West Arnhem Shire Council has expressed concern that the shift to digital television transmission may increase the cost of free-to-air broadcasts for residents of remote communities.
The concerns follow advice from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy that existing re-transmission facilities for analogue signals will be replaced with individual satellite dishes, VAST set top boxes and associated cabling for each household in four of the shire’s communities.
Mayor Ralph Blyth said several Councillors had concerns about the complexity of the broadcast infrastructure required to receive digital transmissions.
“On the one hand, Council welcomes the Australian Government’s decision to fund the initial installation of the new equipment to bring the same digital television viewing options to remote West Arnhem Shire households as elsewhere in Australia.
“But on the other, we remain concerned that technical issues and equipment damage in remote communities will impose a cost burden on residents that will not apply to other parts of the country.
“Damage to property is a fact of life in remote communities, and West Arnhem Shire endures extreme climatic conditions.
“Council does not want remote residents to be disadvantaged by a lack of access to qualified technicians in cases of equipment failure or damage.”
Mayor Blyth also said the Federal Government had not done enough to educate remote residents about scheduled changes to television broadcasting.
“There is a very real danger that residents seeking assistance with technical issues and repairs will turn to Councils who have nominally been responsible for maintaining analogue television transmission equipment in the past.
“Local government bodies are not equipped with the technical expertise or financial resources to deal with the challenges likely to arise once the new digital infrastructure has been installed.”
Council has agreed to the Satellite Subsidy Scheme so that remote Shire residents don’t miss out on digital television.
“We just wish that more was being done to ensure community members don’t end up paying for something that is free everywhere else in Australia.” Mayor Blyth said.
