Horticultural primary producers across NSW can access grants of up to $100,000 for the purchase and installation of protective netting over crops as part of the Australian Government’s $35 million nation-wide Horticultural Netting Program Trial Expansion.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the Australian Government had expanded an earlier trial in a number of states to provide assistance to growers in NSW.
“The trial was well-received in other regions and we’re very pleased to be able to invest in resilience in NSW,” Minister Watt said.
“It has been a tough year for growers with weather conditions, and we’re committed to supporting them.”
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW, Dugald Saunders said the program will supplement half the cost of purchasing and installing netting, enabling growers in NSW to protect their crops and secure their investment.
“Horticulturalists and viticulturists in NSW can apply for a grant of up to 50 per cent of the cost to purchase and install new protective netting, to a maximum grant amount of $100,000,” Mr Saunders said.
“The national $35 million package includes $5.62 million to support primary producers of horticultural and viticultural crops in NSW to develop resilience and adapt to Australia’s ever-changing climate.
“It has been demonstrated that properly installed protective netting can significantly improve the quality, reliability and quantity of fresh food crops, reduce water usage and provide protection to crops during severe weather events and from pests.
In NSW, the Horticultural Netting Program trial is administered by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) and is open to applications from Monday, 24 October 2022.
“We expect demand for this Australian Government program to be high and it’s important to get your application in early, as funding is limited,” said Mr Saunders.
