Horticultural Netting Grants for Victorian Horticulturalists – Australia

This includes protection of horticultural production to address the issues of damage by weather or pest incursion.

The purpose of the Horticultural Netting Infrastructure (Expansion) Program is to provide funding to eligible primary producers of commercial horticulture crops, excluding wine grapes, for the purchase and installation of new netting over established production areas (a ‘project’) to increase productivity. Horticulture means plant agriculture, which includes production of flowers, fruits and nuts, vegetables and herbs, as well as ornamental trees.

The Commonwealth Government has provided an additional $11.22 million to expand its apple and pear trial program for a total program budget of $15.9 million. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (DEECA) has agreed to implement the Program in Victoria on behalf of the Commonwealth Government.

What are the funding details?

• The Horticultural Netting (Expansion) Program will provide for up to 50% of eligible costs to commercially install or purchase new horticultural netting (fixed and demountable), to a maximum total of $150,000 (ex GST). An allowance supporting an applicant’s own labour is available, should applicants wish to self-install netting. The netting must be installed over areas already in production/planted prior to 14 December 2021.
• Across all rounds of the Program, the maximum amount that a business can receive is $300,000 (ex GST).
• Successful projects must be completed with all milestones acquitted by 31 May 2025.

What might be funded?

• Funding will be provided for costs incurred by businesses to purchase new horticultural netting and associated support structures required for installation.
  • Self-installation
    • A fixed-rate allowance of $7,000 per hectare of netting installed, to a limit of $50,000 in total, will be available to support applicants’ own labour to self-install new horticultural netting and associated support structures.
  • Commercial installation
    • Funding will be provided for costs incurred by businesses for installation by an independent commercial third-party provider whose regular business includes installation of agricultural netting (‘Third Party Installation’) to supply and install new horticultural netting and associated support structures required for installation.
• Netting must be installed in the State of Victoria for the purpose of increasing productivity of existing production areas. Productivity gains may be associated with, for example, reducing water use, limiting the impact of adverse weather events or preventing animal predation.
• commercial production prior to 14 December 2021. Applications for third-party installation must include written quotes or cost estimates from the preferred third party supplier.
• To be eligible, applicants must attest that the installed or proposed netting and associated support structures comply with all federal and state legislation, regulations and codes in delivery of the Program, for example, relevant planning and building regulations and occupational health and safety standards.
• Projects should demonstrate a commitment to Victorian or regional employment and purchasing wherever possible. Businesses should consider hiring from social or First Nations enterprises where possible.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant is a property owner, share farmer or lease holder for the land parcel/s proposed for this project
• The applicant operates a primary production business registered in Victoria
• The property/s for which the applicant intends to install horticultural netting is/are used for commercial horticultural production (excluding wine grapes) in Victoria
• The property/s was/were already used for horticulture production/planted prior to 14 December 2021
• The project began after 14 December 2021 and the applicant will complete the project by 31 May 2025
• The installed netting mesh size will be 30 mm or smaller
• The applicant is a legal entity and is capable of entering into a legally binding agreement with the Victorian Government
• The applicant holds an Australian business number (ABN), with primary place of business in Victoria
• The applicant earns more than 50% of its gross income from primary production under normal seasonal circumstances
• The applicant has complied with the terms and conditions of any previous Victorian Government funding, grant or concessional loan they have received
• The applicant will provide a cash co-contribution of at least 50% of the budgeted eligible costs for the project (at least $1 for every $1 of grant funding provided). If the Program is undersubscribed, any unallocated funds may be offered in subsequent rounds
• The applicant’s co-contribution will not include funds from another government program
• 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

For more information, visit Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.