Over the past several years, communities have faced increasingly frequent and severe bushfires, storms, and floods. These incidents threaten lives while also causing power outages and communication failures, cutting people off and putting them at risk. In a country as expansive and disaster-prone as Australia, maintaining reliable access to vital information during crises is essential.

Strengthening Australia’s broadcast resilience: a collaborative effort for safety

Broadcasting has proven to be one of the most reliable communication channels in times of emergency. By delivering real-time updates on weather conditions, evacuation orders, and recovery efforts, broadcast services enable Australians to make informed decisions that protect their lives and property.

Over the past several years, communities have faced increasingly frequent and severe bushfires, storms, and floods. These events not only endanger lives but also disrupt power supplies and communication networks, leaving people isolated and vulnerable.

In response to these challenges, the Australian Government has partnered with BAI Communications to enhance the nation’s broadcasting infrastructure through the Broadcasting Resilience Program (BRP) – a transformative initiative designed to safeguard Australia’s emergency broadcasting capabilities.

A strategic investment in broadcast resilience

The BRP represents a significant investment in Australia’s future, with $25.6 million allocated to enhance the resilience of critical broadcast infrastructure. This funding includes a $20 million contribution from the Australian Government, supported by an additional $5.6 million from BAI Communications.

The program has focused on 98 key broadcast sites across regional and remote Australia, serving a permanent population of approximately 813,277, along with transient populations such as tourists and seasonal workers.

Beyond improving the resilience of ABC Local Radio, the upgrades will also benefit commercial broadcasters and mobile operators that are co-located at these sites, including ABC National Radio, SBS Radio, ABC Television, Southern Cross Television, WIN Television, Seven West Television, Optus, and Vodafone.

Core program components

The Broadcasting Resilience Program was developed to tackle vulnerabilities in Australia’s broadcast infrastructure by focusing on three key areas:

 

  1. Emergency power upgrades

Backup power solutions, including Emergency Power Plants (EPP), Tesla PowerWall 2.0 (PW), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS), have been installed at critical sites. These systems provide a minimum of 24 hours of runtime to ABC Local Radio services, ensuring continuous broadcasting during grid outages.

  1. Diverse Program Inputs

With 77 program input upgrades completed, the BRP has bolstered the reliability of satellite and broadcast inputs, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality, uninterrupted content even during adverse conditions. The program enables seamless failover to alternative sources in the event of disruption.

  1. Mobile Broadcast Assets (MBAs)

Five state-of-the-art Mobile Broadcast Assets (MBAs) have been deployed to strengthen the country’s ability to respond to emergencies. These mobile assets are equipped to function as standalone transmission sites, power existing broadcast equipment, or provide temporary broadcast services when infrastructure has been damaged or is inaccessible.

Located in Bald Hills (Brisbane), Gungahlin (Canberra), Hamersley (Perth), Mount Bellenden-Ker (Northern Queensland), and Pimpala (Adelaide), the MBAs are strategically positioned based on historical disaster patterns and accessibility to ensure rapid deployment when needed.

Achievements of the BRP

As of January 2025, the BRP is nearing completion, with 99% of construction projects finalised. Key milestones include:

•       47 out of 49 emergency power upgrades to ensure broadcast continuity during outages,

•       77 out of 77 diverse program input upgrades to provide backup broadcast capabilities, and

•       5 out of 5 Mobile Broadcast Assets (MBAs) deployed across Australia for rapid response in emergencies.

The program has been delivered on time and within budget, showcasing the efficiency and dedication of both BAI Communications and its government partners.

The BRP aligns with the federal government’s $400 million Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which aims to improve mobile coverage and strengthen communications infrastructure across the country. By ensuring that essential broadcasting services remain operational during emergencies, the program reinforces the broader objective of building a safer, more connected Australia.

Proven impact: case studies from recent emergencies

The value of the Broadcasting Resilience Program has been clearly demonstrated during recent emergencies, where upgraded systems a crucial role in maintaining broadcast services and keeping Australians informed.

Severe Weather in Tasmania (September 2024)

In September 2024, a series of severe storms battered Tasmania, causing widespread power outages and disrupting communication networks. Thanks to emergency power upgrades at several ABC radio sites in the region, broadcasting services continued uninterrupted for over 140 hours, providing critical updates to residents and emergency responders.

These broadcasts ensured that residents in areas like Ocean Beach Road (Strahan), Weldborough Trig (Weldborough), and Willis Hill (Lileah) had continuous access to emergency updates, including critical information on storm progression and safety measures.

Storms in Broken Hill, New South Wales (October 2024)

A powerful storm system swept through western New South Wale in October 2024, high-speed winds and large hail damaged critical infrastructure leaving Broken Hill and surrounding communities without power.

For residents of Menindee and Wilcannia, both remote towns with a combined population of just over 1,000 residents, broadcasting became a vital lifeline. The BRP’s upgrades provided 56 total hours of standby broadcasting, (during 3 different events) for the Menindee community and 60 total hours supporting the Wilcannia community, keeping residents informed about the storm’s progress and emergency response efforts.

Bushfires in Dimbulah, Northern Queensland (October 2024)

In October 2024, bushfires threatened the community of Dimbulah in Far North Queensland (population approx. 608, 100km inland from Cairns). ABC and SBS services broadcasting to the area remained on-air for approximately 5 hours due to the BRP upgrade. Local radio remained on air uninterrupted until mains returned after 9 hours.

A partnership for a resilient future

“Every hour of uninterrupted emergency broadcasting can make a difference between safety and uncertainty,” said Peter Lambourne, CEO BAI Communications.
“We are incredibly proud to have worked alongside the government to deliver a program that enhances the resilience of critical services and supports the well-being of Australians in their greatest time of need.”

The success of the Broadcasting Resilience Program reflects the strength of the partnership between BAI Communications and the Australian Government. With contributions from 170 internal stakeholders and 130 external contractors, the program has brought together expertise from across the industry to deliver lasting benefits for Australian communities.

For BAI Communications, the success of the BRP reflects its enduring commitment to supporting Australia’s broadcast infrastructure. The upgrades not only improve service reliability but also provide a vital safety net for communities during times of crisis.

Looking ahead

As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the need for resilient communication infrastructure will only grow. The BRP sets a benchmark for collaborative solutions that prioritise community safety and provides a robust foundation for the future, ensuring that communities across Australia have access to reliable broadcasting when they need it most.

The BRP is more than an infrastructure upgrade – it’s a long-term investment in community safety, connectivity and national resilience.