The proposed FM radio station will be known as Radio Dungog with the call sign of 107.9.

The aim is to provide a local broadcasting service to the communities in the Lower Hunter emanating from Dungog to include Gresford, Paterson, Clarence Town, Vacy, and Stroud.

All the committee is waiting on now is a successful outcome of a Community Builders Grant from the State Government as the licence has already been granted.

Radio Dungog coordinator Ross Milford said the grant, which is $100,000 a year for three years, is sitting with the minister - hopefully awaiting approval.

“Our main submission for the grant was being a disadvantaged society because of our remote location which doesn’t always pick up commercial channels, and poor service by these stations regarding emergency information,” Mr Milford said.

“The recommendations have all been done, we are just waiting to hear that it has been successful.

“The funding will help with initial start-up, accommodation, paying for a fulltime coordinator and running it for two to three years.

“After then we are hoping to have enough sponsorship for it to keep operating on its own.”

Mr Milford, who was an assistant program director and training officer for ABC Radio, has a lot of equipment sourced over the years.

“As we develop programming concepts initially we expect to provide a 15-hour service of live hosted radio seven days a week, plus a line service from 9pm to 6am daily.”

Mr Milford wants the community to be involved in the station, especially young people.

“It is the community’s radio station and we want locals to be a part of it.

“We’ve arranged for local sporting groups to give reports on Saturday, the churches want to be involved, local weather reports and emergency services with fires, floods and road closures, gardening, talk back, local history . . . the ideas are endless.

“But now is the time for the community to become involved . . . we need as many people as possible.

“We have about 50 members so far but we need more, especially ones wanting to have real hands-on involvement.”

A meeting will be held at Dungog RSL Club tomorrow night at 6pm and community members are invited to attend.”

For more information contact secretary Pauline Cambourne on 0429 629 014 or email paulinec@bravo.net.au