VICTORIAN farmers have less than a month to claim a $1200 rebate to buy two quad bike operator protection devices or a safer farm vehicle, before the Quad Bike Safety Rebate Scheme closes on 30 September 2019.

VFF president David Jochinke said encouraged all Victorian farmers to take advantage of the rebate scheme before it finishes.

He said quad bikes are a major cause of injury and death on Victorian farms.

“In 2019 so far, we have had seven quad bike deaths in Australia, two of them young children, and countless trips to the emergency department with serious, life-altering injuries.

“If you care about safety on your farm – the safety of your family, employees, visitors, contractors and you – then you need to care about how and if you operate quad bikes,” he said.

“All of the quad bike deaths in 2019 so far have been from quad bike rollovers.

“Operator protection devices don’t prevent rollovers but they can dramatically reduce the risk of being stuck underneath a rolled quad bike and suffocating to death,” he said.

Mr Jochinke said each farm business is eligible for a $1200 rebate, which can cover the cost of two OPDs.

“Alternatively, if you want to move away from the use of quad bikes on your property all-together, the $1200 rebate can go towards the cost of buying a safer side-by-side or small utility vehicle.

“Please don’t miss this chance to save yourself $1,200 and improve quad bike safety on your farm,” Mr Jochinke said.

Farmers wishing to apply for the rebate should call the VFF on 1300 882 833 or visit https://www.vff.org.au/quadbike before the rebate scheme closes on 30 September 2019.