The NSW Government has announced an additional $3.7 million in funding for the NSW Quad Bike Safety Rebate and Training Program as well as new guidelines which will make the rebates more accessible for farmers and regional businesses.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said this will extend the funding until 2023 and the rebates are available for operator protective devices (roll bars), helmets, drones and upgrades to safer side-by-side vehicles.
Free quad bike and side-by-side vehicle training will also be on offer in regional areas across NSW.
“The NSW Government is creating a safer and stronger regional NSW and thanks to the Quad Bike Safety Rebate and Training Program, more than 1,000 roll bars have been installed, more than 750 helmets purchased, and more than 100 drones have been bought,” Mr Toole said.
“Nothing is more important than protecting our farmers while they are at work, which is why we have allocated this additional funding for farmers to buy and upgrade equipment to keep them safe.”
Mr Toole noted changes to the program which will also allow small working farms and rural businesses to take advantage of the $2,000 safety rebate and free training program.
“We’ve made important changes that will make a big difference to smaller farms and businesses using these vehicles, such as rural real estate agencies and contract pest control services, who can now access the rebate and training,” Mr Toole said.
“The changes allow any number of rebate applications up to $2,000 per ABN, whereas previously only two applications could be made to access these rebate funds.”
Quad bikes are high-risk vehicles and are not safe for use in all terrains or for all tasks. Quad bikes are one of the leading causes of injury or fatality on farms. This is why the NSW Government has this week launched a safety campaign designed to highlight the risks associated with the use of these vehicles.
“More than 280 people have been killed on quad bikes in Australia in the last 20 years. It is crucial that farmers and farm workers embrace the upcoming Australia-wide changes to improve the safety of quad bikes,” Mr Toole said.
“As of October 2021 all new and second-hand imported quad bikes sold in Australia will have roll bars designed or pre-fitted at the point of sale, but farmers can have them fitted right now to their existing bikes without waiting.”
For more information on rebates and free training from SafeWork NSW, and to check your eligibility, visit https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/advice-and-resources/rebate-programs.