The NSW Government has doubled the value of rebates available to farmers for quad bike safety measures, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean announced today.
The government’s Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program, introduced last July, gave farmers access to a one-off rebate to buy helmets, undertake training, retrofit safety equipment to existing quad bikes, and/or buy a safer side-by-side farm vehicle.
Today the Government has doubled the rebate to $1000 for the purchase of a side-by-side vehicle, $500 for the retrofitting of safety equipment to an existing quad bike, and $90 for the purchase of an approved helmet. As many farmers have more than one quad bike, from today they can also apply for two rebates, meaning they can be eligible for up to $2000 rather than the original $500 if they are buying side-by-sides.
Since 2011, 111 people have lost their lives in quad bike accidents nationally, with 29 of these incidents occurring in NSW.
“Every fatality has an immeasurable effect on families, friends and communities, and this government is wholeheartedly committed to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by quad bikes in the workplace,” Mr Kean said.
A new, 12-minute, online quad bike safety presentation (www.safework.nsw.gov.au) has also been launched today to give farmers easy access to important information. To qualify for the rebates, farmers are required to complete the online course, do a quad bike safety course, or interact with a SafeWork NSW officer. That can be as easy as a short conversation at a field day.
“We understand farming is a tough and demanding business, and it can be difficult for property owners to drop everything to attend a training day or meet with a SafeWork inspector,” Mr Kean said.
“While these options will still be offered, this online teaching tool will allow farmers to access quad bike safety advice at a time that is most convenient to them and, more importantly, give them easier access to the rebates that might save their lives.”
Rebates under the quad bike program are administered by NSW Farmers.
To link to the Media Release, click here.
