Ballina’s Paradise FM is battling a major technical breakdown that has left the community radio station relying on automated programming while urgent replacement equipment is brought in.

The station is not off air, but its volunteers have been unable to safely go live after what management committee member Geoff Hutchinson has described as a series of “cascading failures” over recent weeks.

The 101.9 FM station, which has served the community for 25 years, had already been trying to raise about $100,000 to replace ageing equipment and secure its long-term future.

Tax-deductible donations can be made in person during office hours at the station’s studios at 42 Cherry Street.

Long-time Paradise FM manager Jenny Ellenbroek

Now that need has become more pressing.

According to Mr Hutchinson, the system has become so fragile that simply opening the microphone and pushing up the slider can cause the whole setup to collapse.

Station manager Jenny Ellenbroek said the broader financial challenge remained serious.

“Without that funding it would be very borderline as to whether we could keep operating,” she said.

“The capital cost of investment into new equipment to keep the station running is massive.”

Citizen of the Year steps in

But Paradise FM’s rescue effort has landed in experienced local hands.

Last year, Mr Hutchinson spearheaded fundraising that helped bring in $150,000 towards Ballina Marine Rescue’s new patrol boat, the BA30 — an effort that contributed to him being named Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year this year.

Now he and his wife Debbie are turning those same fundraising talents towards helping save Paradise FM.

Mr Hutchinson, who manages the station’s website and social media, moved quickly after the latest equipment crisis emerged.

He reached out to one of the major local families that backed the Marine Rescue campaign, and they responded immediately.

In his account of the crisis, Mr Hutchinson said a family with a charitable trust stepped in with a substantial donation after being approached for help.

Marine Rescue Ballina Captain Geoff Hutchinson, pictured with the book he wrote and sold to raise funds for the new patrol boat last year.

Community backing critical

Paradise FM has held a permanent broadcast licence since 2001 and has built a loyal local audience with a mix of music from the 1960s to the 1990s, community information and local news.

The station has about 450 subscribers and around 80 corporate sponsors, and is largely run by volunteers.

Mr Hutchinson said the public response so far had been heartening.

“So far the community’s been fantastic and many have donated money to help future-proof the station.”

He also said the community had been “sensational” in backing the appeal.

That support allowed Paradise FM to replace two studio computers and a production computer this week.

The station is now waiting on new mixing desks being imported from the United States, with hopes of returning to normal live programming by the end of this week.

Well-known breakfast host Lloyd Morris said community backing would be crucial.

“Any volunteer organisation is going to be doing tough at the moment,” he said.

“No one has disposable income, so that makes it harder for everybody, not just us.”

Mr Morris said the station had proved its value during difficult times, including natural disasters.

“I’ve been here since before the floods, and the floods showed me what a community can do,” he said.

“I believe in this town and the people of this town. It’s an amazing community.”

The difficulties at Paradise FM come as other community broadcasters also face financial pressure, with Sydney station 2SER revealing this week it is also in trouble after losing university funding support.

Despite the setbacks, Paradise FM’s campaign has already raised about $25,000 since launching at the end of March.

Ms Ellenbroek said the station remained an important source of local information for Ballina.

Above: Breakfast presenter Lloyd Morris gets a few more days sleep in before new equipment arrives from the US.

Main image: a graphic generated to support the fundraiser, although Ms Ellenbroek has stressed, “there was no fire”.

“I know from feedback that the community of all ages knows to go to Paradise FM if there’s something really going on in Ballina,” she said.

For now, Paradise FM’s remains on air with it’s “best of all time” music promise.

But until the new equipment arrives and live broadcasting can resume, one of Ballina’s longest-running local voices is operating in survival mode.