Radio Adelaide, Australia’s longest running community radio station, is calling upon supporters to speak out, before it’s too late.

The University of Adelaide sold Radio Adelaide’s home at 228 North Terrace to help fund its new Medical School. It was a choice made a year ago in full knowledge of the implications for the station, and it came with a commitment to relocate Radio Adelaide.

After 12 months of review and costings, time is running out to relocate Radio Adelaide before 228 North Terrace is demolished.

A decision and funds commitment was expected in November, but instead the University has opened another brief consultation period that pushes a decision closer to Christmas. The station community is concerned that this is a precursor to shutting the station down.

The University review of Radio Adelaide outlines five options for the future. Radio Adelaide believes three of these options would see the station close, either immediately or soon after. Radio Adelaide urges the University to commit to a 3-5 year staged transition, consistent with their independent review option 2. The station community is keen to work with the University to give this iconic Adelaide radio station the best chance to prosper as an independent entity.

Radio Adelaide has been part of South Australia’s public life for 43 years. In 1972 the University of Adelaide had the vision to start and then support the first educational community radio station in Australia. Since then, thousands of volunteer program makers have passed through our studios, speaking up for our diverse community. Many have gone on to achieve amazing things in the media, public and cultural life.