22 September 2006

Over 6 million listeners to benefit from ABC Local Radio and NewsRadio extensions

Seventeen communities and more than six million people across Australia will be able to access more ABC radio services, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan announced today.

As part of a three stage rollout ABC NewsRadio will be extended to 13 new areas and two existing NewsRadio services will be enhanced. ABC Local Radio will also be extended to Dubbo, and existing ABC Local Radio services in Wagga Wagga will be enhanced.

“The ABC can be a lifeline for local communities and the Australian Government is committed to ensuring more Australians can access as many of the ABC’s services as possible,” Senator Coonan said.

“At the last election the Australian Government committed to extending ABC NewsRadio services and enhancing Local Radio services.

“This first stage rollout, to commence next year, will provide NewsRadio coverage to approximately 1.2 million people. A further 5 million people in Dubbo, Hobart, Sydney and Wagga Wagga will also benefit from enhancements to existing NewsRadio or Local Radio services.”

“The ABC advises that stages 2 and 3 of the rollout have the potential to extend services to a further 3 million people.”
ABC NewsRadio began broadcasting in August 1994 and is Australia's only live, national news network.

It broadcasts continuously, giving listeners 24 hour access to breaking news, sport, finance, weather, and live coverage of Federal Parliament.

NewsRadio is broadcast in each of Australia's capital cities plus Newcastle, the Gold Coast, and Gosford and it is also accessible over the Internet. It is estimated that NewsRadio covers around 78 per cent of the Australian population. Once all three stages of the rollout have been completed, the ABC estimates over 95 per cent of the population will have coverage.

ABC Local Radio has an estimated national penetration rate of more than 99 per cent and is often the only mobile source of vital weather and emergency service information for Australians living in rural, regional and remote Australia. The Local Radio extension in Dubbo City and its enhancement in Wagga Wagga will provide more comprehensive coverage of this vital ABC service to these communities.

ABC Local Radio and NewsRadio extensions – stage 1 sites