Media Release: Clayton Utz advises on significant government collaboration to deliver real-time weather data in regional NSW

Sydney, 23 April 2019: Clayton Utz has advised the NSW Department of Industry on a joint initiative with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to deliver new radar weather stations in western NSW.

Through a unique collaboration with funding from the Department of Industry, BOM will appoint a contractor to build, maintain and operate Doppler radar weather stations at Parkes, Brewarrina and Hillston-Ivanhoe.

The Doppler radar weather stations will help deliver real-time rainfall data and wind observations across 321,000 square kilometres of western NSW, assisting emergency services to better anticipate and respond to fires in the region and helping farmers and graziers who need to make business decisions about when to sow, harvest or move stock. 

Clayton Utz advised the NSW Department of Industry around the procurement, delivery and operation of the three Doppler radar weather stations.

Partners Andrew Steele and Ken Saurajen led the transaction, with support from senior associate Max Bryant and lawyer Nicola Bevitt.

The Doppler radar stations are expected to be operational in 2022, with a lifespan of at least 20 years.