Fruit Tree Net Swap Program
Swap Your Illegal Fruit Tree Net for a Free Compliant Net
Frankston City Council is partnering with the Conservation Regulator, Zoos Victoria, RSPCA Victoria, Wildlife Victoria and 18 participating councils to help protect native wildlife from dangerous fruit tree netting.
Under Victorian regulations introduced in 2021, it is illegal to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size larger than 5 mm x 5 mm when fully stretched. Larger mesh netting can entangle birds, flying foxes and other wildlife, causing serious injury or death.
To help residents comply with the law and protect local wildlife, Frankston City Council is offering a free wildlife-safe fruit tree net in exchange for surrendered illegal netting.
How to Check if Your Net is Legal
A simple way to test your netting is the finger poke test - if you can push your little finger through the mesh; the netting is likely illegal and unsafe for wildlife.
- Legal netting has a mesh size of 5 mm x 5 mm or smaller when fully stretched.
- Illegal netting has a mesh size greater than 5 mm x 5 mm when fully stretched.
How the Net Swap Works
To receive a free replacement net you must:
All surrendered netting will be collected and recycled through the program's recycling partner, helping divert waste from landfill.
When and where to swap nets
Events
The next net swap event:
- Location: Melaleuca Room, Civic Centre, 30 Davey Street, Franksont
- Date: Friday 30th October 2026
- Time: 10am to 2pm
Register for this swap event
Alternatives
Email environment@frankston.vic.gov.au to arrange an alternative time to swap your nets.
Why Safe Netting Matters
Every year wildlife, including birds and flying foxes, become trapped in unsafe fruit tree netting.
Wildlife-safe netting helps:
- Protect native birds and flying foxes
- Prevent injuries and deaths caused by entanglement
- Ensure compliance with Victorian regulations
- Support healthy urban biodiversity
A great alternative is to use fruit protection bags, fruit socks, or net individual branches rather than covering an entire tree.
Recycling Old Nets
All surrendered illegal fruit tree netting will be collected and recycled through the Victorian Net Swap Program.
Residents can surrender any many nets as they have (with one swap per household)
By participating, residents are helping reduce waste and prevent harmful materials from ending up in landfill while making gardens safer for wildlife.
Report Illegal Netting
In Victoria, it is illegal to use or sell household fruit tree netting with mesh larger than 5 mm x 5 mm.
If you see illegal netting being sold or used, you can report it to:
Crime Stoppers Victoria
- Phone number: 1800 333 000