By ANEEKA SIMONIS
IT WAS like a coup in reverse – the day the radio station took over a former site of authority.
Emerald-based radio station 3MDR-97FM, with Emerald Community House (ECH), ‘annexed’ the old Emerald police station dressed in pirate gear on Saturday, claiming the deserted building is a much-needed space for community groups in the area.
3MDR spokesperson Dale Blair, who formed part of the live broadcast outside the Kilvington Drive police station, said Cardinia Shire Council needed to support Hills’ community groups by providing them with better operating facilities.
“The previous State Government squandered millions of dollars building a new police station that has neither improved police services nor public safety,” he said.
“Meanwhile dynamic community groups such as 3MDR and ECH are taking up the slack filling gaps and delivering services that the council and state governments cannot provide while operating out of inadequate premises.”
The radio station proclaimed the building as the ‘rightful property’ of Emerald and wider Mountain District residents on-air at 12pm on Saturday 17 January.
Though the scallywags were unable to properly board and capture the old police building – instead broadcasting from the site’s car park- their hopes of claiming the site have not been sunk yet.
“We are hopeful that the new government will not exhibit the same inertia of the previous government and current council and see the benefit of investing in community by redirecting surplus buildings for community use,” Mr Blair said.
The radio station said they got 1000 Cardinia Shire residents to sign a petition in support of council purchasing the building for community use, but council will not budge.
“Council does not intend to purchase the building,” a shire media spokesperson said.
Station manager Phil Ruck said the current radio headquarters had a range of safety and access issues.
“We do have concerns about safety,” he said.
“The space is rather inadequate. There is no disability access, so not all members of the community can get access so we are excluding a section that may want to get involved.”
