Dungog Shire’s community radio station is looking to increase its broadcast transmission area to cover the whole shire and the Stroud area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Radio Dungog 107.9 currently has a 100 watt transmitter on Cooreei Hill which only covers a 10km radius.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has granted the station approval for a 1000 watt transmitter with Dungog Shire Council allowing it to be installed on the essential service site at Mount Richardson.
Radio station manager George Frame said there has been good support by council, including Mayor Harold Johnston, Dungog State Emergency Service and Federal Member for Paterson Bob Baldwin.
“This relocation and increased transmission power would allow the station to reach all the communities residing in the Dungog Shire,” Mr Frame said.
“Mount Richardson is 100 metres higher than Sugarloaf and we’ve mapped the coverage and know the whole shire and over to Stroud will be covered.
“Radio Dungog is the only local electronic media to serve the shire.
“During the recent floods that engulfed the Paterson River earlier this year, we were hindered from reaching areas the SES needed to broadcast urgent warnings to.
“Newcastle media was not covering the shire to the extent Radio Dungog was required to for the 24 hours over four days.”
The station needs a grant for $29,000 to purchase the necessary equipment and the first year’s power charges.
The station would have its own sponsorships to cover the costs for the following year and Dungog Council has agreed to charge a peppercorn rent so the station can provide coverage to the shire.
Mayor Harold Johnston said he has taken the opportunity presented by Radio Dungog to talk to the community about matters of interest and concern.
“However I am very aware that these conversations cannot be heard across the whole shire,” Cr Johnston said.
“A shire-wide radio service would be enormously valuable in being able to keep the community well informed and engaged.
“It is the only way our communities can be quickly and widely informed during times of emergencies.”
Mr Frame is hoping that once better coverage is achieved across all the shire villages, volunteers will come on board to be involved in and present new programs.