HCJB Australia, which broadcasts on shortwave from Kununurra in Western
Australia, has been granted planning approval for 31 new transmission
towers, which will enable the station to become a truly worldwide
broadcaster. Coverage from the existing three towers is restricted to
South-East Asia and the Pacific region.

The Wyndham-East Kimberley Shire council last night voted 6-3 to allow
construction to go ahead. Transmitter site manager Mike Moore said the plan
had always been to build up to 31 towers, but the approval process had taken
seven years and been "agonising" due to objections from local residents. Mr
Moore said the necessary land still had to be acquired from the state
government, but it had indicated that would occur in the near future.

Wyndham-East Kimberley Shire president Barbara Johnson said the radio towers
had been an emotive issue with some residents worried about the health and
aesthetic implications of shortwave radio. Some residents had also been
concerned about possible Islamic reaction to the presence of a large
Christian radio station, but Mrs Johnson said "I don't know that Islamic
people are going to worry about a few radio towers in a little tiny place in
outback Australia. If people are saying that because they're worried
Christian messages will be transmitted into Muslim countries - well it
really is a matter of turning your radio off if you don't like it."

Construction of the towers could cost up to $20 million, Mr Moore said. Mrs
Johnson said this would provide an economic boost for Kununurra, which has a
population of 5500.

(Source: Sunday Times, Australia)

(via Media Network)