The ABA has announced new community radio licences for various parts of Australia, giving several aspirant community groups an early Christmas present.
Two of the licences were given to solo applicants, while the other two in South Australia, were awarded to two of seven applicants for licences in the Victor Harbor region.
Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania
Tasman Community Broadcasters Association Inc (Tasman FM) has been allocated a licence for Tasmania’s Tasman Peninsula and will broadcast on FM 97.7 beginning on 2 February 2003.
Fremantle, Western Australia
The Australian Broadcasting Authority has allocated a new community radio licence for to
The Portuguese Cultural and Recreational Centre WA Inc (PCRC) has been allocated a licence for Fremantle in Western Australia to broadcast on FM 91.3 beginning on 1 February 2003.
Victor Harbour, South Australia
The more highly contested area to be allocated at this time was the Victor Harbor region of South Australia. The ABA has allocated two new community radio licences for that area.
The successful applicant for the licence to serve the wider Fleurieu Peninsula area is Encounter FM Community Broadcasters Association Inc, which will provide a service on FM 89.3 in Victor Harbor, 94.7 in Strathalbyn and 88.3 in Yankalilla.
The successful applicant for the licence to serve Victor Harbor only, Great Southern Community Broadcasters Association Inc, will provide a service on FM 90.1.
The ABA received three applications for the wider coverage Fleurieu Peninsula licence. The applicants were Encounter FM Community Broadcasters Association Inc (5EFM), Radio Alexandrina (Alex FM) Community Broadcasters Association Incorporated (Alex FM) and The Fleurieu Peninsula Christian Broadcasters Association Incorporated (Spirit FM).
The ABA received four applications for the Victor Harbor only licence. The applicants were the three listed above for the wider coverage licence, and Great Southern Community Broadcasters Association Incorporated (GSFM).
ABA Chairman David Flint commented on the decision: “5EFM has demonstrated that it is committed to providing a general community radio service to the wider Fleurieu Peninsula area, providing a variety of programming and including the wider community in its operations and programming. GSFM has demonstrated that it is dedicated to providing a general community radio service to the Victor Harbor community, with a particular emphasis on the sporting community. ”
One community licence for a wide coverage Fleurieu Peninsula service and one community radio licence with a focus on Victor Harbor were made available following completion of the Murray Bridge radio licence area plan in December 2001. The ABA has allocated these licences after community consultation during the licence area planning process and during the allocation process.