STEREO 974, based in the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine, is used to being flooded with telephone calls, but it was a different story last Sunday morning.

A water main in the street fractured and the studios, including the office, reception, control room, production and on-air studios were soon under 15cm of water. It took quite some time for plumbers to turn off and make safe the fractured water main.

STEREO 974 went off air at approx. 9.30 am when power to the complex was terminated, then it was all hands on deck bailing the water out of the studios.

The station was back on air at 6 pm, but has to rely at this stage on the automated program as the studios are not fit for habitation.

The insurance assessor turned up on Monday and all carpet and underlay was removed from the complex and de-humidifiers installed to alleviate moisture problems.

STEREO 974 General Manager, Rod Boyd told radioinfo: “It was a great deal of effort on behalf of everyone here at STEREO 974 from our technicians, IT specialists, electrician and everyone else who supported us not only with the initial clean up, but with on-going support as well. I have been overwhelmed by the support from our many listeners who have taken the time to call the station and offer their support and assistance.”

“At this stage we have to wait until the moisture and humidity readings are taken over the next few days, but we would expect to resume live programming possibly from this Thursday onwards. We are on the air, and will continue to broadcast, minus our live programs, as we have to act responsibly and protect our greatest assets, our volunteers, and all our equipment. All damages sustained are covered by insurance, and the studios and complex will be reinstated as soon as possible.”

Stereo 974 was originally established in 1978 under the guidance of Barry Jones MP making it one of the longest established Community Broadcasters in Victoria.