Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has confirmed Federal funding will be provided for a TV tower at Crookwell.

He said an application will be submitted this week through Regional Broadcasters Australia Holdings (RBAH), in consultation with Upper Lachlan Shire Council, to the Federal Department of Communications for funding to build a re-transmission tower.

“I can confirm that, after many months of lobbying from myself and Council, the Minister for Communications has agreed to provide financial assistance for much needed terrestrial television infrastructure in Crookwell.

“RBAH, in close consultation with Upper Lachlan Shire Council, will lodge an application this week with the Department of Communications and I understand the Department will be reviewing this proposal in coming weeks to confirm costings and location of the tower.

“I have been pushing all parties towards a comprehensive solution to fix the TV reception in Crookwell and the end is now in sight,” Mr Taylor said.

“There has been much negotiation on two stumbling blocks: the need for a licence to operate a retransmission tower and funding to build the tower.

“After persistent discussions with the Minister for Communications last year, I am encouraged that discussions between the RBAH and the ACMA regarding the necessary regulatory approvals to operate a retransmission are progressing. This has been no small breakthrough, as the licence approval had been a problem for well over a decade.

“I am well aware of how long Crookwell has been putting up with poor TV reception.

“Finalising the proposal is the next important step and I am committed to making this happen. I look forward to hearing confirmation of the final funding agreement in coming weeks,” Mr Taylor said. 

Caption: Angus Taylor with Upper Lachlan Shire Mayor John Shaw, confirming Federal funding for a retransmission tower to fix TV reception in Crookwell.