hey were responding to a suggestion that Tennant Creek have a weather radar 50% funded by the Australian Government National Stronger Regions Fund subject to an eligible organisation contributing the other 50% of the capital funding and then being responsible for the ongoing maintenance.
I am aware that concerned residents of Tennant Creek have met with the Bureau of Meteorology and were looking at raising funds for a new weather radar. Mr Snowdon said.
,^^^,THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LINGIARI
SENATOR NOVA PERIS OAM
SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
COMMONWEALTH MUST FUND TENNANT CREEK WEATHER RADAR
The installation and maintenance of a weather radar in Tennant Creek is a Commonwealth responsibility and should be 100% funded by the Commonwealth.
Federal member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon and Labor Senator Nova Peris asserted today.
They were responding to a suggestion that Tennant Creek have a weather radar 50% funded by the Australian Government National Stronger Regions Fund subject to an eligible organisation contributing the other 50% of the capital funding and then being responsible for the ongoing maintenance.
I am aware that concerned residents of Tennant Creek have met with the Bureau of Meteorology and were looking at raising funds for a new weather radar. Mr Snowdon said.
However, it is not appropriate for the community of Tennant Creek to bear the burden of the cost of a service that others in Australia receive from the Commonwealth at no direct cost to their community.
They dont pass the bank tin around at community meetings in Darwin or Adelaide to fund and maintain their weather stations. Mr Snowdon said.
A weather radar in Tennant Creek is vital not only for residents, miners and pastoralists, but also for organisations that service the Barkly such as the NT Cattlemens Association, NT Emergency Services, the Northern and Central Land Councils as well as other Commonwealth and Territory Department, Indigenous organisations and charter air services. Senator Peris said.
It is time for the Turnbull Government to prove it is committed to Northern Australia and fully fund the installation and operation of weather radar based in Tennant Creek to service the Barkly, an area the size of Victoria.
Any proposal to share costs for a key Commonwealth responsibility sets a dangerous precedent and regional communities should be wary of these half funded solutions in the bush that in larger centres are 100% funded by the Commonwealth. Mr Snowdon said.
Tuesday 22 September 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: CHANSEY PAECH (SNOWDON) 0431 810 758 CAMERON ANGUS (PERIS) 0404 021 192