The NSW Government's third Doppler weather radar, which was earmarked for the Parkes region in 2018, has overcome COVID-related border closures and disruptions to the supply chain to remain on track for a 2022 completion.
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The site for the radar is at Yeoval, just over 60 kilometres north-east of Parkes, and will be invaluable for better real-time weather observations for both farmers and town residents.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, and Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW, Adam Marshall, recently visited the site to receive an update on how construction was progressing.
Mr Toole said the new radar would see massive benefits for farmers and emergency services in particular.
"It's critical for farmers to have the most reliable and up-to-date weather information - and that's exactly what the Yeoval radar will deliver for farmers, emergency services and the wider communities of the Central West and western NSW," he said.
"Local contractors from the Central West of NSW have been forging ahead with construction of the infrastructure supporting the radar, incorporating the main access road, site entrance, shelter with generator, fencing and security gate.
"The Yeoval radar will be the third of three new radars promised by the NSW Government to boost farmers' decision-making capacity with radars at Brewarrina and Hillston already operational and helping the Bureau of Meteorology to provide real time data and increased accuracy in weather forecasts," said Mr Toole.
READ MORE ABOUT THE BREWARRINA RADAR:
Mr Marshall said while COVID-19 had thrown up curveballs, the Yeoval radar was still on track to be turned on in 2022, delivering weather data to help farmers make better informed on-farm decisions.
"I know farmers, like the Government, are excited to have the Yeoval radar operational as soon as possible as it will provide instant, detailed weather information to some of our State's most diverse primary production areas," he said.
"Raindrops, hail, bushfire plumes and wind velocity can be detected from up to 200 kilometres from the radar, meaning towns such as Orange, Dubbo, Mudgee and Cowra will benefit from the Doppler radar's reach."
The Yeoval Doppler radar was funded by the NSW Government as part of a $24.5 million election commitment to deliver three new radars across the western region of NSW.
