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Victoria's commercial radio stations become official emergency broadcasters

On 26 October 2009, the Victorian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (an MOU) with Commercial Radio Australia for more than 40 commercial radio stations across Victoria to become official emergency broadcasters.

The formal agreement between commercial radio stations and the Victorian Government for the broadcast of emergency warnings will provide Victorians with greater access to information and warnings during bushfires and other emergencies.

The agreement, signed by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services Bob Cameron and Joan Warner, Chief Executive Officer Commercial Radio Australia, is the first of its kind between the government and commercial radio stations. Under the agreement, commercial radio broadcasters will broadcast emergency warnings as requested by emergency services to notify commercial radio listeners of an emergency - such as a bushfire - in their area. This includes interrupting programming and going to continuous coverage where necessary.

The agreement with Commercial Radio Australia covers commercial radio stations in Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Warragul, Mildura, Albury/Wodonga, Colac, Hamilton, Swan Hill, Sale, Horsham, Warrnambool and Wangaratta. A full list of participating radio stations is included in the agreement document.