For 31 years veteran Triple M broadcaster Mark Strachan has been delivering his well-oiled morning show to Mid North Coast audiences from the same studio in central Port Macquarie.

On Monday, he’ll arrive for work at the usual time of 4am, but it will be to a spectacular new environment in the heart of the Sovereign Hills community.

“It’s a day I never thought I’d see, it’s as simple as that,” smiled Strawny from behind the control panel of his purpose-built studio.

Southern Cross Austereo has officially moved its regional media centre into the Sovereign Place Town Centre.

General Manager Mike Crowhurst said the team was incredibly excited about the transition to its new headquarters and their first Sovereign Place broadcast on 20 April.

“There is a lot of history in the old premises, but we’re extremely excited to be moving to a state-of-the-art-premises, and it’s going to be a building we’re proud to bring our clients and listeners through.

“Mark Strachan, in particular, can’t believe what he’s going to be broadcasting from… Imagine being in the same studio for 30 years, to walk into a new studio where everything is new; the microphones, headphones, monitors, speakers and the same consoles as the metro markets.

“SCA is proudly national and fiercely local and they have invested in the area. They realise how important we are to the community.”

Lewis Land Group Head of Development Michael Long said Sovereign Place offers an opportunity to create a purpose-built environment for local business to evolve and thrive.

“We’re thrilled Sovereign Place could provide the blank canvas for SCA to customise their broadcasting and customer experience,” said Mr Long. “Our town centre will grow to five times the size you see today so there will be more great opportunities for local and regional companies to join SCA and take their business to the next level here.

“Our community is looking forward to welcoming our newest Sovereign Hills locals.”

“As the Port Macquarie region continues to grow, it’s quite exciting to be locating ourselves in an area earmarked further growth. It will be exciting to see this whole area continue to develop,” added Mike Crowhurst.

Joining Strawny in the neighbouring studio on Monday will be Hit FM brekkie crew Bodge and Krysti, and announcer ‘James in the arvo’.

The media centre, located on the corner of John Oxley and Chancellors Drives, will also be home to SCA’s radio and television news and sales teams.

However, the staff complement won’t join their on-air counterparts until the social COVID-19 distancing measures are relaxed.

It’s then SCA plans to officially launch and celebrate their new home and next chapter.

In the meantime, they’re looking forward to settling into the new surrounds and showcasing their headquarters online, urging us to watch this space.

“The changes in the industry and technology in 33 years has been amazing,” shared Strawny. “What I can now do by myself was once the job of three people, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our immediacy.

“This is a tough time for business, but this shows a great commitment from our company to what we’re doing in the area and it’s a real shot in the arm for regional media.

“I always close the show with an Eddie Cantor song ‘Making the best of each day’; you just never know what tomorrow is going to bring.”