New digital television tower to be built at Adelaide's Para Escarpment
- — 18 May, 2010 13:08
Work has begun on a new digital television broadcast facility in Adelaide. Senator Stephen Conroy has marked the start of construction of the Para Escarpment development in Adelaide by turning the first sod.
Conroy stated that this move was necessary for the area, which has been without full TV reception for some time now. "Today’s event will be welcome news for local residents and delivers on an election commitment the Rudd Government made in 2007,” he 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.”
Member for Wakefield Nick Champion added that the move was vital for the people, and is an indication of things to come. “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,” he 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.”
The $500,000 project will be coordinated by the ABC, on behalf of SBS and Adelaide's commercial broadcasters. It will provide digital television reception for a blackspot area containing 1390 households.
