Corrosion threatens 4CCR FM Stack

I was kept busy during my mid March familiarisation inspection of the facilities at Mt Yarrabah. Readers might recall that I recently reported on my concerns for the transmission infrastructure of 4CCR 89.1FM and the fire threat posed this dry season due to the neglect of the surrounds upon which the transmitter is located.

Walking through the long grass and weeds being mindful of snakes etc. I made my way to the bottom of the transmitter tower which also transmits the signals for Austeck, 4TAB, SBS and BBM. I noticed the FM stack that broadcasts the 4CCR signal is subject to extensive corrosion.

I am aware that the very location is subject to the vagaries of the weather and salty air. In a nutshell it is in a high maintenance location and frequent attention is required.

What also concerns me is that the finances required to maintain the transmission tower are being spent on solicitor's fees to shore up an embattled regime. In other words, scarce financial resources required to attend to the rust are being diverted to spurious legal cases.

I am in the process of writing to ACMA enclosing my report and photos to make them aware of the deteriorating infrastructure and asking for their urgent intervention.

It saddens me to have to disclose this at large as I am aware that to a lot of CCBI members this is the first they have heard about the state of the FM stack and may cause anxiety as a consequence.

I believe members of CCBI should ask Mr Coutts about his disingenuous choice of priorities.