The recent, and disappointing for most, passage of ex-TC Trevor through the Barkly exposed a big gap in the NT's weather coverage.

Radars in Alice Springs and Tindal failed to have the reach to provide much information during an expected emergency situation.

There was no information on a wanted upgrade for the Tindal radar to include doppler tracking to warn residents of Katherine from increasingly regular high winds.

Regional Services Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie said the new doppler radar would further enhance the Bureau of Meteorology's weather services for the community to support local agriculture, pastoral, transport and mining industries, as well as the local emergency services response.

"The Barkly region community has strongly advocated for the benefits that additional real-time weather information can bring to the region," Minister McKenzie said.

"We have been consulting closely with the Barkly community to understand their priorities about how to improve local services for the region as part of the Regional Deal.

"The ferocity of Tropical Cyclone Trevor and the associated rainfall and flooding impacts which arose when the system moved through the Barkly region recently only underscored the value of additional coverage.

"Access to the weather and water information available through the new radar can help mitigate the impact of floods by allowing farmers to move livestock or mobile infrastructure to higher ground in advance of floodwaters.

"It will also support motorists and freight to better plan safer, cost-efficient journeys and reduce the occurrence of people being stranded due to rain and other weather events.

"The radar will greatly support aerial medivacs, reducing risks to incoming and outgoing flights to improve safety and medical access for the remote communities in Barkly.

"This investment builds on other initiatives announced for the region including the Liberal and National Government's $30 million Barkly Regional Deal, which is all about the three levels of government working together to support local economic and social development."

Minister Nigel Scullion said the investment would provide for the installation, operation and maintenance of a new radar in the Tennant Creek region.

"The new radar will be located at a new site to provide optimal coverage for Tennant Creek. The site will be selected in accordance with Bureau of Meteorology criteria to ensure efficient and effective radar coverage to meet the specific needs of the region," he said.

"The process for site selection will involve detailed site inspections and tests to ensure that Doppler radar performance and coverage is optimised.

"The new radars and flood infrastructure will complement the extensive suite of observing systems already available to the Bureau and public, including existing radars, satellites, upper air and surface observations and advanced computer modelling."

The Federal Government is providing $15.4 million in the radar and the NT Government will make a $2.4 million contribution.

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