On Friday, ABC Radio in Mackay opened the doors to the stations new studios. ABC Managing Director Mark Scott unveiled the new building alongside the ABC’s Tropical North team.

In 2008, Mackay was drenched with 600 millimetres of rain in 6 hours, leaving staff at the emergency broadcaster waist deep in water and unable to go to air. As the ABC is relied upon for updates and emergency broadcasts during disaster, the new building is located on higher ground, being moved from River Street to Wellington Street.

The design of the building will also help hold off destruction, with the flooring raised a metre above the recommended height for floods and can withstand category 4 cyclone winds.

View a video of the new building below: