The Commonwealth Government has allocated $1,05 million as part of the Radio Blackspots funding program, so that “regional and remote Australia will enjoy new or improved commercial radio services”.
Announcing the funding, Communications Minister Alston said:
”The Howard Government recognises that Australians in some regional and remote areas are under-served by commercial radio, and made a 2001 election commitment to address the problems through the Commercial Radio Blackspots Program.”
Retransmission facilities will be established for commercial radio services in 36 identified Blackspot communities under this first round of the $5 million program.
As a result of the Government funding, commercial radio services will either be considerably improved or available for the first time to these communities.
The funding will be provided to assist commercial radio broadcasters with costs related to equipment, installation, site establishment and licence fees.
In announcing the funding the Minister recognised “the significant role played by Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) in bringing the program to the point where services are to be funded.”
CRA chief executive Joan Warner welcomed the funding. She told radioinfo:
“This is great news for people living in regional and isolated areas of Australia, who will soon be able to enjoy access to free-to-air commercial radio services and the same high quality programming available to metropolitan listeners.”
“We are delighted that the Government has recognised the important role commercial radio plays in providing information, entertainment and social interaction for regional audiences. All age groups will benefit from the services, but especially young people who are so often deprived of entertainment in remote communities.”
Music-based FM stations will be among those now able to extend their services. Areas benefiting from the first round of the three-year $5 million program are:
· Ace Radio – Kaniva/Nhill (Vic) – new service
· Capital Radio Network – Cabramurra, Crookwell, Khancoban, Talbingo (all NSW) – all improved service
· DMG – Corryong (Vic) – new service; Falls Creek (Vic), Mossman and St George (Qld) – improved services
· North West Radio – all 11 WA communities to receive a new second North West service (Argyle, Cue, Dalwallinu, Eneabba, Jurien Bay, Kalbarri, Lancelin, Leeman, Leinster, Meekatharra, Perenjori)
· RG Capital – Corryong (Vic) – improved service; Omeo (Vic) – new service
· Rebel Radio – all 11 Qld communities to receive a new service (Alpha, Banana, Collinsville, Cooktown, Dirranbandi, Julia Creek, Karumba, Monto, Normanton, Richmond, Weipa)
· Radio Outback – Barcaldine, Blackall, Tambo, Winton – all new services (all Qld).