Rotary clubs plan to rescue Hawkesbury Radio

It was only a couple of weeks ago we reported that the ACMA declined to renew the broadcast licence for Hawkesbury Radio.

The embattled community station, dogged by infighting, has the official callsign, 2VTR. Its licence was held by Hawkesbury Radio Communications Cooperative Society Ltd, but was not renewed following 2VTR’s continued non-compliance with the community participation licence condition.

The compliance issues went unresolved despite informal and formal enforcement action taken by the ACMA over a lengthy period.

But there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the local community. The Hawkesbury Gazette reports that the region’s three Rotary Clubs will be applying for a temporary licence after Hawkesbury Radio’s licence lapses next month. 

Assistant governor of the Hawkesbury clubs, Rod Rose, told the Gazette that the radio station was a crucial service for the community which was why the Windsor, Richmond and Kurrajong-North Richmond Rotary Clubs wanted to ensure it continued. 

Read more here.

A post on the station’s facebook page from the board of directors says the station “is not dead.” There are plans to keep streaming one the FM transmitter is switched off and also the intention to reapply for a temporary licence. It is not known whether the intention to reapply for the licence is in association with the Rotary Club, or separately.

The full text of the post reads:

Hawkesbury Radio is not dead!

An important announcement from Hawkesbury Radio.

Yes, The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced that they were not renewing the broadcast licence for Hawkesbury Radio. In the formal confirmation from the ACMA, they advised the board of Hawkesbury Radio that the ACMA would be calling for applications for Temporary broadcasting licence. In conversations with representatives of ACMA, again Hawkesbury Radio was encouraged to apply for a temporary broadcasting licence. All successful applicants of a temporary broadcasting licence may then apply for a full broadcasting licence.

Hawkesbury Radio would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support we have received at this time from the community. We ask that the Hawkesbury community, who we have served for 39 years will swing behind us and all join Hawkesbury Radio and write to Minisiter Fifeld, the Minister responsible for community broadcasting, protesting their actions. The minister’s email address is [email protected] or telephone (02) 6277 7480.

In light of the facts, the directors of Hawkesbury Radio are committed to continue on the tradition of 39 years of continuous broadcasting, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Our action plan going forwards is simple. Firstly, Hawkesbury radio will continue to serve the Hawkesbury community and the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the internet, while we await confirmation of our temporary broadcast licence. We will negotiate with the ACMA to meet any concerns regarding membership requirements. Hawkesbury Radio will then apply for the re-instatement of the broadcasting licence. Hawkesbury Radio believes that the ACMA is committed to a community radio station for the Hawkesbury. A radio station that serves our unique part of the world; part urban, majority rural and unserved by other media.

The directors of Hawkesbury Radio believe that the future is bright. Hawkesbury Radio will go the tough yards to prove that we are the only option for broadcasting in the Hawkesbury. Our plan is clear. Hawkesbury Radio has a dedicated membership to broadcast into the future. Let us not be tarnished by our few bad apples. Hawkesbury Radio will move onto bigger and better things and be stronger in the future.

Hawkesbury Radio is not dead!

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