Eyre Peninsula Weather Forecasting

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (15:40): I seek leave to provide a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development a question regarding Eyre Peninsula.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The Western Australian and New South Wales governments have contributed in the order of $25 million each to support the Bureau of Meteorology in building Doppler radars to help remove forecasting black spots within their states. My questions for the minister are:

1. Is her government committed to contributing to the cost of a Doppler radar on Eyre Peninsula to address weather forecasting black spots on Eyre Peninsula?

2. What communications has the minister had with any of her federal colleagues seeking financial support for a Doppler radar on Eyre Peninsula?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:41): I thank the honourable member for her question. The Bureau of Meteorology uses a number of different mechanisms in terms of providing appropriate information, which includes information that enables landowners and grain growers, etc., to have information for their processes and carrying out their activities.

A Doppler radar is one of the types of equipment that can be made available, but I am advised that the bureau indicates there is not a large problem in terms of black spots, or dead spots, in terms of that. I know that there has been feedback from some farmers on Eyre Peninsula advocating for that particular mechanism. I am happy to seek further information about the various options that are available, but would emphasise that a Doppler radar is simply one among a suite of possible options that can be used.