The ABA has allocated a new community radio licence for the Monaro area of NSW to Monaro Community Radio Incorporated. The licence area covers Cooma, Monaro and Jindabyne.

The successful applicant, Monaro Community Radio Incorporated (MCR), will broadcast on FM 90.5 in Cooma, on FM 93.9 in Jindabyne, FM 93.3 MHz in Monaro.

There were two applicants for the Monaro licence, MCR and High Country Community Media Association Incorporated (HCCMA). Both applicants were proposing to provide a general service, although HCCMA had a focus on multicultural broadcasting and seniors.

In the view of the ABA, MCR demonstrated a clear commitment to meet “the many and varied needs of the community within the Monaro licence area and it has also committed to keeping abreast of changing needs.”

This licence was originally advertised in November 1999 but the ABA decided not to allocate the licence at that time.