Construction of a new multi-million dollar Doppler weather radar in Brewarrina has been completed, and a call has been put out to the federal government to prioritise its commissioning of the radar so farmers can be best informed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The radar has been built just four months after the first sod was turned, but is yet to be useful to the farmers of the region.
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall said turning on the radar would mean farmers were best informed of potential weather events in the coming weeks.
"...We are now waiting on the commonwealth to deliver its end of the bargain," Mr Marshall said.
"I have written to the Federal Government imploring them to urgently finish their testing. We are at the start of the most important harvest in many years, and farmers need this critical information right now and they shouldn't have to wait any longer."
Mr Marshall said once the data from the Brewarrina Doppler is available to farmers, it will have a real impact for when they decide to plant, to harvest or when to cover their storage.
The new Doppler is one of three set to be delivered by the NSW government through its $24.5 million investment, with the expanded radar coverage a game-changer for farmers across western NSW.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who joined Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall in July to launch construction, said the three new radars were a key election commitment that would plug a void in weather advice in the state's west.
"This is momentous for the farmers, emergency services crews and communities of Western NSW who have been waiting decades for this day," Mr Barilaro said.
The Brewarrina radar will provide access to real-time weather information, can detect rain drops and intensity, hail, bushfire plumes, and wind velocity. Mr Barilaro said this would empower farmers to make more informed decisions, increasing productivity and reducing the risk profile.
Attention now turns to the Parkes and Hillston-Ivanhoe radars, expected to go online soon.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
Bookmark www.parkeschampionpost.com.au
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram