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There is a tradition in Australia of smaller or more isolated communities funding the provision of commercial or national broadcasting services that they would not otherwise receive. Under the self-help retransmission arrangements, community groups or local councils purchase and maintain the equipment necessary to receive and locally retransmit a broadcasting service (radio or television) from either a nearby terrestrial transmitter or a satellite.

A guide to the self-help retransmission arrangements is available from the Australian Communication and Media Authority. A copy of the guide may be obtained from the Authority's website http://www.acma.gov.au/acmainter or by calling on 1800 22 6667.

The following subsidy schemes have been established to assist communities that wish to improve their existing access to broadcasting services by funding the establishment of self-help retransmission services.

ABC Local Radio Self-help Rebroadcasting Subsidy Scheme: In December 2000, the ABC launched its Local Radio Self-help Rebroadcasting Subsidy Scheme. This Scheme provides communities in cyclone incident areas with the opportunity to apply for funding to establish their own ABC Local Radio self-help retransmission service that will enable them to gain access to the latest news and weather reports. The Scheme provides funding of up to $50,000 for the establishment of a new Local Radio self-help retransmission service and up to $25,000 to replace obsolete equipment for an existing self-help service.

Communities located north of the Tropic of Capricorn and within 250 kilometres from the coast are eligible to apply for funding assistance under the Scheme. Further information is available via the ABC's Reception Help Line on 1300 13 9994 (local call cost) or the ABC's website on: http://www.abc.net.au/reception/services/selfhelp.htm.

To May 2002, the ABC has approved funding under this Scheme for five Councils or groups to establish seven new ABC Local Radio services.

SBS Self-Help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme: The Government provides SBS with ongoing funding of $500,000 a year to assist communities that wish to establish an SBS radio or television service on a self-help retransmission basis. Under the SBS Self-help Retransmission Subsidy Scheme, SBS will pay 50 per cent of the actual costs (up to a limit of $25,000) associated with purchasing the equipment required to retransmit its radio or television service.

As the Scheme is administered by SBS, all inquiries concerning eligibility for financial assistance should be directed to Mr Dominic McKay of SBS on 02 9430 3173. Further details on this Scheme can also be found on SBS' website: http://www.sbs.com.au/sbs_front/index2.html

To May 2002, 37 Councils or community groups have received, or have been approved to receive, subsidies to establish 42 SBS television and three SBS radio self-help services.

Regional Communications Partnership Self-help Subsidy Scheme: In 2000, the $10 million Regional Communications Partnership Self-help Subsidy Scheme was jointly established by the Commonwealth and Broadcast Australia -- the private owner of the National Transmission Network (NTN). The Commonwealth's $5 million contribution was sourced from the Television Fund that was established with the proceeds from the second sale of Telstra. The Scheme allows self-help retransmission communities in regional and remote Australia that are able to locate their equipment on local NTN sites to pay a subsidised rate to access those sites for a period of 10 years.

Self-help groups are charged a fixed rate of $250 a year plus GST to retransmit ABC or SBS radio or television services. Rates for the retransmission of commercial television or radio services are annually indexed by CPI at 1 July. The applicable rates from 1 July 2001 are $1646 a year plus GST for the first commercial service at a particular site and $687 a year plus GST for a second or additional commercial services at the same site.

It is a matter for community groups or councils to determine whether this represents a more cost-effective way of providing retransmission services than, for example, locating their equipment elsewhere on a non NTN related site such as a Council water tower.

As Broadcast Australia is responsible for administering the Scheme, self-help groups seeking subsidised access to NTN sites should contact that company in the first instance.

All enquiries should be directed to:
Business Development Manager, Television
Broadcast Australia
Tel: 02 8425 4625
Fax: 02 9437 0825
Email: information@broadcastaustralia.com.au

As at 31 March 2002, 25 Councils or groups providing 39 self-help services (five radio and 34 television) had been assisted under this Scheme.

• Document ID: 8469 |
• Last modified: 6 February 2008, 2:11pm