Surf Net Victoria

WE HAVE A WINNER

Elf Radio has appeared broadcasting at 32kbps and is officially the winner of being the first Christmas radio station to appear for 2026

Looks like East Gippsland has a new player in town, although it looks like a new online streaming station rather than on your traditional radio, unless they obtain some LPONs in various towns, which is never out of the question

East Gippsland's Newest Radio Station, Launching October 1st.

James Yeates Print and Communications, Bairnsdale Advertiser, Snowy River Mail, Lakes Post & Printing,

INVESTIGATION TIME

We've had a nice chat with a representative at SBS Radio, it seems several relays outside of the metro areas are not on air

They have left each licence in the hands of the local council to run and maintain. So far, we've found that the Bendigo 95.7 and Morwell 90.9 licences are no longer in existence

Adding to this, it seems Mildura's 98.7 and Wodonga's 89.5 are also off air

We also have a tip off that Myrtleford (97.3), Ballarat (95.9) and Maryborough (104.5) are all off air

In fact, much of the relays nationwide are apparently not turned on

So, what happened? SBS signed an agreement with the local councils to supply the service on a 5 year contract. After that, they didn't need to

Based on the notes we've received, and a deep dive into the archives, we've found the following

Maryborough 104.5 has been off air since 2017-18
Bendigo 95.7 has been off air and unlicenced since 2015
Morwell 90.9 has been off air and unlicenced since 2018
Ballarat 95.9 has been off air since 2016
Myrtleford 97.3 has been off air since 2018-19
Wodonga 89.5 has been off air since 2021-22

There's others into NSW we found to be off air around the same time period, we suspect other states are as well, but since this is a Victorian page, we'll stay in our home state on this one

We have official word from these local councils that they don't actually intend on putting these services back on air, citing that SBS Radio can be obtained through Digital TV and online streaming

SBS have also stated that they can't afford to obtain these licences themselves, due to financial costs associated with them, so they let the local councils do it instead

So, why are they holding onto these licences and renewing them without any interest in putting SBS Radio on air? (with the exception of Bendigo and Morwell, who let the licences go)

With the AM to FM conversions happening around the state, it doesn't make sense to hoard these licences, which the Australian Communications and Media Authority should be more productive about

Former 3AW news reader, Tony Tardio, has sounded the warnings over 3AW's treatment of their AFL coverage, compared to their counterparts in Sydney with their NRL coverage

Warning bells for 3AW’s Football coverage Why Sydney management of radio 3AW need to be careful and not under...

New Zealand's The Rock has appeared on Melbourne digital radio, on SEN's multiplex at 32kbps

As we all know, Vision Australia Radio (RPH) stopped providing regular programming on the 31st of June, after that date they supplied a 2 week loop of music and their 30 minute special on how to listen to Vision Australia Radio via Digital Radio and online

From the 13th of July they turned the audio off, but the transmitter was left on

Until now

The backup transmitter has finally been turned off as of last night, and there is no signal on 1179 AM any more

Which tells us that absolutely nobody wanted to bring a new community radio service to Melbourne

Not a single one at all

Where are all the groups from the 90's who were battling it out for a licence? Gone

That tells you all you need to know about the state of Community radio. In all honesty, there should have been at least 5 groups all pushing and shoving over this absolute goldmine of a Melbourne wide licence

Instead, it's gone off air

Where is everyone?

DX Alert: Anyone in Melbourne (and anywhere else, you can try too) - We have reports of Tasmanian stations booming in tonight

Launceston and Northern Tasmania
89.3 LA FM
90.1 Chilli FM
90.9 Triple J
91.7 ABC Northern Tasmania
92.5 News Radio.
93.3 ABC Classic FM
94.1 Radio National

Plus community stations
103.7 City Park Radio
105.3 Way FM

Plus. Lileah/Burnie/Smithton
89.7 Radio National
90.5 News Radio.
91.3 ABC Northern Tasmania

Plus. Burnie
107.7 Sea FM and their 102.9 repeater
100.5 ABC Northern Tasmania

R.I.P. Dolly Parton
1946 - 2026

Let's cover something we don't often cover

The services under the callsign of 3SBSFM - otherwise known as SBS Radio.

The most common services of SBS are in Melbourne on 1224 AM and 93.1 FM

Outside of Melbourne, their relays are managed by the local City Council, these include

Ballarat City Council - 95.9 FM (In Ballarat)
Mildura Rural City Council - 98.7 FM (In Mildura)
Central Goldfields Shire Council - 104.5 FM (In Maryborough)
Alpine Shire - 97.3 FM (In Myrtleford)
Wodonga City Council - 89.5 FM (In Wodonga)

There's been some classic stories from other states where these Council managed transmissions are either off air or playing something entirely different, like in Port Macquarie where SBS World Movies was found to be broadcasting on 107.7 instead of SBS Radio - which we believe the local council has since rectified

We also believe there used to be listings for Bendigo on 95.7 FM and Morwell on 90.9 FM - but neither are appearing in the ACMA database, so we're assuming they were discontinued by their local councils

The question is, are the Victorian frequencies we've stated, working as they should? Is your local council managing these stations?

We're intrigued

What do you get when you combine the words "North" and "West" together?

Nest

That's exactly what the sub-metro community licence covering Coburg, Broadmeadows and Craigieburn areas, North West FM are rebrandimg as from Sunday 30th August, as Nest FM

NORTH WEST FM ANNOUNCES MAJOR RELAUNCH AS ‘NEST RADIO’ WITH LIVE COMMUNITY EVENT
Long-standing community broadcaster North West FM has announced an exciting new chapter in its history, officially transitioning to Nest Radio on Sunday, 30th August 2026 from 11am – 2pm.

The change marks a vibrant new era for the station under new leadership, while firmly maintaining its roots. Operating under the same original broadcast license granted in 1993, and callsign: 3NOW, Nest Radio will carry the legacy forward with the existing lineup of beloved presenters and diverse programs remaining right where they are.

The new name is a reference to the station’s geographic heart while embracing the idea of the "nest" as a vital sense of place, community connection, and organic growth.

To celebrate the relaunch, Nest Radio is opening its doors to the public on August 30th for a massive Launch Party. The community is invited to come down to the studios, meet their favourite presenters, enjoy a community BBQ, and much more.

In line with the station’s commitment to its audience, local music will take centre stage with a bunch of local artists performing live and broadcasting direct-to-air from the station’s green room.

They will also be handing the microphone directly to the listeners to help build a brand-new audio identity. Attendees at the launch event will have the unique opportunity to step into the studios and record station IDs and jingles, ensuring the community genuinely becomes the literal voice of their radio station.

“Nest Radio is about exciting new beginnings, but it’s also about honouring the incredible connection we’ve built with our listeners over the years,” said Matt Spain, the station’s president and on-air presenter. “By bringing the community into the studio to record our new station idents, we are making sure Nest Radio sounds exactly like the community it serves.”

Listeners can still tune into the exact same frequency on the dial at 98.9 FM, and can explore the station’s shiny new digital home at https://nest.radio/

• What: Nest Radio Launch Party
• When: 11am – 2pm, Sunday 30th August 2026
• Where: Nest Radio Studios – 100 Middle St Hadfield
• Featuring: Live bands broadcasting from the green room, community BBQ, station tour, and live listener voice recording sessions. See less