MERRI-BEK RESIDENTS ONLY - Fruit Tree Net Swap (at Mulberry Community Garden spring festival)

If you’re a Merri-bek resident, you can surrender your illegal tree netting at this Fruit Tree Net Swap event and receive a wildlife-safe net product in return (strictly one per household). This Net Swap is being held during the Mulberry Community Garden spring festival. On the day, go to the Merri-bek branded stall to swap your net. To see if your net is legal, try the finger test. If you can poke a small finger through the mesh, the holes are too large and most likely illegal - This netting should not be used. WAITLIST: If there are no more tickets left, please join the waitlist. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: To help check if your netting is legal, try poking a finger through the mesh and if it can pass through, then it’s too big. Click here to view the regulations. • You must be a Merri-bek resident to participate. BRING PROOF OF ADDRESS: An ID card or a recent rates notice will be required to prove that you are a Brimbank resident. • Surrendered illegal netting will be collected and recycled via the project partner UPPAREL. • Bookings are required. • This Net Swap is being held during the Festive Funday Festival. On the day, go the Environment Stall to swap your net. • Limited nets are available and a limit of one net product per household applies. • Merri-bek residents can surrender multiple nets to be recycled but will only be given ONE new net product per household. NET PRODUCTS AND SIZES: • Fruit tree net – 2.4m width x 2.8m height: This is suitable for a medium sized fruit tree. • Fruit Protection Bags – Large 30cm x 30cm (10 PACK): Suitable for younger trees in pots and planters or if you just want to protect small amounts of fruit on larger trees. • Fruit Protection Sleeves – 30cm x 90cm (5 PACK): Suitable for younger trees in pots and planters or if you just want to protect small amounts of fruit on larger trees. Accessibility: This venue is outdoors and may have some uneven ground. This program is being led by the Conservation Regulator, in partnership with Zoos Victoria, RSPCA Victoria, Wildlife Victoria, Animal Welfare Victoria and 18 Victorian councils. If you are not a Merri resident, contact your council to see whether they are involved in the Net Swap Program. FAQs: Q. Why are we doing this? A. Under Victorian regulations introduced in 2021, it is illegal in Victoria to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm x 5mm. Larger mesh netting is more likely to entangle, distress, and seriously injure or kill wildlife. We want to partner with our community to make the removal of old, illegal netting easier and therefore safer for our local wildlife. Q. How do I know if my net is illegal or legal? A. An easy way to check if a net fits the requirements is to see if it passes the finger poke test. If an adult finger can fit through the gaps, chances are that the net is illegal. Q. Can the nets protect against fruit flies such as Queensland Fruit Fly? A. Yes. Q. Why have you chosen these particular nets? A. After a successful trial of this program last year we expanded our range of available netting to suit as many gardeners as possible. You now have a choice between a full sized net, sleeve netting (to exclude a branch from wildlife) or fruit protection bags (to exclude a bundle of fruit from wildlife). Q. How many nets are available for residents? A. Limited nets are available, with a limit of one net or 10 sleeves or 30 protection bags per household. Proof of residential address will be required to obtain a replacement net, at the drop off/pick up location. Q. Will I be able to surrender an illegal net without taking a new net? A. Yes, and it will be collected to be recycled. Last year we recycled 450kg of netting! Q. Do I need to be a resident to be able to surrender an illegal net (without taking a new one)? A. No, anyone can surrender an illegal net which will be sent off for recycling. Q. Are there any fees for surrendering an illegal net or collecting a replacement net? A. No, there are no fees involved. Q. Where can I find out more? A. Take a look on our My Smart Garden website 'resources' section! This My Smart Garden event is proudly presented by Merri-bek City Council on the land of Wurundjeri and Boon Wurung peoples of the Kulin nation. My Smart Garden pays our respect to Elders past and present and acknowledges that First Nations peoples have cared for Country sustainably for tens of thousands of years. My Smart Garden | Instagram | Newsletter