❓ Hon. Hallett questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food about delays in a cost-benefit report on expanding WA's Doppler radar network and the government's efforts to secure federal funding for radar infrastructure. The Minister acknowledges the delays and highlights the federal government's responsibility.
AnsweredQoN 1333Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
AGRICULTURE — DOPPLER RADAR
1333. Hon NIGEL HALLETT to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Could the
minister explain why the department has yet to table a cost–benefit
report into expanding WA's radar network that was due in late
September?
(2) Given that the department outsourced the garnering of
information for this report —
(a) has all the information been
received; and
(b) what has been the cost of this
process?
(3) Who is in charge of this project in the Department of Agriculture
and Food?
(4) How much
longer is WA expected to compete with other key interstate and international
agricultural producers when the lack of technology—predominantly
Doppler radar—places them at such a major disadvantage and restricts
the collection of specialist data for the Bureau of Meteorology and the
Department of Agriculture and Food?
(5) Given that
data from radars enables the bureau to provide more accurate data and better
forecasts and warnings, what action has been taken by the Department of
Agriculture and Food to lobby the federal government for priority in the bureau's
program to fund radars that not only benefit the agriculture sector, but also
provide specialist advice to emergency services and the aviation and mining
industries?
1333. Hon NIGEL HALLETT to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Could the
minister explain why the department has yet to table a cost–benefit
report into expanding WA's radar network that was due in late
September?
(2) Given that the department outsourced the garnering of
information for this report —
(a) has all the information been
received; and
(b) what has been the cost of this
process?
(3) Who is in charge of this project in the Department of Agriculture
and Food?
(4) How much
longer is WA expected to compete with other key interstate and international
agricultural producers when the lack of technology—predominantly
Doppler radar—places them at such a major disadvantage and restricts
the collection of specialist data for the Bureau of Meteorology and the
Department of Agriculture and Food?
(5) Given that
data from radars enables the bureau to provide more accurate data and better
forecasts and warnings, what action has been taken by the Department of
Agriculture and Food to lobby the federal government for priority in the bureau's
program to fund radars that not only benefit the agriculture sector, but also
provide specialist advice to emergency services and the aviation and mining
industries?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) The
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia is in receipt of a final
draft of a report into the availability of mobile phone and Doppler coverage
prepared by the AEC Group. AEC has rationalised its Perth office, which has
caused some delays in finalising the document. DAFWA intends to ensure that the
final report accurately portrays the benefits and costs of both extended
coverage of mobile digital reception and Doppler radar services to the
agricultural sector and rural communities.
(2) (a) Relevant
information has been received and DAFWA is seeking further, limited analysis of
the data.
(b) The project cost is $75 793,
excluding GST.
(3) The acting executive director of business support has had
responsibility for the project.
(4) As advised
previously, the state government is very aware of the potential benefits of
Doppler radar to agriculture, aviation, fire and emergency services and the
broader community; however, I reiterate that Doppler radar and mobile phone
communication are ultimately federal government responsibilities.
(5) Discussions
concerning Doppler radar have been held between senior executives of DAFWA and
the Bureau of Meteorology, with the parties agreeing to work together on the
subject. In addition, the state's perspective on the importance of
Doppler radar has been conveyed to senior officers involved in the preparation
of the federal government's agricultural competitiveness white paper.
question.
(1) The
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia is in receipt of a final
draft of a report into the availability of mobile phone and Doppler coverage
prepared by the AEC Group. AEC has rationalised its Perth office, which has
caused some delays in finalising the document. DAFWA intends to ensure that the
final report accurately portrays the benefits and costs of both extended
coverage of mobile digital reception and Doppler radar services to the
agricultural sector and rural communities.
(2) (a) Relevant
information has been received and DAFWA is seeking further, limited analysis of
the data.
(b) The project cost is $75 793,
excluding GST.
(3) The acting executive director of business support has had
responsibility for the project.
(4) As advised
previously, the state government is very aware of the potential benefits of
Doppler radar to agriculture, aviation, fire and emergency services and the
broader community; however, I reiterate that Doppler radar and mobile phone
communication are ultimately federal government responsibilities.
(5) Discussions
concerning Doppler radar have been held between senior executives of DAFWA and
the Bureau of Meteorology, with the parties agreeing to work together on the
subject. In addition, the state's perspective on the importance of
Doppler radar has been conveyed to senior officers involved in the preparation
of the federal government's agricultural competitiveness white paper.
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