Lofty 88.9 Explained

Lofty 88.9 (ACMA call sign 5LCM^[1]) is a community radio station based in Mount Barker, South Australia, named in reference to its location in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

The station operates in Peramangk country and is staffed entirely by volunteers.

History

Lofty Community Media Incorporated (Lofty) was formed in June 2017 as a progressive alternative to similar media outlets operating in the Adelaide Hills area.

Initially operating as an online-only radio station, Lofty was granted a temporary community broadcasting licence (TCBL) by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in November 2018^[2]

From November 2018, Lofty 88.9 shared the 88.9 MHz frequency with another TCBL holder, Hills Radio.^[3] During this period, Lofty 88.9 broadcast on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.

In October 2019, ACMA invited applications for a long-term community broadcasting licence in the Mount Barker area of the Adelaide Hills^[4] via a competitive process that attracted multiple applicants, including Lofty 88.9 and Hills Radio.

In September 2020, ACMA granted this licence to Lofty 88.9 based on Lofty’s application "demonstrating a strong focus on encouraging community participation in the operations and programming of the station".^[5]

Lofty 88.9 commenced broadcasting full-time on 1 October 2020.

Programming

Lofty 88.9 broadcasts a range of locally produced shows, along with a number of syndicated shows sourced from the Community Radio Network (Australia), Deutsche Welle and independent producers.

Awards

2018 SACBA Bilby Award for Best Sports Broadcast (runner-up)^[6]

2021 SACBA Bilby Awards for Youth Contribution (runner-up), Best Radio Program (runner-up), Sports Broadcast, Interview ^[7]

Affiliations

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA)^[8]

South Australian Community Broadcasters Association (SACBA)^[9]

References

1. Web site: Register of Radiocommunications Licences . acma.gov.au . 30 May 2021.
2. Web site: About Lofty . lofty.org.au . 30 May 2021.
3. Web site: 2020-09-18. Hills Radio in Mt Barker to shutter after ACMA review. 2021-06-07. Radio Today. en-AU.
4. Web site: ACMA makes a Lofty decision for the Adelaide Hills radioinfo. 2021-06-07. www.radioinfo.com.au. en.
5. Web site: ACMA allocates community broadcasting licence in Mt Barker . acma.gov.au . 30 May 2021.
6. Web site: SACBA Bilby Awards 2018 . sacba.org.au . 30 May 2021.
7. Web site: SACBA Bilby Awards 2021 . sacba.org.au . 1 Dec 2021.
8. Web site: CBAA Find a Station . cbaa.org.au . 11 December 2020 . 30 May 2021.
9. Web site: SACBA Member Stations . sacba.org.au . 30 May 2021.

External links

• Lofty 88.9 website