PBS 106.7FM secures $500,000 in funding to move to the Collingwood Arts Precinct

PBS 106.7FM has secured $500,000 to kick start its move to the Collingwood Arts Precinct thanks to the State Government of Victoria.

PBS 106.7FM is thrilled to be receiving $500,000 in funding from the State Government of Victoria to help the station move to The Collingwood Arts Precinct (CAP), as announced by local MP Richard Wynne at the PBS studios today.

This funding will make a huge difference to the station, as it goes about raising the more than $1.2 million required to relocate studios, transmission equipment and administrative functions to CAP.

Adrian Basso, General Manager PBS, said of the funding:

“We are extremely grateful to our local representative, Richard Wynne, and the State Government for their support of PBS and music in general. This funding makes it possible for us to achieve our dream of a stable, long-term home surrounded by creative and dynamic neighbours who share our passion for championing music in Melbourne.”

Since 1979, PBS has put its heart and soul into building a strong community of musicians, music lovers, music venues and businesses and members. The station exists to champion, nurture and grow Melbourne’s incredibly diverse and dynamic music community. It does this by broadcasting local and international music from gospel singing to death metal that is seldom, if ever, heard anywhere else. Among other things, it also trains and develops new and existing broadcasters, including from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and runs programs that help address gender imbalance in the music sector.

With CAP developing only streets away, PBS immediately recognised the opportunity this shared and collaborative space could provide to improve access to, and increase the amount of, the exciting work the station does.

CAP also recognised the opportunities PBS, with its sole focus on music, could bring to the precinct, offering the station an anchor tenancy. The state's peak body Music Victoria and youth music organisation The Push also will be housed in the new arts precinct on Johnston Street, which will provide a multipurpose space for events and exhibitions, a training room for education programs, and meeting rooms for the music industry to share ideas. Something special is being created at Collingwood Arts Precinct and PBS will be at the heart of it.

PBS will launch a public fundraising appeal later in the year to raise the remaining funds required.

Richard Wynne MP said of the funding:

“PBS is one of the most treasured community broadcasters in Melbourne, and I’m delighted to see them move in to the fantastic Collingwood Arts Precinct. This funding of $500,000 will ensure they continue to be a strong centre of music and creativity in Collingwood for decades to come.”

Photo: Richard Wynne MP with PBS announcer Lyndelle Wilkinson. Photo by Aleisha Hall.