Tuesday, 6 February  2007 

Reporter: Jodie van de Wetering

Back in 1964, the site was in the middle of nowhere. But today, the block of land just a few hundred metres from the beachfront is worth a great deal of money.

In December last year the transmitters were decommissioned, when the new facility in nearby Dundowran was switched on. With all broadcasting now coming from the new site, it was time to say goodbye to the old radio masts.

The old masts were 137 metres tall - that would have been called 455 feet back when they were built.

Demolition crews used six kilograms of explosives to sever the guide cables on one side of both masts. Then, the tension in the remaining cables pulled the masts down.

It was a textbook demolition, with the towers landing exactly where planned. The State Emergency Service was on standby and several local roads blocked off to ensure bystanders' safety, since the site is in the middle of a residential area.

Residents in the area were warned before the demolition, and a small crowd of locals and radio enthusiasts turned out, cameras in hand, to bid farewell to the transmitters.

After so many years, the masts have become local landmarks. Many fishermen out at sea used the red flashing lights on top of the towers as beacons to find their way home.

At 10:57 this morning, the time had come. Three warning sirens were given before the shotfirer did his work and a few minutes later, the masts fell slowly to earth.

Meanwhile, life goes on at the new transmitter site on Sorrensens Road, Dundowran. It's a rural area, and the new masts jut out of a landscape dominated by canefields, bush, and the occasional goat.

But in 43 years, it might be a different story...

Watch the transmitters fall: you can experience the few minutes leading up to the blast with our online videos. Both RealVideo and Windows Media versions are available, so you can watch with the player of your choice. Smaller files are availble for users on slower internet connections. So, just click on the video that suits your connection and player preference, and watch a slice of local history.