The operators of South Australia’s Mesonet weather station network have announced they are undertaking wind-down discussions.
The COtL directors responsible for operation of South Australia’s Mesonet said earlier this week they are in high level discussions to avoid its shutdown at the end of this year.
The Mesonet is a network of 114 high-spec weather stations primarily aimed at reducing spray drift damage from agrichemicals.
It covers approximately 50% of SA’s cropping regions and is the only source of hazardous inversion data – crucial data required by growers to comply with legislated safe-spray practices.
The Mesonet also supplies a range of real-time weather data supporting emergency management and a wide range of industries across regional South Australia.
COtL Mesonet director Dr John Nairn issued a statement this week that said collaborative studies with the Bureau of Meteorology have established the high quality of the Mesonet’s data and its ability to improve regional weather forecasts, particularly frost forecasts.
“The Mesonet receives no ongoing funding support other than its user-pay subscriptions,” he said.
“The business case for the Mesonet is intrinsically tied to safe spray practices and stopping spray drift. Due to slower-than-expected uptake and revenue shortfalls, the Mesonet is unable to continue operating.
“The Mesonet data can continue to be viewed on its website (www.mesonet.com.au) until Christmas 2024. Operation beyond that date is dependent upon the outcome of current discussions.”
Dr Nairn said discussions were taking place to establish a firm financial model for future operation of the Mesonet.
“Without renewed funding COtL directors will likely shut down the network before Christmas 2024,” he said.
Dr Nairn said the Mesonet weather network was built to provide real-time hazardous inversion data to help stop spray drift damage and provide high resolution weather data for emergency services and industry in regional South Australia.
“The team behind the Mesonet have demonstrated that a world-class weather station network can provide real-time safe-spray information as well as supply BoM-standard meteorological data suitable for a wide variety of end-uses. We’re proud to say that we achieved this goal,” he said.
“Implementation of the Mesonet was made possible with capital fund injection from three consecutive South Australian State Governments and the inspiration of directors skilled in agronomy, meteorology and data science engineering.
“With no ongoing funding arrangement, and limited user-pay uptake COtL is unable to cover ongoing expenses. COtL has been unable to generate an income to fund two staff essential for sustained operation of the network. In five years of operation, the Mesonet has been sustained from directors volunteering their resources, which is no longer sustainable.
“COtL directors sincerely thank all of our co-contributors, hosting landowners and customers for their support over the last six years – we could not have done it without you.”
