The recent Be Road Ready For Harvest Virtual Field Day, held via Zoom, was a sell-out.
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More than 90 people registered for the event with a further 20 people signing up to the waitlist.
Farmers, contract harvesters, transport companies, agricultural machinery retailers, government agencies, council staff and relevant associations all logged on to learn about the current regulations for safely and legally moving agricultural vehicles and combinations on the road.
Our council's road safety and injury prevention officer, Melanie Suitor, said it was great to see strong numbers for the Virtual Field Day, especially as the region is expecting a good harvest for the first time in a number of years.
"Unfortunately due to the current COVID restrictions we weren't able to hold our face to face event at the Central West Livestock Exchange at Forbes, but it was very pleasing to see many of the regulars join us for the online event," she said.
"There were also a large number of first time attendees from right across the Central West.
"Safety and compliance during harvest is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure that during harvest all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to."
The program included presentations about the new National Agricultural Machinery Notice, Grain Harvest Management Scheme, pilot vehicle requirements, load restraint, COVID Safety Plans at silos, NSW Farmers policy update, insurance and more.
"Regulations are constantly changing and events like this are important to ensure people have are up to date on what's required before the upcoming harvest period,' Ms Suitor sad.
The event was supported by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Transport for NSW, NSW Police, NSW Farmers, WFI and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils.
"We are thinking about holding both the face to face and online events next year - pending what COVID restrictions are in place at the time," Ms Suitor said.
"Feedback was very positive from attendees about the need for the event, format, length, presentations, range of topics, registration process and event organisation.
"Thanks to everyone who assisted to organise and promote the event. And a bigger thank-you to everyone who registered and attended."
The Virtual Field Day was recorded and can be accessed on the Forbes Shire Council's YouTube channel or via this link: https://youtu.be/MIGBLuDVVF0
All attendees have received a copy of the Moving Harvest Machinery 2020 USBs.
"These are a credit card style USB that contain all of the relevant notices for moving agricultural machinery and combinations on the road along with other useful information," Ms Suitor said.
"It also includes a live links page which allows people to access the current version of the notices and documents on the USB.
"The USBs are extremely popular and we will be releasing more in late October/early November - just in time for harvest."
