CONROY SHOULD GUARANTEE DIGITAL SERVICE FOR YANKALILLA

This evening at a public meeting in Yankalilla I will launch a petition to be tabled in the Federal Parliament in an attempt to force the Federal Government to guarantee Yankalilla residents television services.

In 2013 when the Federal Government intends to switch off the Adelaide analogue television signal, the residents of the district of Yankalilla will be without television reception.

In conjunction with the District Council of Yankalilla, I have been calling for some months now for the Federal Government to introduce a black spots programme. The programme will ensure that residents in this area can still watch television and enjoy the benefits of the new digital service.

Residents in the Yankalilla area have a long history of being left behind because of topography and a small population. The local council some years ago invested in base stations so that television could be received. Those base stations now need to be upgraded for the digital service.

At this stage residents in the area cannot access digital television missing out on the great benefits that this new service brings to consumers.

The Federal Government has delayed taking any action until the results of other areas are known.

This is a flawed approach. The Federal Government is already aware of the issues in Yankalilla and should therefore move quickly to take action and upgrade the base stations.

Putting this decision off or using an inferior technology such as satellite will leave the residents of this area behind.

For a small amount of money this issue can be fixed.

Media contact: Andrew Ockenden 0421 788 751