Commercial radio broadcasters have requested an urgent meeting with NSW Premier Bob Carr to resolve the issue of the residential developments being built within the buffer zones of AM radio station transmitters at Homebush Bay (see earlier story for details).
A spokesperson for the Planning Minister Andrew Refshauge, told radioinfo: “We have been having quiet talks over this issue for a while now, but since the media got hold of it this week everyone has become very edgy.”
Commercial Radio Australia’s CEO Joan Warner, told radioinfo the broadcasters are “concerned with statements by the NSW Planning Minister that the NSW Government would not fund any move forced on the broadcasters.”
“The government has already admitted that it made a mistake in approving residential development so close to the AM radio transmitters without a full analysis of current and future use compatability, and it is our firm view that the broadcasters should not have to bear the costs of correcting a planning mistake,” said Warner.
“The broadcasters have been at Homebush for over 50 years. All broadcasters have long-term leases or own their sites. Our preferred option is to stay at Homebush Bay. We are now being asked to consider relocation as a matter of urgency with scant regard for the planning and resources that are required for an undertaking of this magnitude.”
Warner said broadcasters have made representations to planning authorities since 1998, with the most recent detailed submission on the Master Plan made in 2001.
“More recently we raised the matter directly with the Planning Minister in March 2002 and the Premier in July 2002 after individual radio stations had little success in gaining the attention of planning authorities to this serious matter…”
“We have been working with the NSW government and the developer to find a solution, and we are seeking an urgent meeting with the Premier so we can resolve this issue as soon as possible. The site at Homebush Bay is geographically ideal for transmission and we won’t agree to a solution which will impact in any way on our broadcasting capability.”