Fruit tree net swap

Next date: Sunday, 15 November 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The Net Swap Program helps you protect local wildlife by replacing unsafe fruit tree netting with wildlife-safe alternatives.

You can surrender old or illegal fruit tree netting for recycling and receive one free wildlife-safe replacement fruit tree net per household. Council staff will also be available to provide information about Victoria's fruit tree netting requirements and answer questions about protecting wildlife in home gardens.

The program supports you to continue growing your own fruit while helping prevent injuries and deaths among native wildlife.

Why this is important

Unsafe fruit tree netting is a significant cause of wildlife injury and death. Birds, possums, reptiles and threatened grey-headed flying-foxes can become entangled in large-mesh netting, often resulting in serious injury or death.

The program provides a practical way for you to make your garden safer for wildlife while learning about Victoria's legal fruit tree netting requirements. By combining education, recycling and a free replacement net, the program encourages simple behaviour changes that can have a positive impact on local biodiversity.

The main objectives are to:

• Increase awareness of Victoria's legal fruit tree netting requirements.
• Reduce wildlife injuries caused by unsafe netting.
• Encourage responsible gardening and wildlife-friendly practices.
• Support biodiversity conservation in Banyule.
• Promote recycling and reduce waste sent to landfill.

Who this is for

This event is for people who grow fruit at home, enjoy gardening or want to help protect local wildlife.

It is particularly suited to:

• Home gardeners with fruit trees or productive gardens.
• Environmentally conscious residents.
• People interested in protecting local wildlife.
• Community garden members.
• Sustainability and gardening groups.
• Families interested in local environmental initiatives.
• Anyone looking for practical ways to support biodiversity at home.

The net test

Unsure if your netting is illegal? Try the finger test.

If you can poke a small finger through the mesh, your netting may not meet Victoria's fruit tree netting requirements and could pose a risk to local wildlife. 

In Victoria, household fruit tree netting must have a mesh size no greater than 5mm x 5mm at full stretch. Replacing larger mesh netting with a wildlife-safe alternative can help prevent birds, possums, reptiles and flying-foxes from becoming entangled.

The finger test is a simple way to check whether your current netting may need replacing. The cross means a net is illegal, the tick means you can use the netting.

Replacement options

Eligible residents can receive one of the following:

• Fruit tree net: one 2.4m x 2.4m x 2.8m net, suitable for a medium-sized fruit tree.
• Fruit protection bags: 30cm x 30cm, pack of 10, suitable for protecting smaller amounts of fruit on trees.
• Fruit protection sleeves: 30cm x 90cm, pack of 5, suitable for protecting smaller amounts of fruit on trees.

The replacement products have been selected to help residents safely protect fruit trees while reducing risks to wildlife.

When

Location

The nearest train station is Ivanhoe Station (Hurstbridge Line). Local bus routes 546, 548 and 549 service the surrounding Ivanhoe area, with stops within walking distance of the centre.

Banyule Council Parks and Gardens Service Centre, 268-270 Banksia Street, Ivanhoe, 3079, View Map