Eyre Peninsula councils and grain producers are urging the State and Federal governments to commit to delivering a new Doppler radar for the region.
Currently the Eyre Peninsula is only serviced by Doppler radars in Adelaide and Ceduna, leaving a coverage gap across one of South Australia’s most productive farming regions.
Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association (EPLGA) President Mayor Dean Johnson said this meant communities, industries and emergency services were operating with limited real-time weather intelligence.
“Councils across the Eyre Peninsula are responsible for disaster preparedness, response and recovery, but are doing it without accurate local weather data,” Mayor Johnson said.
“A Doppler radar would significantly improve severe weather forecasting, emergency management decision-making and community safety.”
“Giant Gap” in Weather Forecasting Critical to Grain Growers
Grain Producers SA (GPSA) CEO Brad Perry said the absence of accurate, localised radar coverage was a major gap for grain producers managing risk in an increasingly volatile climate.
“Eyre Peninsula grain producers operate in one of Australia’s most exposed and variable production environments,” Mr Perry said.
“From harvest operations and spray decisions through to storm events and frost risk, timely and precise weather data is critical to both safety and productivity.”
Mr Perry said relying on radar coverage from Adelaide or Ceduna left large parts of the Peninsula in a giant blind spot.
“This radar gap doesn’t just affect farming operations, it affects freight movements, emergency services, and the safety of regional communities. It beggars belief that in this day and age we can have such a massive radar black hole” he said.
“Grain production on the Eyre Peninsula contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to South Australia’s economy each year. It makes sense that the infrastructure supporting that production is fit for purpose.”
Liberals Make $5 million Pre-Election Promise – Other Parties Urged to Follow
Ahead of this month’s State Election, the EPLGA, Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula (RDAEP) and GPSA are calling for a joint funding commitment from the South Australian and the Australian governments to design, construct and commission a Doppler weather radar for the Eyre Peninsula.
“This is a nation-building piece of infrastructure,” RDAEP Chair Sue Chase AM said.
“It supports public safety, underpins regional productivity and strengthens climate resilience. With an election and a federal budget approaching, we want clear commitments from all parties.”
“We appreciate that the South Australian Liberal Party have recently made a $5 million pre election commitment to contribute to a new radar but we want to see this matched by SA Labor and other parties,” Mrs Chase added.
Mr Perry said a radar installation would be a practical, forward-looking investment in regional South Australia.
“We are asking for a clear commitment to fund and deliver this project,” he said.
“Grain producers are making significant investments in on-farm technology, sustainability and risk management. Governments need to match that commitment with the public infrastructure that enables regional industries to thrive.”
“Better data means better decisions and in agriculture, that can be the difference between protecting a crop and losing it.”
