The NSW government has committed $24.4 million to build and operate three new Doppler radar weather stations in the central and far west regions.

The funding in Tuesday’s state budget brings to fruition a hard-fought campaign by multiple organisations from the Orana region to push for the infrastructure.

Orana Regional Organisation of Councils (OROC) chairman and Gilgandra Shire mayor Doug Batten was “thrilled” the cause championed for so long had found success.

“For over 10 years OROC has promoted the benefits of sufficient weather radar coverage and the benefits that it will bring to communities and industries in the region and this announcement is a major breakthrough,” Cr Batten said.

He reports weather radar stations are located to the Orana region’s north, east and south.

“As you can imagine, on a map of NSW, there’s a big gap there,” Cr Batten said.

A study previously commissioned by OROC identified the combined benefits to emergency management, aviation, river and water operations and mining well exceeded the estimated capital investment to install modern Doppler radar technology.

Cr Batten applauded the announcement.

“Not only do the economics stack up, there has been a strong case on the grounds of equity for radar services to be provided in this part of NSW, well done to the state government in acknowledging this in their 2018 budget,” he said.

The OROC chairman acknowledged support received from multiple agencies including Macquarie River Food and Fibre (MRFF), state and federal members and Regional Development Australia Orana.

MRFF chairman Michael Egan said the funding had been a long time coming and it was exciting news.

“There’s been a huge hole right through western NSW,” he said.

Mr Egan, who has a mixed farming operation north of Warren, said the radar would be a great tool.

With precise weather information farmers could make better-informed decisions about sowing, irrigation and other management issues, he said.

The funding was part of a more than $500 million drought package announced last week at the Cox family property in the district of Coboco, north-west of Dubbo.

The NSW Farmers’ Association commended the government for a budget that delivered for regional and rural communities, in challenging times due to drought conditions across most of the state.

The organisation has been advocating for better weather forecasting through the funding of three new Doppler radars.

“The $24.4m investment in three Doppler radars will enable significantly improved day-to-day on-farm management, and improve farmers’ access to finance and insurance, by reducing risks associated with weather and climate,” NSW Farmers’ president Derek Schoen said.

In making the announcement, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the allocation to construct and operate three new Doppler radar weather stations in the central west and far west would give farmers more accurate weather forecasting.

“These new radars will deliver fast, accurate and live weather updates to help our farmers make timely business decisions about when to sow, harvest crops or move stock, boosting productivity and saving money,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We know that Western NSW has been crying out for accurate radar information for many years and in particular, I would like to acknowledge and thank Orana Regional Organisation of Councils, NSW Farmers and the Country Women’s Association for their ongoing advocacy for this critical infrastructure.

“The radars will provide real-time weather coverage for 30 per cent of the state.”