Hills Radio station fights for return to airwaves after loss of broadcasting licence last year

A Hills radio station is stepping up the fight to return to the airwaves after its broadcasting licence was suspended in September.

Hills Radio Station Manager Chris Carpenter with presenters Jack Simmonds, Conon Doherty and station sponsor Rachelle Barlow in their Mt Barker studio. Picture: Mike Burton.

The fight is on to get a popular Hills radio station back on air after it was denied an ongoing broadcasting licence late last year.

Over 1000 Adelaide Hills residents have signed a petition to request the Australian Communications and Media Authority open up a second community radio frequency to allow the continuation of Hills Radio.

The local broadcaster lost its right to broadcast in September last year after the Federal Government granted exclusive broadcasting rights for the Mount Barker district to Lofty 88.9 Adelaide Hills.

The loss followed recent conduct complaints relating to its general manager Chris Carpenter, who was embroiled in sexual harassment allegations, revealed in July 2018.

Mr Carpenter has strenuously denied the allegations and the ACMA said the past conduct of individuals had no bearing on its decision.

Hills Radio has now engaged a private contractor to find an available broadcasting frequency, which will be presented to the ACMA, along with the petition in coming months.

Chair of Hills Radio Richard Bridge said with Mount Barker rapidly expanding, a second community radio service was justified.

Chris Carpenter (CEO/Founder of Hills Radio) in the studio at Mount Barker. Picture: Stephen Laffer

“Our unique environment and lifestyle calls for local, proactive media and as our population increases, so does the demand for relevant service and variety,” he said.

“Over the years we have built positive connections to provide a valuable community service to thousands of people across the Adelaide Hills, especially through the passion of the

volunteers, their personal connections to our region and the relevant programs they make.”

Mr Bridge said the group had launched a fundraising campaign to assist.

“Requesting a new licence is costly and time consuming and requires specialist legal and consultancy assistance,” he said.

“So we have launched a fundraising drive to gain the additional funds we need to return our radio station to the airwaves.”

The petition is backed by Member for Mayor Rebekha Sharkie, who said she planned to present the petition to parliament.

Centre Alliance member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie says she was supporting the petition and the station’s move to return to local airwaves.

She said she had also met with Communications Minister Paul Fletcher and the ACMA to help find a solution.

“The local community values the service provided by Hills Radio so I appreciate it was an enormous disappointment to both the station and their listeners when they were not allocated a broadcast licence and I understand why they would want to pursue a second licence for the region,” she said.

“I believe it is perfectly reasonable in the current circumstances for Hills Radio to investigate if there is spectrum available for use their licence area and how they might access it and I support their campaign.”