Horticulture Industry

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (16:33): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister update the house on how the state government is supporting the installation of infrastructure to protect horticultural crops?

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (16:33): I thank the member for Kavel for his very important question and for his advocacy for the apple and pear growers in the Adelaide Hills. The Marshall Liberal government is supporting primary producers to protect their horticultural crops from extreme weather and predators through the $14.6 million Horticultural Netting Infrastructure Program. Additionally, this also supports them in increasing water use efficiency through the provision of funding for netting. We are building what matters for primary producers.

Under the program, we are offering funding for up to 50 per cent of the cost to purchase and install or replace damaged netting over land used for horticultural crops. As of 27 November, 56 applications have been received, seeking a total of $6.2 million in grants. There have been 44 applications, and a total of $5.1 million in grants have been approved to date, with the total cost of projects worth $11.5 million and 359 hectares of crop covered with approved grants.

The benefits of netting also extend beyond risk management of hail and include protection from birds and bats, improved yields, increased marketability of products and labour and water savings. Fruit harvested under netting is more likely to meet the high standards demanded by consumers, providing a market advantage. Up to $7.3 million in grants is available for primary producers in the Adelaide Hills and Greater Adelaide area. Similarly, $7.3 million is also available for grants in the Riverland.

The program closes on 30 June 2023 or when funds are fully committed, whichever comes first. The uptake of grants under this program has been very strong to date. Both regions have been hit by several hailstorms in recent years, decimating horticulture crops such as apples, pears, citrus and cherries. In October 2017, the Adelaide Hills were impacted by a hailstone storm that affected 95 per cent of the state's apple and pear orchards. Then again, in 2018, every grower in the Adelaide Hills experienced hail damage to some degree. Of the blocks sampled outside netting, 80 per cent had more than 50 per cent fruit damage.

In November 2019, parts of the Riverland region were impacted by a storm cell that produced a band of hail that impacted 130 growers across 211 properties. This netting program is much-needed relief for horticulturalists. This is another example of the commonwealth and state governments working together to deliver for primary producers in South Australia. We are supporting local jobs through netting businesses, which is important in this challenging economic climate.