Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is urging eligible farmers and businesses to apply for a quad bike rebate after the NSW Government announced it will be expanding the eligibility criteria and extending the rebates until 2023.
“The agricultural industry is a significant employer across the electorate which is why the NSW Government is making life easier and safer for primary producers and small businesses by expanding the eligibility criteria of our hugely successful quad bike rebates, as well as extending the funding by $3.7 million,” Ms Cooke said.
“The rebates are available for operator protective devices (roll bars), helmets, drones and upgrades to safer side-by-side vehicles to create safer working conditions on our farms as well as putting money back in the pockets of our farmers.
“More than 280 people have been killed on quad bikes in Australia in the last 20 years, so I am urging people who use these vehicles for their work to apply for a rebate to make your property safer.”
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the program has been well received throughout the State and anyone who has not taken up a rebate yet apply.
“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 Anderson 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 Anderson also announced changes to the program which will 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 to the program 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 Anderson 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.” 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.
