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% 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 $5.5m in Round 6 of the HVSI.