The Nationals Federal Member for Mallee John Forrest has welcomed a decision by television broadcasters to install an additional transmission tower at Robinvale.
He says with just 58 days before switchover, there’s a lot more to do across the Mildura licence area to ensure no customer is worse off at switchover on June 30.
“I started carping and cajoling long before anybody else to ensure a better signal at Robinvale, and to their credit the broadcasters have listened, sent people to check the situation out and they have responded quickly,” Mr Forrest said.
“I’m also hearing the Ouyen tower is close to being ready, maybe in a week or two but there’s an enormous amount of infrastructure-type work remaining to be done before the analogue signal’s switched off for good.
“I still believe Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy will have no option but to delay switch-off because not all will be ready and not all the bugs in the system will be sorted.
“I’m also disappointed to hear many complaints that the analogue signal is deteriorating in past weeks. I hope this is not deliberate.
“There are a lot of people in outlying areas who will have to get a satellite service and are still reliant on analogue TV.
“They get pretty hostile if they can’t watch the footy on the weekends.
“In addition, it will take some time for our more remote viewers to switch to satellite when the magic boxes eventually arrive from China and the test transmissions begin.
“Retailers and installers will be in for a busy time, although the towers in Robinvale, Ouyen and Underbool will be a great help in reducing the number who have to use satellite.
“The clock’s ticking away, it seems faster and faster, as June 30 draws near.”
Media contact: John Forrest (03) 5032 4510
