ABA decision to grant TAB new FM transmitters welcomed

14/1/95

Punters in regional areas throughout Western Australia will benefit from an expanded racing radio network following a recent Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) decision to grant the TAB 15 new low-powered FM transmitters.

Racing and Gaming Minister Max Evans today welcomed the ABA decision, which he said would provide a much needed racing broadcast service outside the metropolitan area.

Mr Evans said the approvals were part of an application by the WA TAB for 30 such transmitters to provide racing broadcasts throughout the State.

"The current situation is that the TAB provides an open broadcast service transmitted to the metropolitan area on the 1206 AM frequency," Mr Evans said.

"However, race followers who live outside the metropolitan region are disadvantaged because they either have no racing broadcast or a very limited service available."

Mr Evans said the 15 new low-powered FM transmitters on the 88.00 frequency were similar to the highly-successful tourist information service which operated in many country towns.

He said that while the new racing service would not cover an entire region, it would cover a radius of between five and 15 kilometres.

"This is a method of service delivery which has proved very successful in other States and should prove to be very effective in WA," Mr Evans said.

The Minister said towns to benefit from the new transmitters included Newman, Karratha, Port Hedland, Derby, Broome, Wagin, Narrogin, Katanning, Northam, Moora, Carnarvon and Geraldton.

The TAB was negotiating with the ABA on an application for an additional 15 transmitters for the South-West and other regional centres such as Kalgoorlie.

"There have been some problems with providing services in the South-West because of interference with the local television band, but the TAB is confident that alternative arrangements can be negotiated successfully with the ABA," Mr Evans said.

The new transmitters will be installed over the next three months with official broadcasts due to begin soon after.

Media contact: Paul Plowman (09) 222 9595