96five Building Project Updates
Check back for regular updates as we move to our new permanent home in Taringa!
We’re Moving In!
29 July 2024
After some minor renovations and necessary technical upgrades were made to Level 1 of 96five’s new building in Taringa, the majority of staff are now officially working from the new premises.
The on-air content and production teams continue to operate out of the studios in Alderley while the Level 2 renovations and construction of studios (Stage 1A) enters the next building phase.
As we head towards a mid-to-late October completion date, attention is now directed to a myriad of smaller but just as important tasks. The building team is focused on finishing off bulkheads and air-conditioning ducts, preparing for plastering and painting, setting up the computer and broadcast server room and the installation of a 6-metre roof-top antennae.
The Level 2 construction zone at Taringa remains incident-free without encountering any delays in the supply of materials or shortage of capable, committed workers.
Your prayers are powerful and effective, calling on God’s provision and protection!
Thank you for continuing to lift-up the 96five team as we operate effectively across two sites for the next couple of months.
Refurbishments continue for Stage 1A
24 June 2024
Construction continues on-site at 6 Moorak Street, Taringa with Stage 1A on track to be completed by October 2024. We are thankful for a safe and clean worksite meeting all OH&S requirements with no injuries to date. The purpose-built studio doors are on their way and windows for the Production space are going to be installed soon.
Audio Producers Joe and Justin were able to visit what will be their new workspaces in the future, safe to say they look pretty happy with the progress being made.
Main Framing and Roof Insulation Underway
22 May 2024
Construction continues on-site at 6 Moorak Street, Taringa including partially demolishing the ceiling and the installation of the first layer of the studio and roof insulation. Main framing has also gone up allowing us to get a glimpse of what the future holds in the new building.
Next steps, starting to install the first layers of sheeting and the installation of a new electrical switchboard.
Building Approval Permit Granted
11 April 2024
This week the Development Approval Permit/Building Approval was granted. The civil, electrical, structural, mechanical, hydraulic, and access conditions associated with our refurbishment plans at Taringa have met all the compliance requirements. Work continued this week including the removal of the old carpet and concrete grinding of the top floor.
Demolition Begins at Moorak Street, Taringa
3 April 2024
On Tuesday 2nd April, work began at 6 Moorak Street Taringa!
Demolition is now underway for Level 1 with Building Approval to follow in the new few weeks. This is a really significant moment in the history of 96five and we appreciate your financial and prayer support throughout the ongoing building project.
Building Hope Appeal
Wednesday 6 – Friday 8 March 2024
On Wednesday we opened the mics hoping to close the funding gap and be able to start the first stage of the building refurbishment at 96five’s new, permanent home in Taringa.
The original on-air target of $150,000 was the minimum amount needed to get the project underway and was a part of a much bigger strategy off-air – the number required to finish the first stage of the refurbishment and construction of the first stage of studios and production suites at Moorak Street will be almost double this figure.
But thanks to incredible, unexpected and humbling generosity by many of you, the listeners and supporters of 96five, you blew the original target out of the water, which means not only can we start Stage 1, but we now have the funds to finish the first stage. The total amount raised at the close of broadcast 7pm on Friday was $316,000.
Thank you for your faithfulness to this ministry. You’ve captured and championed the vision of what it will mean for 96five, a Christian Media ministry to have a purpose-built, permanent home in this city. The legacy of your gift and prayers will continue for generations to come.
Your Support is Needed
February, 2024
By God’s grace and the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to raise and quarantine the $670,000 needed to start work on Level 2 of 96five’s new ministry home in Taringa! Between now and completion of Stage 1A (due mid-2024), we will need to raise an additional $288,000 for contract completion and associated works. Due to a number of challenges including, but not limited to increases in building costs, we need to conduct a short, 3-day, on-air appeal from Wednesday 6th – Friday 8th March. The purpose for this appeal will be to raise $150,000 towards the $288,000 required to ensure Stage 1A can be completed (see the drawing of Stage 1A here).
Raising the necessary funding for this Stage will see the momentous move of 96five, and the first broadcast commencing from Taringa!
Please listen for this appeal, pray for its success, or jump on board now with a gift today!
I would like to support 96five’s new home
Building Plans Finalised
February, 2024
Great news! The building plans for Stage 1A (see the approved drawings here) have been successfully signed-off with supporting documentation submitted for building approval. It’s anticipated our builder will commence demolition and start refurbishing our new broadcast and production studios in the coming weeks.
This has been a challenging season, our building timeline and budget have been significantly impacted with some cost-increases exceeding 40% largely due the post-Covid building supply markets. In practical terms, this means that we have needed to split the planned second level refurbishment into two stages, with a smaller than anticipated first-stage set to go-ahead immediately. This is immensely exciting, we’re talking about purpose-built facilities to deliver a high-quality Christian broadcast.
New Year Building Project Update
January, 2024
Thanks to the generosity of our listeners and financial supporters during last years November Appeal, 91.1% of the funding goal which included regular operational costs and an additional $278,000 of $375,000 that was needed for renovation costs
Meetings continue with architect, builder, A/C contractor, acoustic engineer, electrical engineer, electrical contractor to work through building compliancy and certification, redesigning layouts and revising quotes.
Due to the increasing costs in the construction industry, fundraising shortfalls and unanticipated site enhancements, Phase 2 has now been split into two stages, Stage 1A and Stage 1B. This strategic decision enables us to exercise prudent financial management while preventing any further delays in the transition to Taringa. Stage 1A encompasses the finalisation of a recording space that will serve as dual-function on-air studios until the completion of of Stage 1B.
Here For Good – 96five’s New Home
In 2021, the decision was made by the Board and Senior Management that 96five needed to find a permanent home in our city. Moving from a temporary location to our own ‘home’ brings stability and sustainability to the ministry’s long term future as well increasing our reach into the community.
Coupled with savings and the generosity of a group of donors, 96five was able to purchase 6 Moorak Street, Taringa in 2023. This is a significant milestone in the history of 96five and is a culmination of decades of prayer and investment on many levels.
The property is located 6 kilometres southwest of the Brisbane CBD and is situated in the middle of the retail/commercial heart of Taringa Village, just off Moggill Road. Built in the 1980’s, the property is three stories comprising a basement carpark with two office levels above. A diesel generator in the basement provides 100% emergency backup power.
Want to learn more? Check out the Here For Good Investment Proposal.
Check out our new home with Tim and Christie!
What’s Next
While Level 1 has undergone recent renovations, Level 2 of the building is in original order and requires extension renovation to not only bring the building up to code but to build new, purpose-built broadcast and production studios.
Phase 1 – Building Purchase – Complete
This purchase is miraculous and the 96five board and management firmly believe that 6 Moorak Street is the property that many have been praying for. It ticks off 16 of the 17 items we had on the wish list including but not limited to:
- Within 10km of the Brisbane CBD
- 400-750m2
- Sufficient onsite carparks
- Line of sight to Mt Coot-tha
- Good access to major arterial
The only requirement that we were unable to meet fully was that the purchase price was understandably higher than when we first started searching for our new home.
Phase 2 – Planning and Construction – In Progress
- Stage 1A – Construction of studios, side entrance ramps, partial refurbishment of Level 2
Phase 3 – Relocation
- Stage 1B – Completion of remaining studios and refurbishment of Level 2
Phase 4 – Future Necessary Capital Works
- Stage 2 – Upgrading and construction of Unisex bathrooms on both levels, main entrance ramps, refurbishment of Level 1
- Stage 3 – Installation of accessibility elevator, construction of new entrance lobby, replacement of roof, modifying undercover carpark
How You Can Help
Your financial gift to this momentous project in the station’s almost 50-year history will be a part of launching 96five into next phase of ministry and impact.
I would like to support 96five’s new home
If you’re unable to give at this time, would you pray? Pray for the construction process, and that God would be glorified through this significant transition.