The ABA has now allocated a new community radio licence for the Blacktown licence area in Sydney. The licence was previously withheld when none of the applicants satisfied the ABA that they would provide a suitable service to the community.

The successful applicant, SWR FM (Blacktown City Community Radio Association), will provide a service on FM 99.9.

There were two applicants for the Blacktown licence: SWR FM and Western Community Radio Association Incorporated (West FM). Both applicants proposed providing a general service, although West FM had a focus on multilingual broadcasting and youth.

ABA Chairman David Flint said: “SWR demonstrated a clear commitment to meet the many and varied needs of the community within the Blacktown licence area and it has also committed to keeping abreast of changing needs.”