Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 5 December 2011:

In regard to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM):

(1) What are the current staff numbers in the BoM field offices in north and northwest Queensland.

(2) Have those numbers changed over the past year.

(3) Are there any plans to decrease these staffing levels over the next 3 years.

(4) Are there plans to move any of these positions to the BoM head offices in either Brisbane or Melbourne.

(5) Can the number of Observers, Technical Officers (Meteorology) and Meteorologists be provided, as at December 2011 (present time) and as at December 2001 (10 years ago) for each of the following:

(a) those located in each state and territory capitals, including a total of all; and

(b) those located outside the state and territory capitals (exclude from these figures in (a) and (b) staff specifically dedicated to defence and civil aviation).

(6) What are the current numbers of Senior Executive Service (SES) staff located at the: (a) Head Office in Melbourne; and (b) in the state capitals.

(7) What were the staff numbers 5 years ago for SES positions located at the: (a) Head office in Melbourne; and (b) the state capitals.

(8) Is the new radar at Herveys Range in Townsville, built to replace an old radar at Mount Stuart during 2011, providing accurate forecasts.

(9) Are there any recorded incidents where showers in the region of the Townsville Airport were not 'seen' by the Herveys Range radar; if so, can details be provided.