Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
100 days to digital switchover in Mildura Sunraysia
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy today officially launched the 100 day countdown to digital switchover in the Mildura Sunraysia region.
Mildura Sunraysia will be the first region in Australia to switch to digital-only free-to-air television in 100 days and Senator Conroy visited Mildura to unveil a countdown clock.
“This is a significant milestone in the switchover to digital television across Australia by 2013,” Senator Conroy said.
“Households in Mildura Sunraysia already lead the way in getting ready for digital TV, with 85 per cent of households already converted at the end of January 2010.”
“In addition, around 1,500 households have been helped to make the switch to digital TV through the Government’s Household Assistance Scheme.”
Senator Conroy said the Government and broadcasters were working closely together to ensure households in Mildura Sunraysia would be able to enjoy the benefits of digital TV when the analog signals were switched off on 30 June 2010.
“New digital transmission facilities are being established by broadcasters at Ouyen and Underbool,” Senator Conroy said.
“The Government is also fully funding a new satellite service to deliver the full range of digital TV channels to people who cannot get adequate reception from terrestrial transmitters. The new services will be available around a month before the switchover date.”
The Digital Switchover Taskforce will continue to keep people in Mildura Sunraysia informed about the switchover to digital TV through local advertising and information campaigns.
“The switchover campaign will be stepped up over the coming weeks to ensure those people yet to make the switch know that the switchover is fast approaching, and what they need to do to get ready for 30 June,” Senator Conroy said.
Advice on how to get ready for digital TV is available from the Digital Ready information line at 1800 20 10 13, or online at www.digitalready.gov.au
Date: 23 March 2010
Contact: Suzie Brady 0408 258 457
