Avon intention to cover inland S. Island

Press, 23 June 1978, Page 3

Avon intention to cover inland S. Island

Special correspondent Tourist and business interest in the Waitaki Valley, inland from Oamaru, want any future radio station in North Otago to cover their area. Four groups yesterday asked the Broadcasting Tri.bunal to place this condition on either Radio New Zealand or Radio Avon if a broadcasting warrant was i granted them for an Oamaru radio station. The tribunal in Oamaru is hearing proposals by the two parties for radio sta- ' tions at Oamaru and Ash- ' burton. I North Otago persons and groups began yesterday to. give evidence on the propo1 sals. Mr M. H. Douglas, a tourist operator, of Otematata. said that the Waitaki Valley! . was one of the greatest and most comprehensive recrea-1 tion areas in New Zealand. The valley was referred to) , in the Radio Aotea proposal,! but was not mentioned ini Radio New Zealand's plans, I he said. Radio Aotea contained! many- signs of at least some! recognition of the existence) and needs of this area. “It is very probable that) within the next 12 months) the area proposed to be cov-l

I ered by Radio Aotea will have some form of regional control by local bodies. ’ “One programme for the '(entire district would have ' many advantages,” said Mr i Douglas. A North Otago businessman, Mr A. C. Spivey, supsported Radio New Zealand’s 'proposals, which he said ’■were best suited to the ‘ I needs of Oamaru. ’! His view, as a retailer and radio New Zealand adverti- . ser, was that any Oamaru ’) station should have a strong identity with the district. “In view of the very ! strong recreation and sports , links between Oamaru and Dunedin, I believe that Oam- ' aru people would continue to listen to Dunedin radio J stations, except when a :loc a I 1 y-originated pro'!gramme was available. j “As a retailer, it is my .[view that it would be necesI sary to continue to advertise ,! with the Dunedin com- ( mercial stations during )j periods when there was-no (locally originated programme available.” Mr Spivy said that basically he preferred private 1 enterprise, and if Radio Aotea proposals incorporated j segments of Radio Otago’s )programme he would probably support this.