Horticultural Netting Grants for Victorian Horticulturalists
This program is closed to new applications.
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.
Netting with a large mesh size is more likely to entangle birds, possums or flying foxes. The Victorian Government supports the use of netting that is safe for wildlife and encourages grant recipients to use wildlife-safe netting products.
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 on the previous $4.67 million Commonwealth Government-funded program for the apple and pear industry, providing an additional $11.22 million for horticultural enterprises, excluding wine grapes. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has agreed to implement the expanded program on the Australian Government’s behalf.
About the program
Grants are available for eligible horticulture enterprises operating in Victoria. The program will provide up to 50% 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 apply for an allowance of $7,000 per ha up to $50,000 to self-install netting within the $150,000 cap, subject to some conditions and exclusions, such as wages and installation equipment.
Businesses that have received a grant under the previous horticultural netting program for the apple and pear industry and/or the first round of the expanded program may apply for a grant in this funding round. However, the application must be for a new project on a different area under production. Each business may receive no more than $300,000 (ex-GST) in total across all rounds of the program.
The number of grants in the program is subject to funds being available.
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 31 May 2025.
Further detail on eligibility 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 - 351.0 KB)
- Horticulture Netting Program Expansion guidelines (WORD - 1.6 MB)
When can I apply for a grant?
This program is closed to new applications. The application period for this program was between 5 February 2024 and 5 pm on 22 April 2024.
Once my application is submitted, what happens next?
Applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt of their application upon submission. After the assessment period, all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application. Grants offered to applicants will require execution of a grant agreement between the department and the successful applicant.
- To start a new application: https://deeca.my.site.com/publicform?id=a0hRF000000LBwX
- To return to draft application: https://deeca.my.site.com
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