LODDON Shire residents have called for a measurement station to provide a more accurate picture of their weather.
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Mayor Councillor Cheryl McKinnon said she was advocating for for a weather station to be situated in the Loddon Shire, to give better information about the area.
The shire takes its weather forecast from the Bendigo Airport, while rainfall stations collect data at Wedderburn, Laanecoorie and Inglewood.
Cr McKinnon said she believed the lack of a weather station was the reason the Loddon Shire was not classified as in drought like neighbouring shires, despite a dry season.
Read more: Victorian council rejects drought funding
She said an "invisible line" across the shire separated the into two difference climate zones, drier to the north.
"We don't feel like Bendigo Airport is an accurate place to measure Loddon Shire's rainfall and weather conditions," Cr McKinnon said.
"That's where we're significantly disadvantaged, because just across our border where conditions are very similar they have a completely different declaration because of where their weather is situated."
The Australian government does not make formal declarations of drought, but it funds a drought assistance program for communities deemed in need of help.
The Buloke and Gannawarra Shires - both of which adjoin Loddon - are both eligible for this drought communities program.
At least 50 per cent of a local government area must fall into the lowest five per cent of rainfall observations to be eligible for the drought communities program.
A government spokesperson said the program also took into account economic exposure to drought, related manufacturing employment and population size.
Cr McKinnon said much of the Loddon Shire was struggling after a very dry season, despite good crops to the south.
She said a lot of the livestock had been hand fed for months.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said many factors needed to be considered before installing a weather station, with work in conjunction with the local council.
"The Bureau welcomes discussing the installation of additional weather observation equipment with any local government organisations that may wish to fund it," the spokesperson said.
Loddon farmer Graham Nesbit said a weather station would highlight the fact that the area was exceptionally dry.
Mr Nesbit said his pocket - halfway between Inglewood and Wedderburn - had been exceptionally dry for the past 12 months. It was his third consecutive year with under 250 millimetres of rainfall.
Mr Nesbit said more weather information would mean farmers could make better decisions. He said a new radar station at Rainbow would hopefully improve accuracy.
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