The overall aim of the project is to quantify the cost-effectiveness of mechanical fuel management treatments including grazing by goats for fuel reduction, asset protection zones and fire breaks.

The team will analyse data collected by the NSW Rural Fire Service and other end user agencies for goat grazing trials and other combinations of mechanical treatments. These data will be analysed to determine the extent to which mechanical treatments alters fuel load and structure in vegetation communities compared with fuel management characteristics for fuel management zones such as asset protection zones and fire breaks. The team will also estimate any changes in risk reduction that can be achieved by varying levels of mechanical fuel management and goat grazing.

(Image: Philip Sen/WSU)