A timely upgrade to improve two of Launceston's community radio stations is being promised by the Liberal Party ahead of the state election.
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The Liberals are promising more than $40,000, if elected, in funding to WayFM and City Park Radio to upgrade their studios and other broadcasting capabilities.
About $19,000 will be provided to City Park Radio to upgrade its outdoor broadcast capacity and to upgrade its studio lighting for a community podcast/live streaming area.
New equipment is on the list for Christian radio station WayFM, who will receive $22,400 to help the station buy new equipment.
WayFM manager Jim Gray said as a community radio station it was hard to improve their studio equipment without funding.
"This will help us to improve our on-air feel, improve our quality of interviews and because we have two studios, this will allow us to integrate the two studios together so they can really talk to each other," he said.
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Incumbent Liberal member for Bass Michael Ferguson said the funding would secure the future of community radio in Launceston by providing much-needed upgrades for both stations.
He said the funding would be allocated as part of this year's state budget process.
"Community radio plays a vital role in keeping our community up to date and entertained, and that's why I'm pleased to announce that we'll provide more than $40,000 to two stations here in Launceston if re-elected," he said.
"A strong and vibrant community radio sector is so important for our region."
Mr Ferguson said the upgrades would also help them reach more organisations.
"The improved studio lighting will help [City Park Radio] carry out visual recordings and vod-casting, and the outside broadcast equipment will help it continue to conduct great quality radio coverage out and about," he said.
"This includes technology to ensure [WayFM's] radio broadcast is able to continue should a computer failure occur and to ensure audio quality is the best it can be for the listener.
"I know [WayFM] believes this technology would improve its on-air presence and help it reach out to more organisations within the Launceston community through supporting community events and conducting phone interviews."
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