Make your backyard safer for native animals by replacing unsafe fruit tree netting with a wildlife-safe alternative.
Greater Dandenong residents can swap their old, non-compliant household fruit tree netting and sleeves for a safer alternative.
In Victoria it is illegal to use or sell netting with a mesh size larger than 5mm by 5mm when fully stretched. If you can push your finger through the mesh, the holes are too large.
Residents can bring any number of old nets and sleeves for recycling and will receive one replacement net. Options include wildlife safe netting (2.4m by 2.8m) or fruit protection sleeve (30cm by 90cm).
Swaps can be made at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve open days from now until 31 March 2027, or until stock runs out.
Open days are held at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, 8 Mackay Street, Springvale South, every Friday, from 9am-3pm and the third Sunday of the month from 10am-5pm.
The Net Swap program is run in partnership with RSPCA Victoria, Zoos Victoria, Wildlife Victoria and Animal Welfare Victoria.
