The Barkly have been waiting for a new weather radar since the Federal Government de-commissioned the old one in 2015 - over a decade ago.The Commonwealth must finally deliver a new weather radar for the Barkly region Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association says Remote Territorians should not have a lower standard of safety information
The Commonwealth must finally deliver a new weather radar for the Barkly region that the region has been waiting a decade for.
Steve Edgington, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Housing, Local Government and Community Development and Member for Barkly, said following the recent severe rainfall and flooding it was time for the federal government to finally deliver a new radar for the Barkly.
"The residents of the Barkly have been waiting for a new weather radar since the Federal Government de-commissioned the old one in 2015 - over a decade ago," Mr Edgington said.
"We have seen a severe weather event in the Barkly this week with record rainfall and flooding causing a massive impact, but communities and stations had little knowledge of when and where the rain was coming with no radar to provide real time information.
"Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-State funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) but better real time information would have helped residents of the Barkly better prepare for the flooding and know more about what to expect.
"In past years there were massive bushfires that the radar would have also been useful in assisting with wind direction, strength and wind changes, amongst other things."
Under the Barkly Reginal Deal, the Federal Government is providing $15.4m toward the radar and the NT Government is providing a $2.5m co-investment.
"Where is the Member for Lingiari and Senator McCarthy, its time they stepped up and started delivering for Territorians."
"It is time for the Commonwealth to get the issues sorted and get it built for the residents of the Barkly as soon as possible," Mr Edgington said.
Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association Chief Executive Officer Romy Carey said, "Remote Territorians should not have a lower standard of safety information than the rest of Australia. Restoration of the Barkly radar coverage is urgent."
"The Barkly has operated without local radar coverage for more than a decade. Producers and communities need reliable, real-time weather information to make safety decisions, and the focus must now be on delivery."
"A weather radar is basic safety infrastructure for regional and remote communities. The Barkly needs reliable, real-time coverage so people can make timely decisions before access is cut and risks escalate."
