167/04
8 December 2004
Funding boost for TV services in regional Australia
Rural, regional and remote Australia will benefit from the latest funding round of the Australian Government's Television Black Spots Program Senator Helen Coonan, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts said today.
"More than 300 rural and regional households will now receive new and improved access to television services"
"The funding of $367,592 will go towards equipment, installation and site establishment costs, licence fees and technical survey costs to assist households in black spot affected areas. Senator Coonan said
The communities receiving new access to television services include:
• Tallangatta ($150,000 to establish ABC, SBS, TEN, NINE and PRIME)
• Eskdale ($114,950 to establish ABC, SBS, TEN, NINE and PRIME)
• Blackwood ($102,642 to establish SBS, ABC, Imparja and Central Seven)
"This funding reflects the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to ensuring better access to television services by all Australians," Senator Coonan said.
The $35 million Television Black Spots Program forms part of the $120 million Television Fund established with proceeds from the sale of the second tranche of Telstra.
The program has so far provided more than $4.5 million to replace obsolete equipment at 182 retransmission sites.
After today, more than $22.4 million will have been provided by the Australian Government for 858 new services in 247 black spot areas covering approximately 65,608 households across Australia .
"With this funding, the Australian Government has once again shown that it is committed to improving television services in black spot affected areas," Senator Coonan said
Media Contact: Jane McMillan 0438 690 305