25 February 2005

New Radio Subsidy Scheme for Remote Communities

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today announced a new subsidy scheme to help regional communities establish ABC Radio services in their local area.

"The Radio Self-Help Subsidy Scheme will provide $1.5 million to enable up to 50 communities in rural and regional Australia to set up their own self-help retransmission facilities to access any of the ABC's five radio services - Local Radio, Radio National, ABC NewsRadio, ABC Classic FM or triple j," Senator Coonan said.

A self-help retransmission service requires the installation of a dedicated transmitter to deliver the ABC radio service to the community.

This usually comprises of receiving equipment to pick up the ABC Radio service, either from a satellite or from a nearby ABC transmitter, together with a transmitter and antenna system to broadcast the service to the community.

Subsidies from the Australian Government of up to $30,000 for new transmission services or up to $15,000 to replace obsolete equipment at existing self-help facilities will be available.

"There are currently over 200 self-help ABC Radio retransmission services across Australia. These services are owned and run by local community groups or councils in areas where ABC Radio transmission is otherwise unavailable," Senator Coonan said.

"Today's announcement is part of the Government's ongoing commitment to ensure that all Australians have access to a wide range of quality media services regardless of where they live.

Information on the scheme guidelines and application forms are available from www.abc.net.au/reception or by calling the ABC's Reception Advice Line on 1300 139 994.