 As of 2008, much of the remaining population was located near Townsville, and there were issues with development encroaching on suitable habitat.the bird is listed as "Endangered" in Queensland, under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, and is ranked as high priority under the Department of Science "Back on Track" species prioritisation framework.Adani Australia produced a management plan for the finch in November 2018, as the proposed Carmichael coal mine covers much of its range, proposing to gradually clear land around the mine and force the finches to move away.