State government backs community radio station

Successful political engagement from Melbourne community radio station Triple R in the first half of 2015 saved the station from having to try and raise over $400,000 or find new premises.

The issue was a development proposal across the road from Triple R’s studios in East Brunswick, Melbourne. In late 2014, the developer submitted plans to build a six-storey structure, including dwellings and a café, to Moreland Council. 

In Triple R’s submission to the process, station manager Dave Houchin highlighted ‘serious concerns’ regarding the impact of the development on the station’s ability to broadcast, in particular the interruption to the signal from the station’s 1.8m antenna. The station was facing costs of $425,000 to move the radio mast.

Mooreland Council approved only a four storey building on the site, which would protect Triple R’s ability to broadcast, but the developer was unsatisfied. They took their proposal to VCAT, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, hoping for approval for the full six-storeys. 

Dave Houchin and Triple R then began to ask the Victorian state government for support, while continuing to be backed by Mooreland Council. As Greens Councillor Samantha Ratnam said in The Age, “It is really important to protect our greatest community assets, of which community radio is one.”

Following advocacy on behalf of Triple R from Council and local Labor MP Jane Garrett, Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne called in the application and an independent panel subsequently recommended that only a four-storey structure be built. 

"I'm proud that we've been able to secure 3RRR which is a community icon driven by passionate volunteers," Ms Garrett said in The Age.

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