A Russell Island resident is pushing Redland City Council to overhaul its animal management laws to allow miniature goats as household pets on larger residential blocks.
Patricia Zakrzewski addressed council this morning, arguing the animals should be treated similarly to other small livestock such as chickens and ducks due to their size, temperament and environmental benefits.
Ms Zakrzewski said miniature goats could play a practical role in maintaining Redlands’ bushland character, particularly on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
“We are surrounded by trees and bushland,” she said.
“Miniature goats eat grass, they keep the natural weeds down, and you don’t have to rely on pesticides … which are harmful to other wildlife, including our own family and kids.”
Her proposal calls for council to permit miniature goats on properties with at least 1000 square metres of usable land per pair of animals — a benchmark she says is already recognised by breeders and farming organisations.
The animals, she said, are smaller than many household dogs and are easy to manage.
“They require suitable fencing, their hooves need to be trimmed just like a dog’s nails, and they require yearly vaccinations,” Ms Zakrzewski said.
“They don’t smell, they’re non-aggressive, they don’t attack other animals. There is nothing negative about them.”
Ms Zakrzewski said miniature goats were already tightly regulated, with mandatory identification systems ensuring traceability.
“If you saw the goats downstairs, they each get a little ear tag — so they’ve got their own registration number that’s held by government,” she said.
“They are managed as livestock travelling throughout Australia, and that is a government law.”
She said the animals were highly social and best kept in pairs, often bonding with other household pets.
“Mine actually run around in a pack with my dogs,” she said.
“They’re very family-oriented animals.”
Ms Zakrzewski formally petitioned council late last year and used her address to summarise her request, urging councillors to classify miniature goats separately from full-sized livestock.
She said other councils and industry bodies already recognised the distinction.
“What I’m asking is that they are regarded as miniatures, not full-size,” she said.
“Just like other miniature livestock … they’re allowed because of their size and their benefits. We need to do the same.”
Her proposal includes clear thresholds, acknowledging not all properties would be suitable.
“If someone has a 1300 square metre block with a 250 square metre house, then they have over 1000 square metres of land,” she said.
“I understand that if you have 1000 square metres and a 300 square metre house, that would not qualify. They do need the minimum land that keeps them happy.”
The request will now be considered as part of council’s ongoing review processes, with any changes to animal management laws requiring formal assessment and consultation.
