Drive ends with show on its way to Cairns

THE ABC is ending its Townsville- based Drive program next year, with the afternoon broadcast to come from Cairns.

The change was unveiled yesterday as part of the national broadcaster’s promotion of its 2018 radio line- ups.

The ABC will cut two of the five Drive programs across the state, with the remaining three operating from the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns.

Drive shows will also extend from two to three hours.

Under the new line- up, Townsville Drive presenter Pat Hession will present Mornings for Townsville from July.

The program will be presented by Andy Toulson for the first half of the year and extended from one hour to two.

Local listeners will receive a North Queensland Drive program from Cairns, presented by Adam Stephen.

Early Morning country, previously broadcast from Bundaberg, will now be produced in Townsville and presented by Michael Clarke.

ABC Regional Queensland editor Cathie Schnitzerling said a Townsville- based producer would be hired to create content for the Drive program.

“There will be no jobs lost in the North Queensland office,” she said. “We’ll also be recruiting a senior journalist to act as a regional sub- editor and there’s an indigenous traineeship being added in Townsville as well. Townsville was selected for that role.”

Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said she would rather see ABC North Queensland add services than lose them.

“I think it is quite unfortunate because a lot of people do listen to that ABC Drive program,” she said.

“The ABC is being pressed to deliver more services but with less funding. We will have some production here but it won’t be the same as what we’ve had with Pat Hession.”

ABC NQ commands 8.4 per cent of Townsville’s radio market and is the most popular station among over 65s.