The ABA has decided not to proceed with the allocation of a community licence for Lord Howe Island at this time.

The ABA sought applications for the licence on 13 September which closed on 10 October 2002. No applications had been received by the closing date.

Aspirant community broadcaster Lord Howe Island Radio Station Association Incorporated has been broadcasting under a temporary community broadcasting licence since October 2001, however it advised the ABA that it would not be applying for the permanent licence. No other groups or individuals contacted the ABA expressing an interest in applying for the licence.

ABA Chairman David Flint told radioinfo: “The ABA may readvertise the licence at some time in the future. [We] hope that during the intervening period links can be formed between the current aspirant group and the broader Lord Howe Island community to provide a more extensive service.”

Any other groups who are interested in providing a community radio broadcasting service will be able to broadcast under a temporary community broadcast licence, sharing the one frequency (100.1 MHz) available in the area for this purpose.