10 June 2004
ABA invites applications for new community radio licence for Braidwood, NSW
The Australian Broadcasting Authority has invited applications for a new community radio broadcasting licence for the Braidwood area of NSW.
‘Following the variation to the Goulburn radio licence area plan in February 2004 to include technical specifications for a community radio service at Braidwood, the ABA is pleased to commence the allocation of a community radio licence for Braidwood,’ said Lyn Maddock, Acting ABA Chair.
Applicants should contact the ABA’s Licensing Section on 1800 226 667 or (02) 9334 7700 for copies of the Braidwood application information booklet. General information is also available on the ABA website.
Applications for the licence must be received before midnight on Wednesday 7 July 2004. The ABA will not accept any applications lodged after this date. From Wednesday 14 July 2004, copies of all applications received will be placed for public perusal on the ABA website.
Copies of all applications received will also be made available for public perusal in the Tallaganda Shire Council Library.
The ABA welcomes written submissions from members of the public in relation to the applications received. Submissions should be lodged with the ABA by 5.00 pm on Wednesday 28 July 2004. Submissions can also be lodged via email to webteam@acma.gov.au.
Copies of any letters of support included with applications and subsequent support letters received by the ABA will not be displayed on the web site or in libraries but can be made available for inspection on request. Anyone who has concerns about public access to their personal details should advise the ABA to treat this information as confidential.
Media contact Donald Robertson, ABA Manager Media and PR on (02) 9334 7980.
Backgrounder
Allocation of community broadcasting licences
Only non-profit community broadcasting organisations that represent a community interest will be eligible for the allocation of a community broadcasting licence.
Community licences can be allocated only if the ABA makes new community broadcasting services available in an area following its planning process and the release of a licence area plan.
The ABA has advertised for applications in a newspaper in the licence area. Applications must be lodged with the ABA by the closing date advertised. In light of the recent judgment of the Federal Court of Australia handed down on 31 January 2003, the ABA will not be granting any extensions of time within which to apply for a community radio licence. Applications must be made on the approved form, Form ABA 32: Application for the Allocation of a Community Broadcasting Licence (Broadcasting Services Bands).
Applications received will be made available for public comment. Written comments on applications must be lodged with the ABA within 14 days of the date the ABA provides them to the public library.
The ABA will decide if a licence is to be allocated and in the case of competing applicants, to which applicant.
The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the Act) provides that the allocation of broadcasting services bands community broadcasting licences is merit based: that is, the ABA will allocate these licences on the basis of the merits of applicants and their proposed services and, where necessary, on the comparative merits of competing applications.
The ABA is not obliged to allocate a community broadcasting licence to an applicant even though the ABA has advertised for and received applications.
In assessing applications the ABA will have regard to matters set out in the Act. These matters include:
- whether the proposed service meets the definition of a community broadcasting service;
- whether the applicant is a ‘company’ and represents a community interest;
- the needs and interests of the community and the extent to which the applicant’s proposed service would meet those needs and interests;
- the nature and diversity of other broadcasting services available within the licence area;
- the applicant’s capacity to provide the proposed service;
- matters related to the control of the licence; and
- whether the allocation is subject to any Ministerial ‘priority direction’.
