Round 6 of the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) has been launched, with a record $5.55 million on the table for heavy vehicle safety programs.
Those requiring funding or support for a project, program or campaign that will increase safety awareness and compliance could be in with an opportunity to turn it into a reality.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Federal Government had provided the funding to back submissions from community and industry groups to improve heavy vehicle safety on Australian roads.
“The Federal Government is again showing our support for heavy vehicle projects delivered by groups that want to make our roads and heavy vehicle operations even safer,” said McCormack.
“Through this program, the Federal Government has delivered $22.8 million for 89 grants over the past five years, including Industry Codes of Practice, specialist heavy vehicle safety information for farmers, caravaners, shippers and learner drivers, as well as training tools such as simulators.
“This is ultimately about saving lives and making our roads safer.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz added that the funding for 2021-22 was a record for the program, showing how serious the Federal Government is about heavy vehicle safety.
“There are some clever people with some clever ideas on how to improve road safety that just need some support to deliver those programs,” Buchholz said.
“I know that Governments and regulators don’t have all the answers when it comes to road safety, which is why we’re calling on groups to put forward their value-for-money projects and ideas for consideration.
“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing some great programs across the country benefit from this funding, including livestock loading frames, and support for driver physical and mental health and wellbeing, which was important for drivers managing the stress and restriction in place during the pandemic.”
Last year, the HVSI program received 59 applications for funding. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said he was looking forward to even more in this round.
“This year the NHVR has suggested that submissions address one of the following three themes – Safer drivers, Safer vehicles and Safer road use – to align with state, territory and Commonwealth road safety plans,” Petroccitto explained.
“I look forward to seeing another wide range of safety ideas delivered by a diverse group of stakeholder groups prepared to create solutions to make our roads safer.”
Applications for Round 6 of the NHVR’s HVSI are open until 12 February 2021.
Projects must be implementable, commence in the 2021-22 financial year and be completed by 30 June 2024.
For more information or to view the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative 2021-22 Submission Guidelines, please click here.