“The safety rebate programs in New South Wales and Victoria have been hugely successful,” said Polaris Australia Managing Director, Peter Alexander. “The rebates are one of the key reasons we saw the national side x side market grow by 48 percent in 2016, with the two states offering rebates – New South Wales and Victoria – outstripping the national side x side market growth with 75 percent and 57 percent growth respectively.”
“If the side x side market continues to grow at a rapid rate – which certainly appears likely, given the year-to-date 2017 side x side market is already almost 40 percent up on the corresponding period last year – then ATV sales could be practically non-existent within five years.”
Matt Keen, NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, last week announced an increase in the rebate available for farmers to transition from an ATV to a vehicle with an integrated Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS) such as a Polaris Ranger side x side and the unique single-seat Polaris ACE.
The rebate in New South Wales has not only been increased from $500 to $1,000 for a single vehicle, the program has been further extended to allow for two vehicles to be eligible under this scheme, essentially providing a $2,000 rebate for the purchase of two vehicles. In Victoria, the very successful WorkSafe Victoria program continues where farmers can qualify for a $1,200 rebate to transition from an ATV to a side x side or ACE product.
Farmers and farm workers in Victoria are eligible for up to a $1200 rebate while NSW farmers are eligible for up to $1000 on the purchase of an agricultural side-by-side with an integrated roll-over protection structure.
Agricultural side-by-side vehicles offer the largest rebate. However, the scheme offers rebates to Victorian and NSW farmers or farm workers purchasing either the Quadbar Operator Protective Device (OPD) or ATV Lifeguard OPD. Farmers will be reimbursed up to $500 (NSW) $600 (Vic) for each OPD purchased.
In NSW the scheme also offers a rebate on quad bike training at an existing Registered Training Organisation (RTO) location across NSW. Participants will be reimbursed up to $310 for completing accredited training.
Also offered is a rebate of $90 for the purchase of helmets compliant with appropriate standards.
