The three existing AM radio stations in Launceston are going FM.

The ABA will convert Launceston’s two commercial radio stations and ABC Local Radio to the FM band as part of changes made to the Northern Tasmanian area’s licence area plan.

7LA will move to FM 89.3 and 7EX will be heard on FM 90.1. ABC Local Radio 711 will move to FM 91.7 and will gain improved reception. The stations have 18 months to make the conversion.

ABA Acting Chair Lyn Maddock says it will be “a significant change for radio listeners in Launceston which will result in them having access to the improved sound quality of FM radio currently enjoyed in other Australian communities of comparable size.”

The ABC’s other national radio services, NewsRadio, Classic FM, Radio National and Triple J already operate on the FM band in the Launceston region.

In Launceston there has been heavy lobbying by an aspirant community radio group, World Music Radio, for their own frequency, but the ABA is not planning to give them one at this time.

Launceston has two existing community stations: a general service called City Park Radio and Christian station Way FM.

“On the evidence currently before it, the ABA is not satisfied that an additional community radio service in the Launceston market would be likely to to add substantial diversity to the programs available in the market.

“The ABA notes the proposal to introduce a self-help SBS radio service in Launceston (with the Launceston City Council as licence holder) and proposes to review the community radio situation in two years.”

The decisions are contained in the variation to the Launceston licence area plan which has just been released.