THREE new Doppler Radars will be established in the Orana region to provide estimated rainfall volume data and wind speed and direction observations in radar 'black hole' areas.
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NSW Farmers highlighted the need for the weather stations in June 2017, with the NSW Government signing a $24.4 million contract to deliver the new three sites in Forbes on Monday.
The radars will benefit 34 local government areas across Western NSW, assisting farmers, firefighters and residents with real-time weather observations.
NSW Farmers said the stations were needed for areas currently without a service that assists farmers in making time sensitive decisions in farm management, including when to plant, spray, fertilise or move livestock.
NSW Farmers' president James Jackson said the radars will significantly improve day-to-day on-farm management by reducing risks associated with weather and climate.
“For the broader community, this technology will also result in improved protection of lives and livelihoods, particularly when confronted with fires, storms and floods,” Mr Jackson said.
Mr Jackson said the contract signing marked a significant step forward for the delivery of the three new radars.
“The NSW agricultural sector contributes over $14.5 billion annually to the economy, and generates over $6 billion in exports. With improved tools, such as these new radars, we can be confident of growing this output and continuing to strengthen rural and regional economies.”
The locations for the Doppler radar installations will be identified in the general vicinity of the Parkes, Brewarrina and Hillston-Ivanhoe regions in the coming months.
It is understood all three radars will be installed and operational in 2022.
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