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
Work begins on new TV tower at Para Escarpment
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy today marked the start of construction of the $500,000 Para Escarpment digital television facility.
Senator Conroy was joined by Member for Wakefield, Nick Champion, and Member for Makin, Tony Zappia, to turn the first sod. Mr Champion and Mr Zappia have strongly advocated for the new facility for their constituents.
“Today’s event will be welcome news for local residents and delivers on an election commitment the Rudd Government made in 2007,” Senator Conroy said.
“All five broadcasters provide television services to the Adelaide area, however, there are parts of the Para Escarpment that have remained a reception blackspot. This new digital television facility will change that.”
The ABC has agreed to coordinate construction of the facility on behalf of SBS and the Adelaide commercial broadcasters.
The ABC’s transmission services provider, Broadcast Australia, identified a blackspot area containing around 1,390 households. The new facility, to be known as the Craigmore / Hillbank broadcast site, will be targeting those households, and will also reach surrounding areas that may have intermittent reception problems.
Mr Champion said the new facility would make a great difference to television reception for many local residents.
“We’ve seen the project move through the research and planning phases, followed by public consultation and finally receiving planning approval and it’s great to see work begin today,” Mr Champion said.
“Testing is due to comment at the end of the month and Broadcast Australia expects that full-time, ongoing transmissions will commence by mid June.
“Residents will soon receive a Fact Sheet explaining how they can receive the signals and it will be important for households to contact a qualified television technician for advice on improving their digital reception.”
Switchover to digital-only television is occurring region-by-region around Australia until 31 December 2013 and commences in the Mildura/Sunraysia region on 30 June 2010. For more information visit: www.digitalready.gov.au
Date: 14 May 2010
Contact: Suzie Brady 0408 258 457
