A potted History of Community Radio in the Liverpool Area;

Born out of the social difficulties facing the largely disadvantaged housing commission area of Green Valley during the 60′s and early seventies. Unemployment was the only growth industry in the area.

Greater social awareness was generated in the area out of Peter Weir’s film “Whatever happened to Green Valley.”

See link: http://www.abc.net.au/aplacetothink/html/green_valley.htm

An embryo born out of an idea to challenge the status quo and the Post & Telegraphy Act resulted in a loop hole being found in the Act that allowed for “test transmissions”

A test transmission licence was applied for and received – the first test transmission went to air in 1975 from the Miller Community Centre.

Equipment was borrowed from many sources – a transmitter and antenna was borrowed from 2MBS-FM. At the time MBS was the only FM station on-air in Australia – with our test transmission, we were the second.

This was to begin a movement that started other interest groups forming across Sydney and Australia. The mantra would be; “To provide access to the airwaves to those in the community who cannot normally access them and to compliment and supplement existing commercial and national services.”

The Liverpool group was later sharing premises with a community video Access Centre at 267 Bigge Street where 2 test transmissions were conducted 1976 and 1978

The 1976 one was covered by Channel TEN, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDp0yLfM0pc

The sector grew and grew and lobbied government ministers but was ignored. Licences were not granted and didn’t even look like ever being granted.

An umbrella group formed – the Public Broadcasting Association of NSW – later the Public Broadcasting Association of Australia – this later morphed to become the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia.

The video access centre and radio group moved to Scott Street Liverpool in 1979. One test transmission was conducted in the summer of 1980.

Government funding for the video centre was stopped and the video centre folded. The radio group found itself homeless (a familiar tale)

Meanwhile…A by-election campaign for former PM, Billy McMahon’s (very marginal) seat got a visit from then Minister for communications, Ian Sinclair. A direct question was put to him “why not call for community broadcasting licences?” the question wasn’t ignored and very soon afterwards, licence applications were called for 7 Sydney licences.

Possible sites were scouted. 2WS offered their original studios at 2 Leabon’s Lane Seven Hills as long as we could move it off the site. This was a very small, old, wooden 2 bedroom house!

Liverpool Council showed its solid support and offered the former SES building at 19 Christie Street, Liverpool. The run-down site became the centre of activity to build studios. The 2WS house was stripped of whatever was useful and used in constructing the Christie street studios.

A test transmission was conducted from Christie Street mid 1982 with an antenna strapped to the back of the building.

The original group was known as 2LGV-FM and during the licence application process everyone attended everyone else’s hearings to get ideas.

The Liverpool licence hearing took place in the Liverpool City Council chambers (oddly enough, at the same place they are now.)

Submissions were presented by Joan Killorn, Frank Scambary and Ian Becker.

Months later, (September 1982) we received news that we were successful and had 12 months to get on-air – on the proviso that we change our preferred call sign to 2GLF-FM and that the group form a registered co-operative as its business entity.

1996: Liverpool City Council advised they intended to sell the land in Christie street to return the entire street to residential zoning. They offered 2GLF the use of the School of Arts Building in Macquarie Street and would assist with the logistics of moving. Deputy Mayor, Wendy Waller handed over the keys personally.

Again studios were built, equipment purchased and installed. The station began broadcasting from Macquarie street in October 1997.

2005 and rumours of redevelopment of Macquarie street surface and council later signs a MUA with a developer for the Macquarie Street site and continues to reaffirm its support for 2GLF and promises to find a new site.

Powerhouse Arts Centre and Regional Museum are offered as possible sites. Powerhouse was unsuitable and the museum is removed as a possible site when the site is handed to Liverpool Library to manage.

Later the old Skate Park on Memorial Avenue is offered as a firm location. Many planning discussions are held with council officers. Plans drawn up and more discussions held. The only thing holding the project up was council’s desire to keep us in the School of arts building as security for the heritage listed building itself.

Global Financial Crisis stalls any development.

Council continues to meet and discuss with us and reaffirms its promise in writing to provide premises – still at the skate park.

2010 and the Council’s administration centre burns down.

2011; Council reconsiders usage of the old Administration site precinct and decides to look at a long term commercial lease on the site. The skate park is no longer available for our use.

August 2011; the developer seeks and is given an extension to the DA for the Macquarie street site. On the 10th August, council issues notice for 2GLF to quit the building by February 2012. The letter also advises they do not intend to provide an alternative location thereby reversing their promises made up to and including, June 2011

Friday August 12th: A meeting is held with Council officers who maintain the line that there are no premises available to us.

Saturday 13th August: Operation “SAVE OUR STATION” begins.