The letter, signed by ABC Radio Sydney employees, said the broadcaster’s staff had a unique relationship with their audience and that recent actions had trampled on their relationship of trust.

“We believe this is a mistake and undermines what has been achieved here in a century of broadcasting,” the letter said.

Station veteran and Drive host Richard Glover announced his retirement last month, with former Evenings host Chris Bath returning as his replacement and Robbie Buck also leaving.

“This is a public-relations disaster on many levels,” the staff letter said, noting four deeply experienced broadcasters would depart at the same time.

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“This talent and trust cannot be easily and quickly rebuilt.”

ABC staff said they have dealt with a lot in recent years, including a relocation of the station to Parramatta, as well as staffing and resource cuts every year for the past decade, forcing them to do more with less.

“Unfortunately, it comes as no surprise to us that an under-resourced station may underperform,” they said.

The blame appeared to land at the feet of audio boss Ben Latimer, who arrived from Nova in 2023, alongside head of the capital city network Mike Fitzpatrick, who joined from Triple M without naming the pair.

“We note a significant shift towards senior management who have a commercial media/radio background. We are yet to see evidence of a true understanding and belief in the vital role and responsibility of the public broadcaster in these senior roles,” the letter said.

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“We are deeply disappointed by the current situation and concerned about the future of local radio.”

Williams was appointed ABC chair in January by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, beginning his term two months later.

The Sydney changes come alongside widespread appointments of new talent across the ABC radio network. In 2025, both ABC Melbourne and Radio National will also have new breakfast hosts.

Melbourne’s Sammy J will be replaced by former AFL player Bob Murphy and journalist Sharnelle Vella in 2025, while Sally Sara will replace Patricia Karvelas on RN.

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