Radio station wants to go back to basics
102.7FM set to launch new plan this month
THE management group for Toowoomba’s long-standing community radio station hopes a plan to return it to relevance will draw listeners back.
4DDB, along known as 102.7FM, will roll out a new strategy, featuring new shows and different program times, this month.
President and acting manager Sara Andrews said after a decade of slowly drifting into a semi-commercial format, she wanted the station to have relevance again for Toowoomba residents.
“Basically, what we’re looking at is taking us back to the way community radio used to be run,” she said.
“We’ve sort of lost our way. I would describe it as a poor man’s commercial.
“We’re going to be changing up the way we do things. People need to know it’s their community station.”
The current committee held a series of consultation meetings with community groups and Toowoomba musicians last month, in a hunt for new ideas and to recruit different presenters.
Ms Andrews said the feedback was unanimous in wanting to bring young people back to the station.
“It’s been an agreement
(from everyone) that this is long-overdue,” she said.
“The thing that amazed me is how most of those musos (and groups) wanted to help the next generation.”
Ms Andrews said she wanted to hear from potential hosts for either a spoken-word or music program on the air.
“We want people who want to do a music or spoken show. If you have something to offer, we’ll give you a spot,” she said.
“The more people are involved and know they’re welcome, the more things we’ll change.”
People interested to learn more or offer feedback can send an email to ddbfm@bigpond.com or call Sara 0437 493 403.