Sydney's 2SER community radio to avoid closure under reduced model
Sydney community radio station 2SER faced an uncertain future after Macquarie University announced it would be withdrawing funding last year. (Radio National: Sophie Kesteven)
In short:
Sydney community radio station 2SER will continue to broadcast beyond July under a reduced funding and staffing model.
The University of Technology Sydney will become the sole funder of the station.
What's next?
Former ABC presenter and current 2SER volunteer Robbie Buck says the station needs to secure its future with other financial partners.
Sydney community radio station 2SER will avoid being switched off in July under a reduced capacity model put to the station's owners, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
The station was facing closure after Macquarie University announced it was withdrawing around half the station's funding late last year.
Macquarie University provided $325,395 in core funding, while UTS provided $320,400, according to the latest available annual report at the end of 2024.
2SER has approximately 100 volunteers who contribute to the station. (Radio National: Sophie Kesteven)
2SER, or Sydney Educational Radio, is owned by UTS, which will become the sole core funder.
2SER Board Member and Dean of the Faculty of Design and Society at UTS, Professor James Bennett, said the new model put a new path forward for the station.
"I'm pleased to say the station has definitely got a future," Professor Bennett told 702 ABC Sydney.
"It's taken a lot of work from the volunteer community staff here at UTS and the station manager, but also with a transition director we brought in, Tony Duke, to kind of find a model that allows us to move out of a period of uncertainty and onto more forward-facing ground."
"We can start working with the community again on fundraising and also a future vision for the station together."
The new model was formed after a series of meetings with a working group of staff and alumni representatives, including former station manager Paula Kruger, UTS media academic Liz Giuffre, and the UTS board.
Radio consultant Tony Duke will be appointed as transitional director of 2SER.
Staffing at the mostly volunteer-run station will be reduced from eight to six. Staff are currently being consulted about their futures at the station.
"We've got to get to a leaner, more efficient model," Professor Bennett said.
"We've got to change all of the roles to one degree or another."
Some former staff and volunteers have welcomed the move to keep the station running, but hoped to see the station eventually restored to the size it operated at before Macquarie's funding withdrawal.
'More work to be done'
Former ABC radio presenter Robbie Buck, who got his start working as a general assistant for 2SER and has recently presented shows on the station, said it was terrific news for independent radio listeners.
Robbie Buck welcomed the news, but says more work needs to be done. (ABC)
"It's a great day for independent media in Sydney,"Buck said.
"There's still more work to be done.
"I'd like to see UTS opening up conversations with other potential partners so we can see the funding being restored to full capacity and have a wonderful cultural institution like 2SER not just existing but thriving."
The news of 2SER's possible closure sparked the Love 2SER campaign and attracted more than 6,000 signatures calling for UTS to pledge ongoing financial support for the station with or without funding partners.
Recent research from Monash University found that community radio contributed around $153 million in net value to the Australian music industry every year.
It said this value came from stations coordinating live gigs, airplay and promoting local and emerging artists.