal seam gas activities in the Pilliga Forest, NSW

This fact sheet describes a CSIRO research project which characterises the level of fragmentation in the Narrabri Gas Project (NGP) area and examines whether fragmentation resulting from the NGP will impact biodiversity, including threatened animals, plants and mycorrhizal communities.

There were several key findings that will support better understanding of potential environmental impacts from the NGP:

  • The assessed area has relatively low levels of fragmentation and high connectivity, with no clear evidence that targeted species are currently impacted by fragmentation.
  • A severe decline in common ringtail and brushtail possums has been observed, likely due to habitat loss, predation, and competition from invasive herbivores.
  • Large-scale wildfires are a major concern for biodiversity persistence, contributing to a young overstorey and dense understorey with limited mature trees.
  • The research provided new insights into the biodiversity of the region, including the first recorded ectomycorrhizal association in an Australian Euphorbiaceae species.

The study underscores the importance of managing key threats, including invasive species, habitat loss, and fire regimes, to maintain the ecological integrity of the Pilliga Forest.

There should be a focus on ensuring that these threats are not exacerbated by activities associated with the development of the NGP. In particular, researchers conclude that the cumulative impact of extensive wildfires and the status of arboreal marsupials within the Pilliga Forest should be topics for further research.