The Future of Community Radio

Written By Laura Harper

The Future of Community Radio Workshop brought together more than 100 artists, broadcasters, policymakers and music industry stakeholders to close out the Regional & Remote Music Summit. Over 90 minutes, participants worked collectively to identify what community radio needs to remain a vital platform for local music, regional voices, and cultural infrastructure.

Delivered in partnership with the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) and co-designed with Jane Slingo (VibeLab), this session built on last year’s Future of Festivals workshop, which encouraged participants to shift their thinking from immediate crises toward long-term possibilities. Using a similar rapid-fire, large-group format, we developed a framework to help the sector think ahead, identify challenges and opportunities, and prioritise actions to support community radio now and into the future.

Groups focused on three interconnected themes:

  • Music Discovery & Amplifying Local Voices

  • Infrastructure & Access

  • Community Radio & Music Industry Partnerships

There was a positive, shared determination to elevate community radio’s role within Australia’s music ecosystem—especially in regional and remote areas, where over 70% of licences are held and stations are cultural anchors for their communities.

Read the full report:
Future of Community Radio – Regional & Remote Music Summit 2025 (PDF)

The Future of Community Radio Workshop, 2025

More than 70% of community radio licences are located in regional and remote Australia where stations serve as vital cultural anchors.

Laura Harper
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