A rare rat is benefiting from a hybrid solar power project in a remote NT town

Aboriginal rangers and an east-coast electricity company are working together to conserve a rare breed of native Australian rat. Read why, and what’s being done.

A mere rodent it may be, but resources and effort is going into preserving remaining populations of the black-footed tree rat still living around Jabiru.

Djurrubu Rangers in the town and power company EDL are teaming up to track and conserve the threatened species which is under pressure to retain its spot in the Top End ecosystem.

A $100,000 contribution from the NT government will assist with the implementation of a conservation zone management plan and monitoring program supported by Parks Australia.

This will include implementation of a conservation zone management plan and monitoring program including feral animal and weed control, fine-scale fire management and fauna surveying.

Senior Djurrubu Ranger Clarrie Nadjamerrek and James Harman from renewable energy company EDL.

Djurrubu Rangers, with support of EDL, have secured a 1000ha ‘offset area’ they hope will become a successful breeding and conservation zone for the rare rat and other native species, threatened by development, fire and native predators including cats.

Senior ranger Clarrie Nadjamerrek’s painting of the black-footed tree rat illustrates its importance to the Mirrar people of Kakadu and West Arnhem Land who have grown increasingly concerned at dwindling numbers in recent years.

“Fire and feral animals have been bad for their numbers and we want to bring them back again,” Mr Nadjamerrek said.

Clarrie Nadjamerrek's depiction of the black-footed tree rat. Jabiru power station August 2023

“I made a painting to show how important it is to always take care of country and what we have here.”

Djurrubu rangers play a crucial role ensuring cultural heritage protection around Jabiru and the black-footed tree rat project is the latest attempt to preserve Kakadu’s ecology and natural history.

Arafura MLA Manuel Brown, Djurrubu Raner Ralph Nadjamerrek and EDL chief executive James Harman. Picture Glenn Campbell.

The thousand hectares is a fire-free zone and 20 cameras have been located at ankle height near feeding stations to film or photograph any appearances of the tree rat.

Brisbane-based EDL executives were at Jabiru this week to inspect conservation efforts and to commemorate 500 operational days for the Jabiru Hybrid Renewable Power Station.

EDL developed the solar-diesel hybrid power station to replace ERA’s diesel generators which will shut down for good when site rehabilitation concludes in coming years.

Jabiru is EDL’s third power station in the Territory since opening its first at Pine Creek in 1989 and the successful model is showing how to secure sustainable, reliable power to the town of about 750 people.

Located between the town dump and sewerage plant about 3km from the township, enormous effort was taken during the power station construction to cause minimum disruption to habitats.

A black-footed tree rat in happier times: Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Individual habitat trees were preserved and rangers did their best to clear animals from the site and then took care to clear the land without destroying its integrity.

EDL chief executive James Harmon said the land conservation efforts complement the sustainability first approach to energy generation.

“Up until 500 days ago, Jabiru was powered by a diesel-fired power station at Ranger uranium mine,” Mr Harmon said.

“We’re now operating this hybrid renewable power station that delivers solar power to the residents of Jabiru the majority of the time.

“To be able to do it in such a remote area integrating solar, battery and some diesel back-up for when the sun’s not shining in the middle of the night, it’s working really well.”

Member for Arafura Manuel Brown congratulated EDL for its contribution to Jabiru since ERA ceased mining in 2021.

“It’s investment like this which is helping to transform a mining town into a tourism town,” he said.