The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan and ABC Director Radio & Regional Content, Sue Howard, have launched one of the largest radio projects ever undertaken in Australia – the extension of ABC NewsRadio to all transmission areas around Australia with a population over 10,000.

The first stage of the roll out includes Wagga Wagga and the surrounding South Western Slopes. ABC NewsRadio Marketing Manager Nick Morris told radioinfo that this will increase the potential audience to 1.2 million.

Stage two and three will mean an increase to a potential audience of 3 million for NewsRadio.

This extension of transmission areas will eventually mean that NewsRadio will move from covering 78% of the Australian population to 95% which is in line with Triple J, ABC Classic Fm and Radio National.

The Launch was held at the ABC Studios in Fitzmaurice Street Wagga.