COMMUNITY radio station 88.9FM will be kicked off its frequency band as the federal government sells off the space to mobile telecommunication giants.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Efforts by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia saved stations at the lower end of the 850MHz band from the move, but Tamworth's own 88.9FM remained in the firing line.
It will cost $17,500 to make the move, 88.9FM chief executive George Frame said, the band being sold affects the station's ability to send a signal from the studio to the transmitter - from there it is broadcast to everyone else.
"The government are taking that frequency from us because they want to put it together for auction to sell the spectrum, which they do all the time," he said.
"However, they aren't going to give us money for it, we have to apply for a grant and go through all the legal loopholes to replace it."
The station employs 16 full-time staff and is one of the biggest community radio stations in regional NSW.
It was told about the band move just after it spent $40,000 on upgrades to the transmission equipment.
"That left us at that stage without a place to pull $17,500 out of our operation," Mr Frame said.
"We are a not-for-profit; everything goes back into the station, in the last five years we've put $330,000 back into the station." The new link will not change the station's number.
The decision was made in November 2015 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. At the time it acknowledged the shift would increase costs felt mostly by community radio stations.
Read also:
A result on the grant application is expected in May, and if unsuccessful the station will have to fork out $17,500 from its own budget.
As a stand alone station, Mr Frame said there's no head office to ask for the funds.
"What we're saying is we have to change our frequency, so we have an application for a grant. Hopefully we'll get it but if we don't there should be direct compensation," he said. "
"We take responsibility for the community, we are supported by the community and a lot of community radio stations have really struggled in the drought."
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
