ABC gets new Brisbane HQ 5 years after cancer cluster closure

ABC Radio news bulletins were the first programs to go to air from the national broadcaster’s new headquarters in Southbank. The ABC was forced to close its Toowong studios because of a cancer scare there five years ago, and, until this week, ABC Radio and TV were broadcasting from various locations around the city. It has been a bumpy ride for staff over the past five years. As well as makeshift temporary facilities, last year’s floods delayed construction when the building’s foundations, then a hole in the ground, filled up with water.

 

In 2006 radioinfo reported: “An independent report from a panel of experts has found 10 women developed the disease while working on the site since 1995, a rate six times greater than what would normally be expected. An ABC Radio news report says “the panel was unable to find a cause, despite extensive testing. ABC managing director Mark Scott is briefing staff on what action management will take place and says moving will begin with days.”

 

Friends of the ABC wished the Brisbane staff good luck in their new studios, telling radioinfo: “We wish ABC Brisbane staff all the best in their new home and look forward to ABC Brisbane producing great local programming and some wonderful national programs.”  

Recalling the past five years, ABC News reporter Kirrin McKechnie wrote on ABC Online:

It’s been a long five long years since ABC staff were forced to abandon our Toowong studios because our colleagues were getting sick.

I can clearly remember the day experts confirmed there was a breast cancer cluster and we had to leave our offices immediately. With many of my friends in tears, we packed up our desks in a daze and walked out of our newsroom, never to return.

Just days later, we were at work in a new building, in Channel Ten’s basement. It was a surreal place to work – in the same office as a rival TV network. Those early days were tough too. We were still reeling from the shock of the breast cancer cluster, worried about our friends with the illness, and worried about whether we too would get sick.

In our hastily moved surrounds, it was miraculous that we got bulletins to air. I remember my radio news colleague Andree Withey interviewing the Premier while crouched under her desk; it was the only way to get decent quality audio over the phone.

For weeks and frankly months, we all lurched from tears to hysterical laughter as we tried to do our jobs in the most bizarre and emotionally charged conditions.

For me, everyone being under the same roof is the best thing about our move. As we walked into our new workplace, we were reunited with colleagues we haven’t worked with for five years. (The main topic of conversation was how we all got to work. We’ve been spoiled being able to drive to our office on Mount Coot-tha for the past five years and joining other inner-city workers on public transport this morning was a bit of a shock for me!) I’m looking forward to the resurgence of Friday night drinks.

As more shifts prepare to go to air from the new building, Kirsten MacGregor wrote on ABC612 Brisbane’s Twitter page:

 

 

Tune to ABC612 for more live shifts from Tuesday morning.