We are excited to advise that Applications for the Horticultural Netting Grant are now open.
If you are a Fruit Grower and have been thinking about Net, now is a great time to take advantage of funding.
If you have any questions or would like a quote please contact us
Mark : 0401 077 221
Melinda: 0449 155 569
sales@environetcanopies.com.au
Research indicates that netting delivers productivity benefits by:
Netting helps producers to:
The purpose of the expanded Horticultural Netting Program (the Program) is to provide funding to eligible horticultural enterprises (excluding wine grapes) for the purchase and installation of new netting over established production areas (a ‘project’).
This expanded Program builds upon the previous $4.67 million Commonwealth Government funded Program for the apple and pear industry, by providing an additional $11.22 million for horticultural enterprises, excluding wine grapes. The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) has agreed to implement the expanded Program on the Commonwealth Government’s behalf.
Grants are available for eligible horticulture enterprises operating in Victoria. The Program will provide for up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to purchase and commercially install new horticultural netting (fixed and demountable), to a maximum of $150,000 (ex GST). Applicants may also self-install, subject to some exclusions, such as wages and installation equipment.
The number and value of individual grants allocated by the Program will depend upon overall demand. If the Program is oversubscribed, funding will be allocated to successful applicants on a pro-rata basis (a proportion of the amount applied for).
Example: If the Program is oversubscribed by 20 per cent ($13.44 million total), each applicant will be offered 20 per cent less than their requested amount for example, under this scenario a $150,000 application will be offered $120,000.
Applications can be submitted by eligible producers who have had netting already installed after 14 December 2021, and from eligible producers who seek to purchase and install netting before 30 May 2025.
Further detail on edibility for the program can be found in the Program’s guidelines. Please ensure you read the guidelines thoroughly prior to applying to ensure you are eligible.
Horticulture Netting Program Expansion guidelines (PDF – 344.1 KB)
Horticulture Netting Program Expansion guidelines (WORD – 337.3 KB)
The application period for this grants program is between 17 August 2022 and 17 October 2022.
Ensure you read the guidelines first to confirm your eligibility, then if eligible, select the ‘Apply now’ button. This will take you to the Business Victoria website, where you should follow the prompts. Please ensure you have all required documentation ready to include with your submission. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.Apply now
You will receive an automated email, stating your application has been received. Once the grants close, the assessment process will commence and you will be notified in approximately 8–12 weeks of the outcome.
A legal entity is an association, corporation, trustee of a trust, or individual that has legal standing in the eyes of the law.
A legal entity has legal capacity to:
All enquiries on the Program should be directed to the Program Team at: hort.netting@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Are you taking losses annually from hail, sunburn or bird attack?
You are investing a lot of money in your crops, so you should be protecting your investment.
You can spray to protect your crop, but you need to continually monitor and re-apply sprays—which is good for bugs, fungal disease etc—and can be costly for sunburn and wind rub problems; not to mention bird attack, which can cause considerable losses, resulting in less yield and lost income.
Some orchardists tend to think of net as a last solution to protection, probably because of costs in constructing a protective canopy. However, if you are trying to protect your crops, it is a good investment.
In some cases, a protective canopy can pay itself off in five years because of increased yields, less water evaporation and no bird attack.
Growers who have netting will attest to the benefits of protective canopies. Some growers intend to cover their entire orchards.
Some cherry growers benefit by using drape over nets, as they know the potential damage that can occur from birds. As an orchardist, make enquires about the benefits of netting. It’s a free service with no obligations.
For more information see, Tree Fruit Magazine https://www.treefruit.com.au/orchard/canopies/permanent-structures/76-canopy-pays-for-itself
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