The Australian Broadcasting Authority has allocated two more new community radio licences.

Hobart

One new community radio licence has been allocated for the South Hobart licence area. The successful applicant is Tasmanian University Broadcasters Inc (TUB Inc), which will provide a service on FM 99.3. The permanent licence began on 23 December 2002.

The ABA received two applications for South Hobart – from TUB Inc (youth) and Cadence FM (general community).

Commenting on the allocation to TUB FM, ABA Chairman David Flint said: “TUB Inc is proposing to provide a comprehensive service to meet the needs of youth aged between 15 to 30 years in the South Hobart licence area. This new service will provide young people with an opportunity to actively participate in the development and delivery of the service. The ABA has allocated this licence after community consultation during the licence area planning process and during the allocation process.”

Gosford

The ABA has also allocated the final one of three new community radio licence for the Gosford licence area to Gosford Christian Broadcasters Ltd (Rhema FM ). The new permanent service will commence on 1 February 2003 on FM 94.9.

The ABA received five applications for three new permanent community radio licences for Gosford. On 24 October 2002, the ABA allocated two of these licences to Five-O-Plus Public Radio Association Inc and Central Coast Broadcasters Ltd, and reached a preliminary view not to allocate the third licence until additional information was provided.

The other applicants for the third licence were: Gosford Christian Broadcasters Ltd (Christian); Radio Yesteryear Inc (general community interested in music from 1930s to 1960s); and Wyong Gosford Progressive Community Radio Inc (minority groups).