Perth’s ABC Radio networks have moved to new premises in East Perth.

The new Perth studios follow a similar design and fit-out to other recently modified capital city ABC premises. The radio studios of local station 720 feature Klotz digital panels and the ABC’s Netia playout system.

ABC’s local station, 720 began its life on 4 June 1924 when 6WF took to the air as Western Australia’s first radio station. It drew its early name from Westralian Farmers Ltd, which started the operation to provide information and entertainment to rural areas. The station was based in the company’s building at that time.

In 1929, 6WF was taken over by the Australian Broadcasting Company, which, in 1932, became the Australian Broadcasting Commission. In that year, the ABC moved out of the Westralian Farmers building and into a small house on the edge of Perth’s Supreme Court Gardens that constituted 6WF’s makeshift home. That temporary home lasted 26 years before the 1958 completion of a multi-studio complex at Rose Hill, 191 Adelaide Terrace.

The building on Adelaide Terrace lasted more than 50 years before the ABC began moving into the new building in East Perth, beginning from March this year. The new building, at 30 Fielder Street, is on former industrial land that has been part of the state’s largest inner city renewal project. Television is also located with radio in the new building.

In contrast to the studio acoustic treatments used in the new building, the first broadcast was made from what Wesfarmers described as a large studio “sufficient to accommodate choirs and bands… made sound proof by means of sawdust, pleated hessian and drapings.”

To prevent any electrical disturbance to the equipment inside, “every sheet of iron on the roof of the building was connected together and earthed by means of the lightning conductor”.

Photos below show the new studios: