Have you checked your nets?
Your household fruit tree nets may be illegal and dangerous for native and endangered wildlife.
Species like the threatened grey-headed flying-fox get caught in nets every season causing continuing dwindling numbers. Last year 189 wild animals including snakes, possums and birds were rescued from fruit tree netting in Victorian households.
Did you know you can be fined for using illegal fruit nets? In Victoria, Forest and Wildlife Officers can issue on-the-spot fines of $395, with offenders facing a maximum penalty of $2,964 if prosecuted in court.
New laws were introduced in 2021 regarding household fruit tree netting in Victoria.
Bad – It is illegal to net household fruit trees with netting that has a mesh size greater than 5mm x 5mm at full stretch. An easy way for community members can check is whether the net passes the finger poke test as you shouldn’t be able to poke your finger through compliant netting.
Good – White coloured netting should be used which helps with visibility. Nets should also be tightly secured to a frame or tree.
Better – Individual fruit bags or sleeves are a great alternative to nets which community members can use to protect some of the fruit on their trees, while sharing the rest with flying-foxes and other wildlife. Bagging your fruit can result in better harvests year after year. Insect nets and fruit bags protect your fruit from insects and pests. Timing is everything, when you leave your netting or bagging until fruit is present on the tree, natural pollinators like birds and insects can access the flowers contributing to abundant harvests and happy eco systems.
Victoria’s Net Swap pilot program
The Conservation Regulator, in collaboration with five metropolitan councils, is giving household fruit growers the opportunity to swap illegal fruit netting for a legal alternative at no charge.
Victorians are encouraged to surrender their illegal netting via drop off points at the five local councils. Local residents within those council areas will be eligible to receive one replacement legal fruit tree net, free of charge.
This joint program will educate the public about the dangers that illegal household fruit tree netting poses to wildlife and help prevent future wildlife entanglements.
To help check if your household netting is legal, try poking a finger through the mesh and if it can pass through, then it’s too big and most likely illegal. Click here to view the regulations.
How it works
A limited number of nets are available at each of the five local councils, with a limit of one net per household.
ID or a recent rates notice will be required to prove residency within a participating local council area.
Surrendered illegal netting will be collected and recycled via UPPAREL. Anyone can surrender illegal netting, even residents outside of the five participating council areas.
To arrange for a net swap (or surrender illegal netting) contact your local council. More information about drop off points can be found on these council webpages:
The grey-headed flying-fox
Flying-foxes feed on more than 100 species of flowering and fruiting native plants, as well as a range of introduced species. The species plays a vital role in dispersing seeds and pollinating native flowering plants contributing to the survival of whole ecosystems. Many plant species rely on flying-foxes for survival.
Community members who find a flying-fox trapped in fruit tree netting, should not attempt to touch or handle it and must call an experienced, vaccinated wildlife rescuer to assist.
To find a rescuer, call 136 186 or use the Help for Injured Wildlife Tool.
You can report illegal household fruit tree netting by contacting Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000
Check your nets. Save Wildlife.
Report illegal household netting in your neighbourhood.
Check your nets, more fruit.
