The simple backyard gardening rule that can cost Aussies a $3,000 fine
As spring arrives, green thumbs across the country are being reminded to make sure they are compliant when protecting their fruit trees.
Gardeners are being urged to avoid a common practice in their yards ahead of summer as it poses fatal risks to wildlife, and those not complying with the new rules will face hefty fines.
Fruit netting has long been used to protect fruit and flowers in Aussie gardens but it can be hazardous for wildlife passing by, with everything from snakes to flying foxes getting stuck and left baking in the hot summer sun, or being preyed upon by predators.
As a result authorities have specified the legal size of the gaps in fruit netting to minimise the chance of wildlife being stuck or tangled in them, however the use of illegal netting continues and has dire consequences for animals trapped by it.
In the first six months of 2024 in Victoria, wildlife authorities recorded more than 110 cases involving flying foxes being caught in illegal household netting and it exceeded the total number of cases reported last year.
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Now, gardeners are being warned once again against using fruit netting unless it meets legal requirements, with a maximum mesh size of 5x5mm or smaller.
"We're urging all household fruit growers to ensure they understand the law and have compliant fruit netting that protects both native wildlife and your household fruit trees. A small change to your netting can make a big difference to the welfare of animals like grey-headed flying foxes," Kate Gavens, Chief Conservation Regulator of Conservation Regulator Victoria said.
Aussies cop hefty fines if found using illegal netting
Due to the large scale of the problem and serious risks posed by illegal netting, authorities across the country have knuckled down on fines to deter Aussies from using them.
In Victoria, wildlife officers can issue on-the-spot fines of $395, with offenders facing a maximum penalty of $2,964 if prosecuted in court. Those in NSW face fines of up to $800 if caught using illegal nets and in the ACT maximum penalties of $1,100 can be enforced.
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