Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00160:reg:2008:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00160
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2008 (pt 8/19)
Character Range: 22997–26616

by competition and land degradation from unmanaged goats. All these actions are of high or very high priority.

Broadscale control of unmanaged goats in Australia is not feasible using the methods currently available. Therefore, it is necessary to identify priority areas for control based on scientific evidence of the significance of the population of native species or the ecological community affected and the degree of impact posed by unmanaged goats relative to other impacts. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of a control program and the feasibility of effective remedial action must be considered. These activities are covered by Action 2.1. Identification of priority areas can involve mapping the distribution of susceptible species, high-risk habitats and unmanaged goats to produce a national overview of priority regions (e.g. using the approach outlined in Dickman [1996] and NSW NPWS [2003]).

Once priority areas for investment have been identified, the next step is to implement regional control programs, as described in Action 2.2. Organisations implementing control programs will be encouraged to focus on areas where the control of unmanaged goats will help to reduce the threat to native species. The success of control programs should be monitored, applying national monitoring protocols (see Action 3.1) as soon as they are available.

It is important to promote goat control in priority areas and in adjacent areas, to prevent reinvasion. Action 2.3 focuses on applying new and existing incentives for such actions on private and leasehold lands.

Performance indicators

   Priority areas, where goat control is required to protect important affected flora and fauna, have been identified and are a focus for unmanaged goat control programs.
   The effectiveness of programs to control unmanaged goats is measured through pre and post-control monitoring of unmanaged goat populations and of key native species.

Action                                                                                                                                                                       Priority and timeframe

2.1 Identify priority areas to control unmanaged goats based on:                                                                                                             Very high priority, short term

• the significance of the population of the affected native species or of the ecological community

• the degree of threat posed by unmanaged goats to species and ecological communities relative to other threats

• the cost-effectiveness of maintaining unmanaged goat populations below an identified 'damage threshold' in the region, and

• the feasibility of effective remedial action

2.2                                                                                                                                                                          High priority, short term
Conduct and monitor regional goat control, through new or existing programs, in priority areas identified in Action 2.1.

2.3                                                                                                                                                                          High priority, long term
Apply incentives to promote and maintain on-ground control of unmanaged goats on private or leasehold lands within or adjacent to priority sites identified in Action 2.1.

    Objective 3

Improve knowledge and understanding of unmanaged goat impacts and interactions with other species and other ecological processes

Key actions for Objective 3 include developing