Flying-fox netting subsidy program commences and shooting to be phased out
In March 2011, the NSW Government announced it will provide financial assistance to eligible orchardists in the Sydney Basin and Central Coast regions to help with the cost of purchasing and installing flying-fox exclusion netting. In conjunction with the netting arrangements, licences to shoot flying-foxes will be phased out over the next three years across NSW, except in special circumstances. Information on the Flying-fox Netting Subsidy Program and the licence phase-out is provided below.
NSW Flying Netting Subsidy Program
Overview
The Flying-fox Netting Subsidy Program is a program of grants funded by the NSW Environmental Trust to assist with the installation of permanent exclusion netting on commercial orchards in the Sydney Basin and Central Coast regions (see list of eligible Local Government Areas below). Subsidies will meet half the cost of installing netting, and will be capped at $20,000 per hectare. Orchardists will be responsible for all ongoing maintenance and replacement costs.
The Netting Subsidy Program will be administered by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) and will operate over the next three financial years: 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14. Subsidies will not be available after 30 June 2014.
Why is the program restricted to orchardists in the Sydney Basin and Central Coast regions?
Flying-fox incursions have had a consistent and significant impact on commercial orcharding operations in the Sydney Basin and Central Coast regions throughout the past ten years. These regions have experienced the greatest increase in flying-fox incursions, and together comprise 89% of all shooting licences issued since 2001/02.
Eligibility criteria
The subsidy is payable to commercial orchardists in the following Local Government Areas:
| Blacktown | Penrith |
| Blue Mountains | Pittwater |
| Camden | Sutherland |
| Campbelltown | The Hills |
| Gosford | Warringah |
| Hawkesbury | Wollondilly |
| Hornsby | Wollongong |
| Kuring-gai | Wyong |
| Liverpool | |
The minimum area for a netting subsidy is one hectare.
All applicants will be required to sign a declaration that:
states they are willing to have any subsidised works audited for conformance with the netting described in their application; and
acknowledges that receipt of a subsidy precludes them from applying for a culling licence at any time in the future.
Netting requirements
Subsidies will be available for the installation of permanent exclusion bat netting. The netting structure must be full canopy netting (roof and sides), with netting held by a rigid structure of poles and tensioned cables. The mesh size for the netting must be no larger than 40mm. Further information is available on the RAA website.
The Queensland Government's Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has produced a comprehensive guide to netting structures. To net or not to net (3rd edition, 2008).
Application process and payment of subsidies
The Netting Subsidy Program is being administered by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority. To apply, contact the RAA on 1800 678 593 or visit the RAA website.
Subsidy payments will be made to orchardists after netting has been installed and upon receipt of either a tax invoice or receipt of payment.
How will the licence phase-out work?
From 1 July 2014 licences will only be issued special circumstances. Strict guidelines for the granting of such licences will be developed in consultation with conservation groups, grower representatives and animal welfare bodies. Until 1 July 2014, orchardists can continue to apply for shooting licences in accordance with the current licensing policy.
Where can I find more information?
Further details can be obtained from the RAA website. A list of frequently asked questions and answers has also been prepared.
Page last updated: 16 November 2011
