Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke today welcomed the announcement farmers in the Cootamundra electorate will receive free registration over the next two years for their heavy vehicles as part of a package of measures designed to put more money into farmers’ pockets.
Ms Cooke said the NSW Government will provide partial refunds on previous heavy vehicles registration charges going back over three years, saving primary producers an average of $2094.
“These measures will come into effect from November 1, 2018,” Ms Cooke said.
“We don’t want to see anyone pay more than they should for essential costs such as vehicle registration, especially farmers in the Cootamundra electorate who are dealing with the additional challenges presented by the drought right now.”
These changes come at a crucial time for farmers in regional NSW, added Ms Cooke, and complement the NSW Government’s more than $1 billion in drought support, which includes waiving class one agricultural vehicle registration costs.
“In recognition of what they do and what they go through, we have always given our farmers a 55 per cent reduction in their registration expenses, saving them an average of $1259 per heavy vehicle,” Ms Cooke said.
“Further to the refund announced, and as a result of the drought conditions, primary producers will also receive a registration rebate on their heavy vehicles for the next two years,” she added.
Ms Cooke said for farmers struggling right now the refunds will be important to give them some cash flow. Many are feeding stock and water is becoming more expensive, with freight costs quickly piling up.
“We know what farmers really need is rain, but this initiative goes that little bit further to ease the situation they find themselves in,” she said.
The registration rebate will apply to all renewals from July 1, 2018 until June 30, 2020. For producers who register their vehicles between 1 July and 1 November this year, the amount will be refunded.
Farmers will still have to pay for Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, personalised plates and relevant vehicle checks, for the safety of all road users.
Affected customers will be contacted by Roads and Maritime Services from November 1 with the refund amounts.
Further information is available at: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/primary-producer-hv-rego
