By CHERIE DONNELLAN
GEELONG and Bellarine residents using analog televisions without digital set-top boxes will lose transmission from next Wednesday.
The Digital Switchover Taskforce will upgrade the Highton transmission tower which services many Geelong and Bellarine suburbs between morning and early afternoon on July 10, six months before Melbourne’s cut-off date.
DST spokeswoman Nerida O’Loughlin advised residents requiring assistance in switching to digital transmission should have received information about the Household Assistance Scheme.
“For households in and around Geelong that require practical assistance to make the switch, such as the elderly, people with disabilities and their carers, the Household Assistance Scheme is also available,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“The Household Assistance Scheme is available to residents in and around Geelong. The Department of Human Services has written to those eligible people inviting them to opt-in for assistance.
“The Scheme provides an entire package of assistance and is free to eligible households,” she said.
“Assistance includes the supply and installation of a set-top box, a demonstration of how to use the equipment, 12 month after care support and equipment warranty and where necessary, antenna and cable upgrades if the resident owns their home.”
Residents from Newtown, Lara, Corio, Geelong, North Geelong, Highton, Grovedale, Mount Duneed, Moolap, Wallington, Ocean Grove, Drysdale, Portarlington and Barwon Heads will experience a short period without free-to-air channels while works commence.
