As Australia’s largest independent group remaining in private hands, operating 31 stations throughout NSW and in southern Queensland, Bill Caralis’s Super Network has long been the subject of takeover speculation.

It has been rumoured that the reclusive Caralis has turned down hundreds of millions of dollars from a succession of suitors anxious to get their hands on what many consider to be a well located network.

But in a move that will confound his critics who accuse him of being miserly, Caralis has just announced a multi-million dollar renovation plan for his stations in Newcastle and Tamworth.

A spokesman for Mr Caralis told radioinfo, “Tamworth Council have approved plans for a million dollar rebuild of 2TM and FM 92.9 to commence in February 2005”.

Meanwhile, long time network operative, Perry Burrows has been appointed acting general manager to provide direction for the stations until such time a replacement is found for Steve Gunther who resigned last September to pursue personal interests. The stations are also without a full-time program manager.

The spokesman for Mr Caralis indicated that a ground-up rebuild of 2HD and New-FM, Newcastle is also in the planning stage for 2005.