28 July
2006 - The Hon Greg Hunt MP, Parliamentary Secretary
with ministerial responsibility for the Australian
Bureau of Meteorology and The Hon Bruce Scott
MP, Federal Member for Maranoa today announced
that the construction of the new meteorological
office at Charleville airport will soon be underway.
"The building, and specialised
equipment such as a hydrogen generation system
for weather balloons, will cost $1.74M,"
said Mr Hunt.
"I congratulate The Hon
Bruce Scott on his commitment to the upgrade project
and his efforts to provide improved weather service
for people in the Charleville region," said
Mr Hunt.
Mr Scott said a Queensland company will build
the new facility.
"I am pleased to announce
that Brisbane firm, R M Pope Pty Ltd, has won
the tender to build the new facility, replacing
a 50-year-old structure that has served the region
well," said Mr Scott.
"A feature of the new building
will be a visitors' room that will allow for meteorological
education and displays for the 500 visitors that
are attracted to the current facility each year,"
said Mr Scott.
The Charleville office is one
of 12 being rebuilt thanks to the Federal Government's
six-year $19.8 million budget increase for the
Bureau of Meteorology combined with $14.2M of
existing Bureau funding.
The Bureau has 50 field offices around Australia.
Noel Martin
