Overview

The Community Radio Licence Area Plan for Tenterfield, enacted under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, was introduced to establish a dedicated community radio broadcasting service for the Tenterfield area in New South Wales. This legislation was enacted by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) to ensure that the community radio service would be available to the residents of Tenterfield with specific technical specifications, including transmitter details and frequency allocations. The primary objective of this legislation is to provide a clear framework for the establishment and operation of community radio services in the region, ensuring that the broadcasting service meets the needs of the local community. The plan outlines the technical requirements for the radio service, including transmitter locations, frequencies, and signal specifications, to facilitate effective community broadcasting within the defined licence area.

Scope and Application

The Community Radio Licence Area Plan for Tenterfield, made under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, applies to the provision of a community radio broadcasting service within the specified geographic area of Tenterfield in New South Wales. This legislation, enacted by the Australian Broadcasting Authority, delineates the technical specifications and operational parameters for a community radio service, including transmitter locations, frequencies, and other technical details. The plan aims to ensure that the community radio service operates effectively within the designated area, adhering to the technical standards and guidelines set forth in the attached schedules and specifications. Notably, the Act does not apply to commercial radio services, which are governed by separate licensing provisions under the same Act. The geographic reach of this legislation is confined to the Tenterfield area, as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, encompassing particular collection districts and shires within New South Wales and Queensland.

Key Provisions

The Community Radio Licence Area Plan for Tenterfield, determined under section 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, sets out the parameters for a community radio broadcasting service to be available in the Tenterfield area of New South Wales. According to the plan (Schedule), this service is to be provided under a service licence number SL010213, using specified technical configurations and transmitter sites detailed in Attachments 1.2 and 1.3. Attachment 1.2 outlines an initial transmitter specification, TS003551, operating at 107.5 MHz, while Attachment 1.3 outlines a subsequent transmitter specification, TS004378, operating at 89.7 MHz. The latter specification includes a condition to minimise signal overspill into neighbouring areas. The Act imposes certain obligations on the entities involved. The Australian Broadcasting Authority, now known as the Australian Communications and Media Authority, is responsible for determining the licence areas and technical specifications for community radio services. The licensee, upon obtaining the service licence, must adhere to the technical specifications and conditions stipulated in the plan, such as the transmitter locations, frequencies, and power outputs. The licensee must also ensure that any signal overspill into neighbouring licence areas is kept to a minimum, in accordance with the Technical Planning Guidelines. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 or the conditions of the licence can result in various consequences. The Act provides for both civil and criminal penalties for breaches. Civil penalties may include fines up to a certain amount specified under the Act, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment for offences such as unauthorised broadcasting or failure to comply with licence conditions. The specific maximum penalties are detailed within the Act, with the exact figures available in the relevant sections of the legislation.