Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP has requested that the Mackay weather radar service be reinstated as quickly as possible, citing safety issues for the region.

Ms Camm wrote to Australian Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek and Queensland Minister for Emergency Services Mark Ryan requesting that Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) upgrade work at Mackay be completed sooner than the advised six-month timeframe.

“The BoM has advised the Mackay Radar Loop service will be unavailable for approximately 26 weeks, or up to six months, while a new radar is installed,” Ms Camm said.

“During this time the nearest available radar is at Bowen, which is too far away to provide accurate data for the Mackay region.”

She said prolonged interruption to the Mackay service would significantly impact the Mackay and Whitsunday community, which had one of the highest levels of boat registration and boating participation in the country.

“A lack of accurate and up-to-date radar information raises several safety issues for this region, particularly as the storm and cyclone seasons approach,” Ms Camm said.

“Our region’s fishing, boating and tourism industries are heavily reliant on accurate weather data for safety at sea, and our industrial service providers rely on storm and lightning alerts to manage workplace safety.

“Recreational fishers and boaters are also dependent on up-to-date and localised BoM weather and storm information for their own safety. Right now they’re all running blind.”

Ms Camm said she requested that the safety of regional Australians be prioritised and the new radar install expedited.