South Australian primary producers will be able to access more valuable heavy vehicle training with Grain Producers SA (GPSA) set to receive key funding through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Federal Government.
The new project, which will bring together an industry steering committee later this month, will use evidence to inform how road access can be improved for agricultural vehicles and primary producers. NHVR Portal training will also be given to producers and other industry stakeholders as part of the project.
GPSA Regional Field Officer Shane Gale said the funding will enable GPSA to continue to improve road access and heavy vehicle safety to members from all Primary Producer SA commodity groups.
“This HVSI grant will allow the GPSA to deliver another highly successful grower education campaign similar to our Chain of Responsibility … Made Easy! and Roadworthy Heavy Vehicles … Made Easy! programs,” he said.
“The new funding will enable GPSA to conduct a comprehensive research study into the behaviour of South Australian primary producers in accessing public roads.
“We will use those findings to develop a new education campaign in conjunction with NHVR and Primary Producers SA, to further improve safety for all road users while maintaining productivity for primary producers.
“This will form part of GPSA’s commitment to improving heavy vehicle safety in the primary production sector for the benefit of our industry and regional communities.”
GPSA’s other heavy vehicle education campaigns have proven popular among producers, with more than 95 per cent of attendees saying they would recommend the workshops they attended to other primary producers.
This project is one of 28 successful heavy vehicle safety initiatives to receive funding from $5.5 million in Round 6 of the HVSI.
Mr Gale said GPSA was pleased to be supporting heavy vehicle safety for the primary production sector.
“The grain industry is reliant on the safe transport of grain on our roads and GPSA is committed to improving road safety not just for heavy vehicle operators, but for all road users,” he said.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the HVSI program supported key initiatives that deliver tangible safety improvements for the heavy vehicle industry and all road users.
“The grants enable the NHVR, local governments, industry and other stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to achieve a shared goal of safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer road use for all Australians.
“I look forward to working with GPSA to deliver agricultural vehicle notice and portal training and improve road safety for everyone.”
For interviews:
- GPSA – Alistair Lawson, AgCommunicators, 0448 400 606
- NHVR – Claire Rosenberg, 0403 808 462
