LONG before the infuriating screech of dial-up internet, there was the hum and buzz of radio. But for residents of Tara and Meandarra, radio services are about to be switched off after Rebel Media announced they were economically unsustainable.
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Rebel FM services were rolled-out as part of the Commercial Radio Blackspots Program and in partnership with the former shire councils.
The aim of the federal government initiative was to deliver new or improved commercial radio services to regional communities where it was not commercially viable for licensees to provide coverage.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown said Rebel Media had put forward a proposal to council to take the services out of Tara and Meandarra, and shift them to Miles and Chinchilla.
Cr Brown said services in Wandoan were also at risk of closing if private funding could not be found to support the expansion and ongoing operational costs.
"Rebel Media expected that council would provide broadcast equipment in Tara and Meandarra to replace the equipment being removed," he said.
"I'm sorry but that's not our core business."
Cr Brown said the proposal was not in the spirit of the Commercial Radio Blackspots Program and therefore could not be supported by council.
"Council made it clear that it wished to see the current arrangements continue, with any expansion of services being the sole responsibility of Rebel Media and we cannot allocate funds to support the commercial operation of a private enterprise.
"We'd love to see the services continue, however the commercial reasons behind the decision are understandable and it's their call. Council would like to thank Rebel Media for its support in providing these services to the region for the past seven years."
