More accurate weather information will soon be available to farmers and communities in the Wimmera, with the construction of a new weather radar under way with support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today announced the beginning of construction for the radar near Rainbow, which will be constructed with $5 million from the Labor Government.
The new Doppler radar at Rainbow will address a gap in the radar network, giving the region local, real-time access to critical information and allowing farmers in the Wimmera-Southern Mallee regions to make better time-critical farming decisions.
The radar will also give the area better short-term rainfall forecasts and provide more information to Bureau of Meteorology experts during severe weather events.
The $9.3 million Rainbow Radar project is being supported by the Andrews Labor Government and the Federal Government, through the Bureau of Meteorology, in partnership with the Wimmera Development Association and other key community partners.
The radar, built by a specialist team in Germany, has been delivered and will be installed later this year.
Victorian company Premier Building and Construction has been contracted to complete the construction at the radar site, which is scheduled to be operational by April 2020.
For more information about the Rainbow Radar, visit .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes
“Until now, Wimmera and Mallee farmers have been relying on weather data from radars at Mildura and Mt Gambier. The Rainbow Radar will give the region the critical weather information farmers need to make time-sensitive decisions.”
“We’re proud to be partnering with the Bureau of Meteorology to deliver this new radar and improve Wimmera-Mallee farmers’ productivity and profitability.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley
“The new radar underlines the Morrison Government’s strong commitment to strengthening the Bureau of Meteorology's national observations network.
"We know just how vital radar and weather information is when farmers, emergency services and the broader community have to make quick and critical decisions. This is why the Morrison Government is making significant budget commitments focused on supporting regional Australia."
Reviewed 19 August 2020