Australia Weather News

For graziers in the outback, checking the forecast is not just a daily habit — it is a lifeline.

Earlier this year, during the biggest flood disaster western Queensland had seen in half a century, people felt like they were "flying blind" due to a lack of observations.

While the Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings, landholders and local councils said a lack of radar coverage made it difficult to know the amount and intensity of rainfall until it was too late.

The federal government has stumped up money for a weather radar in south-west Queensland, but it will take several years for it to be built.

Former state recovery coordinator and Eromanga grazier, Stuart Mackenzie, said the extent of the rainfall came as a surprise.

"It was only after one of the first days … everyone went 'holy smokes'," Mr Mackenzie said.

Some areas recorded double their annual rainfall average within a week.

The catastrophe unfolded during a federal election, and both sides of government were quick to commit $10 million towards building a weather radar in south-west Queensland.

It was something residents said they had been calling for for more than two decades.

So, where is the radar?

The $10 million commitment has been honoured by the federal government, and the Bureau of Meteorology told the ABC it hoped to have a site selected for construction within 12 months.

A spokesperson from the bureau said it would take several years for a new radar to become operational.

However, landholders and south-west councils are worried $10 million is not enough.

"The last quote I heard was $25 million for a radar," Mr Mackenzie said.

"It was a nice commitment during an election campaign, but [when] you make a commitment to [provide] half the money, where does the rest come from?"

The federal government said the investment would "enable the process of building a radar to be completed".

Quilpie Shire Mayor Ben Hall said the council would like to be consulted on where it would be located.

"We're grateful for the commitment so far … for something that's been nearly 25 years in the making for lobbying," he said.

"Unfortunately, it takes devastation to see any action."

River gauges needed

The lack of river gauges in the Bulloo River meant the water level and timing were guesswork for Thargomindah residents as they awaited the flood's peak in April.

There is only one 7-metre gauge, 40 kilometres upriver.

Bulloo Shire Council Mayor John "Tractor" Ferguson said it went under during the recent flooding.

"Once that happened, we had nothing," he said.

"We had a young fella in a helicopter flying up the river every morning, trying to give us some indication of what was happening.

"He was using an old Toyota on the side of the river as a gauge … but that went under."

The bureau has confirmed it is prioritising upgrades to flood-warning assets in south-west Queensland, as well as acquiring assets owned by councils.

"Amongst the approximately 450 flood-warning sites in the south-west region, a total of approximately 250 existing local government-owned assets have been agreed for acquisition."

The bureau is also working on automating its existing manual flood assets.

Flood Warning Infrastructure master plans are also being reviewed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority with local councils.

"Southwest Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils approved their masterplan in 2022, with an update planned on the lessons and experiences of this year's event."