Radio insiders have been speculating about the sale of one of the state’s few remaining independent stations but management at Bathurst Broadcasters is remaining tight-lipped.

Southern Cross Austereo is already a major player in Central West radio, operating Triple M Central West 105.1 and Hit105.9 Central West in Orange and Star FM93.5 in Dubbo.

And B-Rock already syndicates a number of SCA programs, including Kennedy and Molloy from 4pm-6pm weekdays and The Sporting Probe With Roy and HG on Sunday.

The sale speculation comes at the same time as the Australian Communications and Media Authority has received a request from Bathurst Broadcasters to convert 2BS Gold to the FM band.

ACMA is now seeking public feedback on the proposal that would see the station move from 1503AM to 95.1FM on the radio dial.

ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said FM radio provided improved audio quality for listeners and could be more cost-effective to operate.

“A number of regional commercial radio stations are seeking to convert their services to FM under an industry-led conversion program,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

“ACMA will facilitate a conversion if we are satisfied that audiences in regional areas do not lose important radio services under the proposal.

“We now want to hear from the local Bathurst audience their views on the conversion proposal.”

Submissions on the 2BS proposal close on June 8 with more information available on the ACMA website.

Meanwhile, Bathurst Broadcasters owner Ron Camplin has been awarded a rare honour during the International Broadcasters Idea Bank conference in Bathurst this week.

Delegates from 16 broadcasting groups from the United States, two from Australia and one from New Zealand were in town for the conference on Monday and Tuesday.

Mr Camplin, who joined IBIB in 1964 and is this year celebrating 70 years in commercial radio, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award during the conference banquet at Rydges Mount Panorama on Tuesday night.

It was just the fifth time the award has been presented.