Horticulture Netting Infrastructure Program

What was available?

A total of $2.6 million was available in WA.

Up to 50% of eligible costs associated with the purchase and installation of permanent horticultural netting, to a maximum of $200,000 was available to eligible applicants.

Who was this for?

Primary producers with an established horticultural business in WA, who earn at least 50% of their income from primary production.

Overview

The objective of the program is to deliver productivity benefits by protecting crops from extreme weather and predators, as well as increasing water use efficiency. It is expected these benefits will result in more harvested fruit and vegetables meeting the high standards demanded by markets. The use of netting also helps ensure continuity of supply and increases the resilience of the industry to climate change impacts. 

Payments to eligible primary producers covered 50% of the costs incurred, up to a maximum of $200,000, for eligible activities undertaken from 16 December 2019 for apples and pears, and 14 December 2021 for other eligible crops.

The program provided targeted assistance to primary producers in WA for the purchase and installation of new netting over land used to grow commercial horticultural crops.

The program opened on 1 July 2022 and is now fully committed.

Netting is an important tool in resilience and risk management for horticulture producers, helping to limit damage from extreme weather and pests whilst also increasing water use efficiency.

Successful recipients

We have allocated funding to 53 successful netting infrastructure projects, which cover more than 220 hectares of orchards and crops.

All successful recipients have now been notified.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants needed to demonstrate that they:

• are a primary producer with an established commercial horticultural business in WA
• earned at least 50% of my income from primary production
• paid for the materials and installation for permanent netting over established plantings since 16 December 2019 for apples and pears, and 14 December 2021 for other eligible crops
• have all the necessary planning and building approvals required for the permanent netting I have had installed.