The ABA has allocated new community radio licences in Coober Pedy, South Australia, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Western Australia.

The licences have gone respectively to Dusty Radio Inc and VKW ‘Voice of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands’ Incorporated (VKW).

The Coober Pedy service will broadcast on 104.5 FM, while the new WA service will broadcast on 96.0 FM from the West Island and 102.7 FM from the Home Island.

Dusty Radio Inc (DRI) has been broadcasting on 104.5 FM under a temporary community broadcasting licence which expires on 31 August. The permanent licence will take effect from 1 September.

VKW has also been using a temporary licence which runs out on Saturday. The permanent licence starts on 15 August.

Acting ABA chief, Lyn Maddock, says the two new licences will add to the range and diversity of services in the Coober Pedy and Cocos Islands areas.

“The applicants satisfied the ABA that they would meet the existing and perceived future needs of their communities.

“The Authority made the licences available after a process of community consultation to seek their views on what additional broadcasting services were needed.”

DRI and VKW were the only applicants for the two regions. Both licensees operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the new licences, they will provide programs covering a wide range of local issues and appealing to the community.

The new licensees are: Robert Pryce – (08) 8672 5200 (Coober Pedy) and Clay Lee – (08) 9162 6608 (Cocos Islands).