Goats are the latest target of the Federal Government’s war on feral animals, where 5.8 million feral goats are in NSW alone. 

Goat numbers are particularly high in Western NSW, where management is characterised by rangeland goat populations being mustered and sold.

The commercial aspect of unmanaged rangeland goats was introduced long ago to manage the population, with goats bringing an economic boost that doesn’t come with feral cats, wild dogs, or rabbits. 

Invasive Species Concil’s Lyall Grieve said the commercialisation of goat management has contributed to the problem of eroded soils and outcompeted native animals. 

"The plan does not resolve the ongoing conflict between the huge environmental impact of feral goats and the commercial drive that keeps their numbers high in western NSW,” Mr Grieve said.  

"Feral goats are a textbook example of why setting up a market for feral animals almost always fails to reduce their numbers and impact on the landscape.” 

“There are now over 5 million feral goats in western NSW which is almost a ten fold increase since commercial harvesting was promoted as a way to get their numbers down in the late 1990s and early 2000s.”

While shooting and trapping are already used for unmanaged rangeland populations, by bringing goats into a feral action plan, the approach is expected to change. 

According to the new draft threat abatement plan, new management could include the funding of current controls (aerial and ground shooting) as well as the development of new goat control options. 

Outside of Western NSW, the plan also includes island eradication, focusing on the more than 35 offshore islands where goats are present, including the Great Barrier Reef. 

"Feral goats are one of the worst invasive species in Australia. They stop regeneration of bushland, overgraze, outcompete native animals, erode our soils and stream banks and reduce carbon storage in the landscape,” Mr Grieve said. 

“This is very welcome and important, but in order to make a real difference on the ground we need the Albanese government to back up their words with significant new money so that these plans can be implemented.”

The draft plan is open for public consultation and submissions are due by 7 February 2024.