New community stations for Coonamble and Coonabarabran

Coonamble and Coonabarabran are both getting new community radio licences.

The ABA has allocated the Coonamble licence to Coonamble Community Radio Inc (CCRI) and the Coonabarabran licence to Warrumbungle Regional Radio Inc (WRRI). CCRI and WRRI were the only applicants for the licences.

The Coonamble service will broadcast on FM 91.9 and the Coonabarabran service will be heard on FM 99.5.

Both CCRI and WRRI are currently broadcasting under temporary community broadcasting licences that will expire on 20 December 2004, with their permanent licences coming on line the next day.

ABA Chair Lyn Maddock says the proposed services will “add to the range and diversity of services in the Coonamble and Coonabarabran areas.”

The ABA made these licences available after a process of consultation with the people of the local communities to seek their views on what additional broadcasting services were needed.

The Coonamble area is currently served by three national radio services: Radio National, Classic FM, triple j; and community radio service 2WEB. Coonabarabran is also serviced by 2WEB and has three national ABC services.