Locals and visitors to Byron are now greeted by brand new signs directing them to Bay FM 99.9 Local Radio.
Located on Ewingsdale Road near the turn off to the Industrial Estate and on Broken Head Rd. near Red Devil Park, the signs have been 35 years in the making but now stand proud at both entrances to town.
Their installation was given a big nudge last year when broadcaster Nell Schofield wrote to Independent Byron Shire Councillor Mark Swivel in 2024 explaining the need for station signage. “There was no way of visitors knowing about BayFM and we could give them a free education in the very thing they come here for – local Byron culture.” Nell said.
Swivel moved the motion at the September 2024 Council meeting at which Schofield spoke powerfully about how signs could help the station connect with listeners especially since Bay FM was approaching its 35th anniversary on air. Afterwards, Councillors unanimously agreed to support the motion to get station signage.
I took a year of meetings and correspondence with Council staff and other Management Committee members like Nick Richardson to finally get the signs in place but they will now serve to increase listenership and connectivity across our community.