Warburn farmer Kel Williams said there was a high demand for goats. “They’re worth quite a bit of money these days,” Mr Williams said. “I think they’re bringing in something like $5 a kilo in abbatoirs.” Mr Williams said there were a number of abbatoirs which only dealt in goats. “These abbatoirs are down in their supply,” he said.

Mr Williams said goats could do a lot of damage.

“They’re fairly rough on the shrubs and trees and whathave you,” he said.

Council has been trying to combat the issue for some time.

Shireen Donaldson, council’s executive services manager, said the goats were not native to Scenic Hill.

Ms Donaldson said they were damaging native flora and fauna and residential gardens. “Council have removed the goats previously but goat populations change and grow due to the connectivity of Scenic Hill to the Cocoparra ranges,” she said.

“Council have made arrangements for the latest population to be removed over winter, but the mustering and removal program could not be undertaken due to wet weather thwartings arrangements.”

Ms Donaldson said council would be issuing an expression of interest for interested and able parties to undertake a mustering and removal program. Interested parties must demonstrate how the goats will be mustered, collected and removed.