Several sites where rainfall could be measured in Orange have been identified amid concerns about official readings at the Orange Regional Airport.
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The Bureau of Meteorology has measured Orange's rainfall from the airport since 1996 but the figures often differ to unofficial backyard readings taken by residents across the city.
Even the Bureau's own figures differ.
Get us a more accurate record of what we're having
- Cr Reg Kidd, Orange mayor
The average mean rainfall at the airport is 894.6 millimetres.
That is less than at a secondary site closer to the city, the Orange Agricultural Institute site in Forest Road where the average mean rainfall in 909.6mm.
And it's well below the figure for a site in the Canobolas State Forest where the BoM measured rainfall from 1949-2018 with an average of 1101.8mm.
Mayor Reg Kidd said it was time city readings were provided to give residents a more accurate figure.
He said he would be asking council this year to contact the BoM asking for city sites to provide readings.
Cr Kidd suggested Duntryleague Golf Club could host a west Orange site, the Botanic Gardens could provide a north Orange figure and a site near the Orange Homemaker Centre could cover the eastern side.
They would add to the figures from the Agricultural Institute which provides a south Orange reading.
And he said the EPA air quality testing station in Jaeger Reserve off Hill Street could also host rainfall recording equipment.
"Even one in the centre of town would be good," he said.
Cr Kidd said the Duntryleague greenkeeper Grant Barrett already kept rainfall figures.
"They keep reasonably accurate records there because of the irrigation."
Cr Kidd said the airport was too far from the city and in a different climate area to provide accurate readings for the centre of Orange.
"It's not indicative of what's happening in town," he said.
"You want to know what's happening in your own patch. I just think it is in an inappropriate spot.
"Get us a more accurate record of what we're having."
He said many people in Orange had rain gauges in their backyards to record rainfall.
"More people are closely following the weather. It's a talking point," he said.
The Bureau has been contacted for comment.
Two weeks ago several residents said they were concerned how they had recorded up to 40mm of rain in their backyards in two days but only 12.4mm was recorded at the airport.
They also called for a city measurement to complement the airport reading.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
