By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) approved Rose City FM’s new lease at the recent Ordinary Council Meeting, held on 15 December.
The lease, for their new location in Victoria Park, is the last hurdle the radio needed to get over before they begin moving from their current location in Rosenthal Heights.
SDRC also granted delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate any dealings relating to this matter with Rose City FM.
The radio’s current location at 20-28 Willi Street, Rosenthal Heights, is part of the old Council depot.
The lease expired on 31 December 2019 and has been extended using the holding over clause pending a new purpose built building being constructed for Rose City FM through funding from 2019-2021 Works for Queensland Program.
In October 2020, SDRC resolved to approve the relocation and construction of Rose City FM to Victoria Park.
The tender for the construction of the building was awarded to Roulston Builders Pty Ltd. The building was completed in September 2021.
The new lease and old lease overlap so that Rose City FM can relocate to the new facility in stages to ensure continuous broadcasting.
Once Rose City FM have completely relocated to the new site in Victoria Park the lease at Willi Street will be surrendered.
The new location is proposed to be fully operational from the new building by March 2022 pending Rose City FM finding a suitable site around Warwick for their broadcasting antenna.
They are currently having discussions with private landholders regarding a possible site.
The lease will be negotiated and finalised in accordance with the Local Government Regulation 2012 whilst adhering to the relevant provisions of Council’s Lease Policy, the Land Title Practice Manual, the Land Act 1994 and Council standard terms and conditions for community tenure.
The construction of the building in Victoria Park was funded primarily from the 2019-2021 Works from Queensland Program under the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.
Annual rent will produce an income of $223.74 including GST in accordance with Council’s Lease Policy.
In the meeting, SDRC Mayor, Vic Pennisi, said the motion was “really just a formality”.
Councillor Marco Gliori said he was happy to move the motion, with Councillor Sheryl Windle seconding it.
