Overview

The Community and Open Narrowcasting Radio Licence Area Plan for Woomera, issued in August 1996, was enacted under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. This legislation was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive framework governing the licensing of broadcasting services in Australia, ensuring that services meet specific standards and cater to community needs. The plan was established by the Australian Broadcasting Authority, aiming to provide clear guidelines for the availability and technical specifications of community and open narrowcasting services in the Woomera area of South Australia. It designates the technical parameters and transmitter specifications for one community radio service and two open narrowcasting services, ensuring they are accessible and operational within the defined locality.

Scope and Application

The Community and Open Narrowcasting Radio Licence Area Plan for Woomera, established under section 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, specifies the availability of one community radio broadcasting service and two open narrowcasting services in the Woomera area of South Australia. This legislation is applicable to the entities operating these radio services within the specified area, focusing on their technical specifications and the geographic reach of their transmitters. The plan outlines the technical details for each service, including transmitter specifications, frequencies, and the areas they serve, which encompass Woomera and Roxby Downs. The plan does not apply to commercial radio services, which are governed by separate licensing under the same Act. The geographic scope of this legislation is confined to the South Australian region, specifically targeting the Woomera area as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. No exclusions or exemptions are explicitly stated in the document, implying that the provisions apply universally to the designated services within the specified area. The plan may be subject to amendments or extensions through subordinate instruments as necessary to accommodate changes in broadcasting requirements or technologies.

Key Provisions

The Community and Open Narrowcasting Radio Licence Area Plan for Woomera, issued under section 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, designates the availability of one community radio broadcasting service and two open narrowcasting services within the Woomera area of South Australia. The Schedule and accompanying attachments provide detailed technical specifications for these services, including transmitter sites, frequencies, and emission characteristics. For example, the community radio service, SL010155, operates on a carrier frequency of 107.3 MHz in Woomera and 97.1 MHz in Roxby Downs, with specific technical details provided in attachments 1.2 and 1.3. The open narrowcasting services operate on frequencies of 106.5 MHz in Woomera and 95.5 MHz in Roxby Downs, with their technical specifications detailed in attachments 1.4 and 1.5. The obligations under this legislation primarily focus on ensuring that the specified community and open narrowcasting services are operational within the designated areas of Woomera and Roxby Downs. Service providers must adhere to the technical specifications outlined in the Schedule and attachments, including transmitter locations, frequencies, and emission parameters. For instance, community radio service SL010155 must transmit from Goonda St in Woomera on 107.3 MHz and from a site 1.5 km north of Roxby Downs on 97.1 MHz. Open narrowcasting services must operate from Woomera on 106.5 MHz and from Roxby Downs on 95.5 MHz. Failure to comply with these technical requirements may result in the services not being operational within the specified areas. Breaches of the requirements outlined in this legislation may lead to enforcement actions. Although the document does not explicitly state penalties, violations of broadcasting regulations under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 can lead to civil and criminal consequences. For civil penalties, the Act allows for fines up to $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for corporations, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. Criminal penalties may also apply, particularly if the breach is deemed to be willful or negligent, potentially leading to imprisonment. It is essential for broadcasters to strictly adhere to the technical and operational specifications to avoid these consequences.