Accuracy fears as Townsville loses local experts to Brisbane Weather staff go south
NORTH Queensland weather updates could become less accurate as the Bureau of Meteorology moves to centralise services to Brisbane.
Townsville is expected to lose nine technical staff under the new system, sparking concerns about the loss of local knowledge during weather events.
Sources told the Bulletin without experts on the ground there was a risk forecast briefing services to the public would not account for local understanding of weather effects that are too small- scale for computer models to resolve.
In an email to staff, the bureau’s chief executive Dr Andrew Johnson said the changes were part of a “transformation” of Aviation Meteorological Services. serious
This includes the establishment of national specialist technical teams, who would be responsible for service delivery to the general community for high impact weather.
“It is proposed that to the greatest extent possible, these teams will be based in Brisbane and Melbourne,” he said.
Dr Johnson said the bureau would aim for a staged implementation of the transformation to be completed by the end of 2020.
In a statement a bureau spokesman said the transformation was designed to give staff more time to work closely with the community.
“A proposed new approach to the production of forecasts . . . is to take maximum benefit of the bureau’s national footprint, available technology and national pool of staff,” he said.
Community and Public Sector Union ( CPSU) Queensland assistant secretary Amy Smith called the new plan a “disaster” for local communities.
“Our community relies upon locally based and experienced forecasters who are pivotal in predicting the unique weather systems of North Queensland,” she said.
“Someone in the southeast . . . looking at a screen just won’t cut it.”
Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said the changes could be “catastrophic” for Townsville, not just for job losses.
“The people who have worked for the BOM on the ground have had very strong networks of other ther people in the NATURE lovers have the chance to wander through a garden wonderland this weekend, while raising money for a cancer- free future.
Award- winning gardener Natalie Pace will open her private half- acre of natural beauty in the middle of a pineapple farm tomorrow.
Ms Pace has received awards in the Townsville Bulletin Garden Competition and said visitors could stroll through a colourful space full or orchids, roses, gerberas and more.
“It’s a lovely feeling to see people just walking around and enjoying our garden and knowing their donation is going to a great cause,” she said.
“There will be tea, coffee, scones and a sausage sizzle available.”
Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan surrounding regions, such as people living out on properties, and have used those networks to talk about what weather they’re experiencing,” she said.
“If we look at Cyclone Debbie for example, what was coming out of Brisbane was not fully accurate, but what was coming out of here in Townsville was accurate.”
Ms O’Toole said she would write to the appropriate minister to express her deep concern about leaving Townsville without technical staff. said the funds from Ms Pace’s garden showing would support cancer research, prevention programs and patient support.
Entry to the garden is $ 5 with morning and afternoon tea also available for $ 5, with all proceeds donated fully to Cancer Council.
Visit Ms Pace’s garden tomorrow from 8.30am to 4.30pm at 16 Balgal Beach Rd, Rollingstone.
The garden opening is part of Cancer Council Queensland’s Do It For Cancer fundraising campaign. Visit doitforcancer. com. au for more information.