State bureaucracy is still in his sites but the Australian Government's announcement of $5.92 million in funding to help orchardists install protective netting has tempered his anger.

The funding was announced by Member for Calare Andrew Gee at Mr Gaeta's Canobolas orchard yesterday but in making the announcement, Mr Gee also proded the NSW Government.

"It's almost six million dollars, that's a really positive thing, but it could have been so much more except during the last round the state government refused to distribute the $2m we had allocated for a netting trial in this area," Mr Gee said

"The six could easily have been eight but we won't quibble about that now, we'll just ask the NSW Government to come to the party and add to the pool to help our local orchardists."

Mr Gaeta, who is chairman of the NSW Farmers Horticulture Committee, said he couldn't believe it when the $2 million pegged for the first netting trial was put back into the treasury after the NSW government failed to administer it.

"It was just ego," he quipped yesterday, but in the meantime said the Federal funding would help protect his fruit.

Under next round, which is open until 2025, growers can apply for funding matched dollar for dollar.

"With $20,000 you can do $40,000 worth of work," Mr Gaeta said.

Mr Gaeta has been battling the flying foxes since they first arrived in Orange in big numbers in 2004. Mr Gee said the protective netting is the obvious solution.

"Netting is a solution that works for farmers, it works for the bats, they don't have to be shot, and it also works for the environment."

"It also protects the trees and the fruit from hail," he said adding it netting was also a waiter-saving method.

"We know that our local orchards have been hit hard lately, first we had the drought, we've hard COVID, we've had the mouse plague, we've had rain and hail, you name it, they've had to deal with out here in the Central West.

"This netting is going to make a real difference."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

HAVE YOUR SAY

Send a letter to the editor using the form below