The ABA has allocated two new community radio licences for the Gosford area and held off on a third. The successful applicants are Five-O-Plus Public Radio Association Inc (Five-O-Plus) and Central Coast Broadcasters Ltd (CCB).

Five-O-Plus will broadcast on FM 93.3 and CCB will be heard on FM 94.1.

The ABA also reached a “preliminary view” not to allocate the third permanent community radio licence in Gosford (FM 94.9), and to allow the applicants for this licence a further opportunity to provide additional information. Depending on the additional information submitted by the applicants the ABA may be in a position to allocate the third licence early next year.

The ABA received five applications for the three Gosford licences: CCB (country music and sport); Five-O-Plus (over 50s); Newcastle 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).

ABA Chairman David Flint said: “Five-O-Plus has demonstrated that it is committed to providing a service with local content aimed at the over 50s community and that it is an active participant in the Gosford community. CCB has demonstrated that it is dedicated to providing a comprehensive service based on country music and sport.”

Three FM community licences for Gosford were made available following completion of the Gosford licence area plan in August 2000 and DMG and RG Capital have since announced joint venture plans for those stations.