Community television station Access 31 has collapsed, only one month after supposedly securing station-saving funding from a Perth property developer.

The station was broadcasting a farewell test pattern tonight saying: “June 18 1999 to August 6. Access 31 thanks all our loyal viewers, sponsors and program providers for your support”. A $500,000 rescue package in July pledged by Perth architect, property developer and sustainability expert Garry Baverstock seemed to have secured the station’s future.

But producer and host of The Couch Fred Mafrica said he had received a call from the station’s operations manager Dallas Ford today saying that he had five days to “clear out all his stuff”.

Mr Mafrica said that Lotterywest had withdrawn its $250,000 grant, which led to Mr Baverstock pulling out of his commitment. He urged volunteers to come forward to help keep the station running, offering to oversee the channel while new funding could be sought.

That's two "walking off into the shadows" cartoons I've had to do this week - not fun times! :(

It's sad to see C31 go all because of petty and irrelevant FEDERAL beaurocracy. Channel 31 Perth was the most successful community television station in the whole country. It had the biggest viewership of any state; and meanwhile all the other states are still running C31. And in a boom-town like Perth with more Millionaires per head of population than ANY OTHER CITY in the country, including THE RICHEST MAN IN AUSTRALIA, the station still can't get any help. So much for a boom town.

Myself and fellow Loconutter Lukey have been involved with Channel 31 in one way or another; it'll be sad to know that it's not around any more.