When it opens in 2027, the new weather radar will provide coverage for the Barkly region between Alice Springs and Katherine. Image: BoM screenshot.
The Federal and Territory governments have announced a new Bureau of Meteorology weather radar will be installed at Tennant Creek Airport in the Top End’s Barkly region.
The new radar is being jointly funded by the Federal and Northern Territory governments as part of the Barkly Regional Deal and is expected to be completed by mid-2027. Its coverage will include Tennant Creek, Elliott and smaller townships and First Nations communities.
Currently, there are just five radars in the Northern Territory — at Alice Springs, Darwin (Berrimah), Gove, Katherine/Tindal, and Warruwi in Northern Arnhem Land — leaving vast swathes of the Territory’s central regions with no coverage.
The airport site was selected because it has an existing BoM lease, connection to three-phase mains power is already available, and an on-site building is suitable for housing the radar equipment. The radar has already been constructed and is being prepared for shipping and installation once the foundations at its intended site have been poured.
The high-power, S-band dual-polarised Doppler radar has enhanced performance and range compared with the original Tennant Creek device, and will help to observe rainfall and wind conditions in real time across large areas.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt thanked the NT Government and the Tennant Creek Airport for working with the Bureau of Meteorology on the project.
“Securing a site brings us closer to delivering this vital radar, which will help community, industry and emergency management make more informed decisions in the Barkly region,” he said.
Bureau of Meteorology CEO Dr Stuart Minchin echoed the Minister’s comments.
“We thank the community and Barkly partners for their patience and positive engagement while we confirmed a site, and look forward to delivering a vital radar for the region,” he said.
“With the site now confirmed, our focus will turn to the complex process of installing and calibrating this highly sophisticated piece of infrastructure.”
NT Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development, and Member for Barkly, Steve Edgington, added: “I am pleased that with this site selection, the Barkly’s long-awaited new weather radar is closer to being delivered.
“The Finocchiaro CLP Government remains focused on partnering with the Australian Government to deliver on the Barkly Regional Deal, and this weather radar progress proves it.”
