Proposed Development Threatens Triple R's Broadcast Future

Stalwart Melburnian community radio station Triple R has had its future cast into doubt as a proposed six-storey residential tower set to be constructed nearby makes its way to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

According to Fairfax, the development, which is slated to be built at 122-124 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East — pretty much within spitting distance of the station's studio — has caused concern for Triple R staff and management because its projected height and location will likely block the station's signal from reaching its target-receive antenna, effectively crippling its broadcasting capabilities.

As Fairfax highlights, station manager Dave Houchin voiced his concerns in a submission to Moreland Council, in which he indicated the construction of the tower would likely interfere with the station's 1.8-metre transmission antenna, which is "aligned approximately parallel with Blyth Street to the east". "This means that it has quite a high gain but only over a fairly narrow angle," Houchin said. "Its objective is to maximise the signal getting to the target-receive antenna some 35 kilometres away."

As it is, the development has only been sent to VCAT because the developer is pushing for an exception to height limits of four storeys — the result of a motion passed by Moreland councillors in December — which consequently has raised Houchin's eyebrows even further as the location of the new tower could have health and safety consequences for the potential new residents given its proximity to the station's 20-metre-tall signal mast.

"[The mast] is permitted because the [current] closest residents are at a safe distance from the tower," Houchin said. "We have concerns that locating residents closer to the radio tower on top of the Triple R building [could] hinder Triple R's ongoing operations at our site."

Don't hold your breath for a resolution, though — the case won't be heard by VCAT until 13 May. The flip-side of that, of course, is that the danger isn't quite imminent for the local institution — yet. Rest assured that we'll keep you abreast of new information in the future.