Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00160:reg:2008:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00160
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2008 (pt 7/19)
Character Range: 18642–23262

plans for preventing, monitoring and, if an incursion occurs, containing and eradicating unmanaged goats in areas with high conservation values. Action 1.3 implements these plans. All planning and implementation work would recognise that unmanaged goats are one of many pests facing land managers, and therefore would be undertaken within the context of integrated management activities.

Action 1.4 involves eradicating established populations of unmanaged goats from those 'islands' considered to be of high conservation value, depending on feasibility and cost-effectiveness. The identification of any areas for eradication of goats should closely involve local communities and landholders, including those with an economic interest in those herds.

Although not included as an action, genetic characterisation of existing populations should be considered as it may help identify sources and/or mechanisms of invasion, and thus help to prevent new invasions in the future.

Performance indicators

   No further establishments of unmanaged goats in goat-free areas of high conservation value.
   Successful eradication of isolated populations of unmanaged goats where this is attempted.
   Increased populations of affected native species in areas from which unmanaged goats, and other invasive species, have been eradicated.

Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Priority and timeframe

1.1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         High priority, short term
Collate data on offshore islands, and on isolated mainland 'islands', assess their conservation value, the likelihood of significant biodiversity impacts from unmanaged goats, and if there are no goats, rank the level of risk from them being introduced and establishing populations.

1.2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Very high priority, undertake in short term, monitor over long term
Develop management plans to prevent, monitor and, if incursions occur, contain and eradicate any incursion by unmanaged goats, for 'islands' with high conservation values.

1.3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Very high priority, medium term
Implement management plans for high-conservation-value 'islands', including prevention and monitoring actions, and containment or eradication actions if incursions occur.

1.4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Very high priority, undertake in short term, monitor over medium term
Eradicate established populations of unmanaged goats from 'islands' with high conservation values where this is cost-effective, feasible and a high conservation priority.

    Objective 2

Promote the maintenance and recovery of native species and ecological communities that are affected by competition and land degradation by unmanaged goats

Key actions for Objective 2 include identifying priority areas for investment in controlling unmanaged goats; implementing and supporting regional control programs; and applying incentives for promoting and maintaining control programs adjacent to the priority areas. Actions 2.1–2.3 focus programs in goat control on the maintenance and recovery of native species and ecological communities affected 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