22/07/2026
DID you know...
Since 1 September 2021, it has been illegal in Victoria to use, sell or advertise household fruit tree netting with a mesh size larger than 5mm x 5mm (when fully stretched).
The law was introduced because larger mesh netting can trap and kill native wildlife, including flying foxes, birds, possums and reptiles.
Yet almost five years later, wildlife rescuers say illegal netting remains widespread.
According to Fly By Night Bat Clinic Victoria, volunteers continue to find non-compliant netting across Melbourne, with many homeowners unaware the netting is illegal or failing to regularly check for trapped animals.
The group's representative Tamsyn says they have raised the issue with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) multiple times, but have been told there are insufficient resources and that volunteers should continue reporting illegal netting.
She says volunteers repeatedly report the same properties and even write to homeowners to explain the law, yet the illegal netting often remains in place.
In Victoria, wildlife officers can issue $395 on-the-spot fines, with penalties of up to $2,964 if prosecuted in court.
Some Victorian councils are already taking positive steps. Last season, Boroondara, Brimbank, Manningham, Merri-bek and Yarra councils encouraged residents to swap illegal fruit tree netting for wildlife-safe alternatives. More than 600 unsafe nets were surrendered and 359 compliant nets were provided free of charge through the pilot program.
The City of Greater Bendigo provides information encouraging residents to use wildlife-safe fruit netting, secure nets correctly, check them regularly for trapped animals and consider alternatives such as fruit protection bags. Link in comments to learn more.
However, it does not appear to currently offer a wildlife-safe fruit net exchange program.
BAWCS observation:
If you come across illegal fruit tree netting in Victoria, the Victorian Government's advice is to report it to Crime Stoppers. It seems to BAWCS that this reporting process does not reflect the seriousness of the issue and risks becoming caught up in bureaucracy, while volunteers continue reporting the same properties and native wildlife continues to be trapped and killed.
The success of the pilot programs demonstrates that councils can play a far more proactive role. Expanding wildlife-safe net exchange programs, educating residents and following up where illegal netting is identified would help prevent wildlife from becoming entangled before another rescue call is needed.
If a pilot involving five Victorian councils successfully removed more than 600 illegal fruit nets from the community, is this something the City of Greater Bendigo should consider introducing?
📖 Reference link in the comments.
Image credit: Meaghan Scott
BAWCS 'caring with compassion'
