ABC Australia cyclone proofs its Queensland studio

The ABC’s new building in the tropical Queensland town of Mackay – the corporation’s newest and toughest facility was officially opened last week, and it has been designed to withstand floods and cyclones.

ABC’s Manager Regional Local Radio Tony Rasmussen says the station has also been moved to higher ground in low-lying Mackay to avoid interference to broadcasting during these critical emergency periods.

The previous building had been assessed as being at high risk if the town were to experience a one-in-a-hundred year flood, with estimates that the water would have come right up to the ceiling.

The new premises are much safer, with expectations that the water will now only reach the front steps.

Rasmussen says the ABC gets better and better at optimising the functionality of buildings each time one of these big projects is completed.