ABC has announced it will move its Adelaide operations from its iconic Collinswood building from 2029.
A feasibility study between the public broadcaster and the South Australian government will be undertaken to explore the relocation, expected to have ABC and South Australian Government arts organisations Country Arts, State Theatre and State Opera moving to a central location.
Collinswood is approximately six kilometres from the Adelaide CBD.
The Collinswood building, opened by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in March 1974, combined both ABC television and radio facilities. This was in contrast to other cities, particularly Sydney, where ABC had functions spread over 27 buildings, and in Melbourne across 13 buildings.
The building is reported to be no longer suitable to support the technology, production and staff requirements across all ABC teams that work there. More than 200 ABC staff occupy the building.
ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: “We’re very excited to be working with the South Australian government on this opportunity to ensure our facilities are built for the technological requirements of a modern national broadcaster. The feasibility study marks the start of the process that will help us determine the best outcome for everyone who works at ABC Adelaide and the best site to continue creating the content and services the public expects of us.”
The move to a smaller premises for ABC is not envisioned to impact on staffing numbers or services provided.
The feasibility study will include input from staff, stakeholders and current lease holders at Collinswood.
Source: ABC, ABC. Australian Broadcasting Commission: Forty Second Annual Report, 1973-74.
