Victorian apple and pear growers can now apply for grants of up to $150,000 for netting to protect their fruit from hail and sun damage, providing a major boost to crop yield.
The $4 million Horticultural Netting Program, which is being delivered by the Andrews Labor Government on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, will provide funding for apple and pear growers to purchase and install new netting over established orchards. The program will enable growers to apply for up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to commercially install or purchase new horticulture netting, which will deliver significant benefits to growers and the industry. Please download the full Media Release here for more information.
Growers are advised to act ASAP as you will need to provide the following information and will also need to get quotes and financials ready, which could take time given there will be a rush on from growers to fencers/netting providers etc:
You will need to have the following information ready to complete your application:
- If not yet installed, I have a written quote or cost estimates for the required netting and infrastructure, and where applicable, third-party installation costs
- If already installed, I have receipts/proof of purchase and evidence of payment
- For grant funding over $50,000 - I have financial reports ready to upload – final accounts with Directors Report, Declaration, profit and loss statements, balance sheets cashflows and notes to the accounts, for last three financial years (plus interim accounts if the financial accounts are over six (6) months old)
- For grant funding under $50,000 - I have proof ready to upload that at least 50% of the income for this ABN is from primary production under normal seasonal circumstances and will provide either:
-
-
- a profit and loss statement, with statutory declaration stating that the statement is a true representation of the business’ income or (A statutory declaration template and completion instructions is available online at: https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/statdecs#form)
- a letter from an accountant stating that more than 50% of gross income is earned from primary production under normal seasonal circumstances.
-
To view eligibility criteria and to apply, please visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/funds-grants-programs/horticultural-netting-grants-program
Please email
