Local MP and Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley described today’s activation of the new Rainbow Radar station as a key step forward for the regions farmers at a critical time for the industry.

Located near the Victorian township of Rainbow (around 200km south of the NSW/Vic border), the new Doppler is live on the Bureau of Meteorology website today and will help Farmers across the Wimmera and Southern Mallee and into parts of Farrer in Southern NSW make vital management decisions with greater confidence.

Minister Ley said the new radar, funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments, underlines the Federal Government’s 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 need to make critical decisions,” She said.

“That is why we’re making significant budget commitments focused on supporting regional Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology’s national observations network.”

The local Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster has been a strong supporter of the project and welcomed the benefits it would bring the local community local farmers at a time when they are making key decisions.

“For farmers across Mallee, accurate weather data is vital in order to make good decisions when it comes to planting, spraying and harvesting,” she said.

“This new Doppler radar will provide residents and farmers across the Wimmera Mallee region the ability to track short term rain forecasts, wind speed and storms.

“It will ensure that farmers can access the data they need to maximise their outputs.”