REDLAND City has come of age and is finally on the national weather map after mayor Karen Williams announced a $150,000 weather station will open in Cleveland in June.
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The automated station will give real-time reports on Redland temperature, rainfall, wind speeds and humidity.
The Bureau of Meteorology will use the data on its national forecasting register pushing Redland on to the weather map as a major information hub.
It will be the only government weather centre in Redlands, which has not had its own centralised rain gauge since the state closed a service at Redlands Research Station, known as the DPI Centre, in Ormiston, in March 2013.
The new station, at council's Cleveland Water Treatment Plant, will be 2km from the former research centre and may allow the continuation of historical data from the area dating back to 1953.
The weather station will be funded through a $150,000 grant from the state government's Natural Disaster Mitigation Program after Cr Williams lobbied for the funding.
Cr Williams said until the new station was built, real-time weather statistics for Redland were unavailable and the city "approximated" readings using Brisbane Airport data.
Southern Brisbane suburbs, Logan, Ipswich, Scenic Rim and the northern Gold Coast will all use data from the Weippin Street station in Cleveland.
Council Disaster Manager Mike Lollback said the up-to-date statistics would help safeguard the city in times of extreme rain, wind or temperatures.
“This has been something that the mayor has pushed hard for because it will put Redland on the map literally, but also help keep residents safe,” he said.
“With better data we have a better chance to warn residents of imminent bad weather, which can be a problem in a city of islands.
“Under legislation, council has the responsibility to coordinate disaster management across police, firies, Energex, Red Cross and it is the conduit for information.
“We will be able to get real-time data into council and then out to residents without having to rely on interpretations of readings from Brisbane Airport.”
The station will be a joint venture between council, state and federal governments and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Redland stumped up $150,000 over 10 years to maintain the station, which will be built using $150,000 of Bureau of Meteorology equipment.
Mr Lollback said the station would provide data specifically for the people of Redlands but would also offer better forecasting for all of southern Brisbane.
Information will be published on the Bureau of Meteorology’s website and residents can also check for warnings and updates on interactive maps on council’s website.
Redland City also has a private weather station, operated by Capalaba-based business Lambdatron whose data can be accessed at www.redlandweather.com.au