Mark, your comments in reply to Alan are noted. However, perhaps instead of doing controlled burns around vulnerable settlements, intensive grazing of goats might well be a viable cost effective solution worth considering.

David

VA3AUU

Small goat herds have been used in the past to control weeds such as blackberry and gorse in Victorian timber plantations, so their use for fuel reduction grazing adjacent to towns makes sense. However, it would be very small scale, and certainly in Victoria, would be limited to privately owned lands, as it would not be permitted in most public lands, certainly in Victoria.

You are right that there is a need for alternatives to controlled burning adjacent to towns and properties due to the inherent property risks and societal changes such as increased threat of litigation. This has been recognised already, and mechanised fuel reduction is now commonplace in such places with heavy fuels physically removed and mulched, and lighter elevated fuels knocked down. This is more acceptable on public lands than herds of potentially feral animals, such as goats.

I've seen mountain goats scale/climb almost sheer cliffs. I don't believe there is not any Australian high country they could not manage.

Steep country is not country you want to burn. It gets out of control far too easily. Goats are the best, go anywhere, any time, option. Especially our unmanaged forest reserves and national parks.
Alan B.

Introducing new problems might solve a problem & goats will bring on Dingoes & then they'll be a problem etc etc.. Just let the forests burn early in the season & all will be good. Cold burns are the only way. How much more proof do some people need ?