Horticultural Netting Grants for Victorian Horticulturalists
Research indicates that netting delivers productivity benefits by:
- protecting crops from extreme weather and predators
- increasing water use efficiency.
Netting helps producers to:
- maintain fruit quality
- ensure continuity of supply
- manage production risks.
What is the Horticultural Netting Program Expansion?
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.
About the Program
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.
Eligibility and guidelines
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)
When can I apply for a grant?
Applications have now closed for this program. The application period for this grants program was between 17 August 2022 and 17 October 2022.
Once my application is submitted, what happens next?
Applicants have all been notified of their outcomes.
What is a legal entity?
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:
- enter into agreements or contracts
- assume obligations
- incur and pay debts
- sue and be sued in its own right
- to be held responsible for its actions.
Further information
All enquiries on the Program should be directed to the Program Team at: hort.netting@agriculture.vic.gov.au