6 July 2004
103/04
BETTER TV RECEPTION FOR PORT STEPHENS AREA
Residents of the New South Wales coastal area around Port Stephens will have better coverage and clearer television reception thanks to a new digital retransmission facility funded by the Howard Government.
The Government is providing $509,292 to construct the facility under the Television Black Spots – Alternative Technical Solutions Program.
This program looks at viable alternative technical solutions for television black spots where no analogue service is available.
The digital re-transmission facility to be constructed on Gan Gan Hill will resolve some of Australia’s most complex black spot areas - Corlette and Salamander Bay, Lemon Tree Passage, Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay, and Fingal Bay.
It was made possible through the cooperation of the Howard Government, Port Stephens Council and commercial and national television broadcasters.
I would particularly like to congratulate the local Member for Paterson, Bob Baldwin, whose persistence and commitment to the project ensured that the reception problems experienced in these areas were resolved.
Thanks largely to Mr Baldwin’s efforts, many residents in these areas will be watching a high standard of television broadcast for the first time.
They can look forward to receiving transmissions from all five television broadcasters: ABC, SBS and the three commercial networks.
Installation of the retransmission facility will begin immediately. However, due to the complex nature of the technology, it is expected that it will take some months to install and will begin operating early in 2005.
Residents will require a set top box and possibly additional receiving equipment to receive transmission. More information about what is required is available by contacting the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts on freecall 1800 680 841.
Through the Alternative Technical Solutions Program and other initiatives, the Government is demonstrating its commitment to the improvement of broadcasting services to rural and regional Australia.
Media Contact: Carina Tan-Van Baren (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373
