NSW Farmers has welcomed a $2 million NSW Government package for quad bike safety improvement rebates.

NSW Farmers Industrial Relations Chair, Richard Chamen said the Association welcomed the support as a a tangible Government commitment to assist the farming community with quad bike safety.

“While the quad bike is an undeniably an important vehicle on farms, it is also the leading cause of deaths on farms,” Mr Chamen said.

“In 2015, we had 22 fatalities in Australia and 15 of those occurred on farm. Every fatality is indicative of the hundreds of injuries related to quads.

“Many farmers have either experienced a quad bike related injury or know someone who has had quad bike related injury.  The Quad bike has long been known as ATV or All Terrain Vehicle, and that is where it has been misconstrued. There are limitations to quad bike use. If you don’t take precautions and operated it with care, it can turn dangerous very quickly.

“There is no better time for farmers to re-assess their own use of quad bike on farm and consider adopting one or more of the recommended safety improvements offered as part of the rebate package.”

“When we were initially approached to give comments on the rebate initiative, we supported the idea of the regulator supporting industry to make safety improvements through awareness raising, assistance and education.

“This is why we participated in the tender to administer the rebate. NSW Farmers will be administering the rebates package which will be available from mid-July onwards.”

Source: NSW Farmers. Information on the quad bike safety package is available at www.safeworknsw.nsw.gov.au