THE South Australian government grant eligibility for horticultural netting has been extended to cover the whole state despite some businesses having a reduction in netting transactions.
Grants of up to $300,000 to help purchase netting to protect produce have been made available to producers across the state.
A PIRSA spokesperson said the expansion of the program was occurring within the balance of the original program budget of $14.6 million.
"Eligible primary producers who wish to install netting can receive up to $300,000 for a 50 per cent subsidy for new or replacement netting," the spokesperson said.
"One hundred and thirteen projects, valued at $7.5m have been completed with those in progress on track.
"With $4.2m uncommitted, and applications open until 20 May 2024, it was decided to make the program accessible to horticulturists from all regions across SA."
The Horticulture Netting Infrastructure Grants scheme, funded by the federal government in 2020 and coordinated by the state government, initially focused on primary producers from the Riverland and Adelaide Hills/Greater Adelaide regions who had been impacted by repeated severe hail events between 2016-2019.
Expanding the scheme to more regions will help horticulturists, orchardists and winegrape growers to better protect their livelihoods from extreme weather and pests, while also reducing evaporation and saving water.
Netting SA's Tim Saegenschnitter said the market for netting had dropped off and they had not sold much.
"The prices are bad, there is a bit of over supply around and there's a bit of uncertainty, so people obviously don't want to spend the money," he said.
"If they can see down the track that it will benefit them, but it is a bit of a tricky thing when when we're spending money on stuff that's not worth it at the moment.
"In the last three years we have sold a lot of extra bird net just to go over grape vines but we haven't really done any permanent structures as such.
"Regarding the grant, we did one on Kangaroo Island but they weren't eligible because it wasn't in that zone at the time."
Applications close on 30 June 2024, or when all funds are allocated. All projects funded under the grants must be complete by 30 June 2025.
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Kiara Stacey
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
