By Jess Baker
After years of campaigning, Queensland apple and pear growers will soon have access to $1.5 million in grants to purchase and install protective netting.
The funding was announced by Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud and Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner on 7 May 2021, and has since been met with reserved cheers from Granite Belt growers.
The grants will allow Queensland apple and pear producers access to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing protective netting, up to a maximum of $150,000.
But while the investment is appreciated by local growers, many have indicated it will not be enough to adequately support all who need it.
Horticulture sales manager at NetPro, a Stanthorpe-based company that specialises in protective netting, Lindsay Adams said the pitch canopies typically used by local growers to protect their orchards and crops cost approximately $70,000 per hectare.
Based on this estimate, $1.5 million in grants would fund approximately 20 hectares worth of netting.
Lindsay said Granite Belt apple and pear growers are grateful for the funding, but many were expecting – and hoping for – much more, particularly given South Australian growers have access to $14.6 million in grants under the same Horticultural Netting Program.
“Down in South Australia, they don’t need to worry about hail as much as here,” he said.
“(The funding) is welcomed here on the Granite Belt, but compared to other states … it would have been nice to see it evened out.”
Daniel Nicoletti, a third-generation Granite Belt apple grower, said he had been waiting for the federal government to announce protective netting grants for Queensland growers for two years.
“Stanthorpe growers are in the most hail-prone district in Australia – and are the most proactive in installing hail net – and we get $1.5 million while other places get $10 to $14 million,” Daniel said.
“… We are appreciative of it. It’s more than we’re used to getting … we just hope everyone gets a piece of the pie.”
Daniel said Stanthorpe growers would traditionally invest in new hail nets after a good season, but few can afford to at the moment.
“With the drought and low commodity, no one’s had a good season,” he said.
“… It’s a constant cycle, having to replace the hail nets.”
Daniel said that while local growers are concerned $1.5 million will not be enough to share with everyone, no one has begun petitioning for more money just yet.
“We’ll get our heads around this piece and if it’s not enough we will continue campaigning,” Daniel said.
The new scheme will begin next week, from Monday 24 May, and will operate until 30 June 2023 or until the $1.5 million is fully committed.
The program will be implemented by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, with applications assessed in order of receipt from 24 May.
