The ABA is proposing to make channel capacity available for new and improved services in the Rockhampton/Gladstone area of Queensland, an FM band for national radio services at Batemans Bay/Moruya in NSW and a community radio service at Eden.

The ABA has considered requests from existing licensees in Rockhampton/Gladstone and is considering FM channel capacity for the Rockhampton commercial radio services, 4RO, 4RGK and 4ROK at Biloela to resolve reception deficiencies. The Authority is also planning FM channel capacity for Rockhampton commercial service, 4CC, at Agnes Water under the Commercial Radio Blackspots’ Program.

The ABA is also looking at FM channel capacity for the ABC in Rockhampton and Gladstone for future national radio services, as part of an ongoing commitment to communities or regional transmission areas with populations of 10 000 or more.

People wishing to comment on the additional proposals should do so by 24 September. The draft variation to the Rockhampton/Gladstone radio licence area plan with an explanatory paper are available from the ABA website or by calling 1 800 810 241.

On the NSW south coast, extra FM capacity will be made available for national radio services at Batemans Bay/Moruya, along with a community service at Eden, after requests from the ABC and Eden Community Radio Inc.

The national radio services are planned to operate on 89.3 and 90.1 FM from a site at Mt Wandera. The Eden community service has been earmarked for 104.7 FM. The ABA will call for applications soon for the community licence.

The Authority has also decided to approve increased operating power for 2EC at Bega. 2EC has been testing and results show stronger power will improve its service and cause no interference to other services. And, the ABA has deferred consideration of a change of site request from community radio service, 2BAR Bega, as the licensee needs more time to submit information.

These decisions are contained in a variation to the radio licence area plan for Bega, which is available from the ABA website or by calling 1 800 226 667.