In a follow up to our previous report about Kalamunda Community Radio’s need to find new premises, a former member of the community station claims station management has known about the need to find new premises for up to four years.
The source says the station has been granted two extensions over the past two years and says it is misleading to suggest that the forced move is sudden and unexpected. They believe the station’s recent statements about being forced to move are an attempt to influence the West Australian Shire of Kalamunda to allow them to stay.
However the premises and land are now owned by LandCorp, so that outcome is impossible.
The former member claims the Shire has offered new premises to KCR-FM, however the move was scuttled by requesting too many improvements.
Alarmed presenters at the station have contacted radioinfo, saying they are worried management won’t find new premises and that KCR-FM will be forced to close.
‘Bopman’ commented on our original story, stating:
“One can only hope that community radio stations such as Kalamunda Community Radio continue to exist in the tough broadcast media environment of today. Let us stand up and be heard by politicians and local councils.”
The station is currently in discussions with the Shire of Kalamunda regarding potential new locations. Some major fundraisers are being planned to fund whatever next steps are required to keep the station on air.
A message on the station’s website says:
“We are indebted to the Police Department for their support over the years in providing us with these premises and without whose help, the radio station would probably cease to exist today.
“KCR-FM are intent on remaining positive and are seeking assistance from the Kalamunda Shire and relevant charitable organisations to help formulate a plan to relocate to a more permanent location, where we can serve the community by offering local news, events and happenings in our area coupled with great music too! It will be all hands on deck for this new venture, so if you have any ideas, want to help, then please let us know, since all help and ideas however large or small are welcome.”
radioinfo has contacted the station for comment and is expecting some good news to be forthcoming after a shire council meeting next week.