Bondi radio to fight legal case

BONDI'S laid-back local cafe-cum-radio station has been hit with legal action over $110,000 in unpaid taxes and superannuation.

By InvestSMART · 9 Dec 2012

By InvestSMART ·
9 Dec 2012

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BONDIS laid-back local cafe-cum-radio station has been hit with legal action over $110,000 in unpaid taxes and superannuation.

Bondi Broadcasting Company, which owns Bondi FM cafe, owes $43, 636 in staff superannuation payments dating back to mid-2010, and $66,312 tax, according to documents filed with the Federal Court in NSW.

The Deputy Commissioner of Taxation has applied to the court for an order to wind up the company and for a liquidator to be appointed. The matter will be heard in February. However, the cafes owner, Nathalie Ayers, said she expected the matter to be sorted out within weeks and dismissed.

Bondi FM radio station operates out of the same premises as the cafe as a low-power open narrowcasting service at the 88.0 frequency. Mrs Ayers said the licence was owned by Bondi Media Group, which is not named in the legal action. However, Bondi Media Group was deregistered in 2009, according to documents filed with the corporate regulator.

Bondi Broadcasting was registered in February 2009 by Nathalie and Russell Ayers and started operating a few months later as the first radio station/cafe/bar in Australia sitting a few blocks from the beach. The bar and cafe host many events, including garage sales and dance parties, while the radio station draws 5000 listeners every day.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What legal action is Bondi Broadcasting Company (Bondi FM cafe) currently facing?

The Deputy Commissioner of Taxation has applied to the Federal Court in NSW for an order to wind up Bondi Broadcasting Company and to appoint a liquidator, citing unpaid tax and superannuation. The court application is due to be heard in February.

How much does Bondi Broadcasting owe in unpaid taxes and superannuation?

According to court documents, Bondi Broadcasting owes a total of about $110,000 — $66,312 in tax and $43,636 in unpaid staff superannuation dating back to mid‑2010.

Could the wind‑up application affect Bondi FM's radio licence or broadcasts?

The article notes that the radio licence was said to be owned by Bondi Media Group, which is not named in the legal action. The piece does not report any direct court action against the licence or broadcasts, so any impact on the licence is not specified in the article.

Who owns Bondi FM’s licence and what is the significance of Bondi Media Group being deregistered?

According to Bondi FM’s owner, Nathalie Ayers, the 88.0 frequency licence is owned by Bondi Media Group. Documents filed with the corporate regulator show Bondi Media Group was deregistered in 2009. The article does not provide further details on legal consequences of that deregistration.

When will the Federal Court hear the winding‑up application against Bondi Broadcasting?

The Deputy Commissioner’s application to wind up the company and appoint a liquidator is scheduled to be heard in February, according to the article.

What have the owners of Bondi FM and the cafe said about the legal action?

Owner Nathalie Ayers said she expected the matter to be sorted out within weeks and dismissed, despite the tax and superannuation claims and the Deputy Commissioner’s winding‑up application.

How does Bondi FM operate and how big is its audience?

Bondi FM operates from the same premises as the cafe and bar as a low‑power open narrowcasting service on the 88.0 frequency. Bondi Broadcasting was registered in February 2009 by Nathalie and Russell Ayers and later promoted itself as a radio station/cafe/bar. The radio reportedly draws about 5,000 listeners every day and the venue hosts events like garage sales and dance parties.

What does the unpaid superannuation claim mean for employees and everyday investors following this story?

The article states Bondi Broadcasting owes $43,636 in staff superannuation payments dating back to mid‑2010, which indicates employees are potentially owed entitlements. For everyday investors or local stakeholders, unpaid staff entitlements and a creditor‑led wind‑up application are signals of financial stress in a small business, though the owners have said they expect the issue to be resolved quickly.