ABC radio broadcasting sites across Australia received important resilience infrastructure upgrades.
The Broadcasting Resilience Program is now complete, with 131 projects constructed and operational. This includes 126 upgrades to 98 ABC AM and FM sites across the country and the roll out of 5 mobile broadcasting assets (MBAs) at strategic locations.
The installation of back up emergency power systems and/or upgrades to back up satellite infrastructure will help keep radio stations broadcasting even if they are affected by natural disasters or severe weather events.
This successful program has already proven its worth, keeping stations running last year during the Tasmanian floods, the Wilcannia (NSW) storms and the Dimbulah (Qld) fires. Forty-two of the 48 sites that received emergency power upgrades under the program have utilised the stand-by power mode, providing 1,215 hours of emergency power.
MBAs can be rapidly deployed during emergencies if ABC local radio transmission fails, including during power outages caused by severe weather.
They also serve as a community power supply so people can charge essential devices such as mobile phones, giving them access to vital services and enabling them to keep in touch with loved ones.
The Broadcasting Resilience Program is part of the government's $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
Find out more
- Read the Minister's media release
- Learn about the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia