An application from YDAC for permission to use land on the JB McGregor Reservoir complex to erect a tower and communications hut so it can broadcast from January 4 was also delayed until the next council meeting, which may be as late as mid October.

Council’s strong stance to back 2YYY was played out before a public gallery of 60 people, most of whom were supporters of the station, but was not unanimous.

Three councillors Anthony King, Fran Hewlett and John Walker opposed these decisions, saying council had no power in the dispute between the parties and was ignoring the reality that the regulator had already determined the arrangement which would proceed.

Cr Walker asked why details of the 2YYY financial situation were not tabled at the meeting if this was being used as a reason for the arts council to withdraw.

Cr Hewlett said no amount of popularity was going to overturn the government decision, with the regulator censuring such popular radio personalities as Alan Jones and John Laws in the past.

Cr King said it was petty to put obstacles up and make it more difficult for arts council volunteers who would be running the station anyway.

Cr John Drum said it was time for the people to forget their animosity and do what is best for Young as a whole and advocated 2YYY’s retaining its sole licencee, saying it was not an issue of popularity but what was right.

Cr Stuart Freudenstein termed the shared agreement as being wasteful and unworkable, “The ACMA might be a power above us, but we don’t have to agree with it and we can be firmly against their decision.

Why should we go along with them, six months is just crazy stuff.”

He said it seemed sensible for 2YYY to continue to fix the problems of the past and keep broadcasting, advocating the arts council join with the station rather than operate independently from January.

He said the decisions taken at the council meeting would give 2YYY some breathing space.