Overview

The Variation Licence Area Plan for Maryborough (Radio) August 2001 was enacted by the Australian Broadcasting Authority in 2001. This legislation varies the licence area plan for radio in the Maryborough region, originally determined in January 1998, under subsection 26(2) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The primary purpose of this variation is to update the technical specifications of the commercial radio broadcasting services in the region, specifically for service licence numbers SL1150052 and SL1150054. The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 aims to provide for the regulation of broadcasting services, including television and radio, to ensure that they comply with certain standards and to promote the availability of a diversity of services. The variation of the licence area plan ensures that the technical specifications for radio broadcasting in Maryborough are up to date, facilitating better service delivery and compliance with regulatory standards.

Scope and Application

The Variation Licence Area Plan (Maryborough) 2001, issued by the Australian Broadcasting Authority, modifies the technical specifications of the licence area plan for radio broadcasting services in the Maryborough region, which was originally determined in January 1998 under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. This legislative instrument specifically alters the technical specifications for the commercial radio broadcasting services identified by the service licence numbers SL1150052 and SL1150054, both operating on the frequencies of 101.9 MHz and 103.5 MHz respectively. The changes affect the technical parameters of these services, including transmitter sites, frequency bands, polarisation, and maximum antenna heights, as detailed in the Schedule and Attachments of the instrument. The variation applies solely to the Maryborough region in Queensland, impacting the commercial radio services operating within this specified area. The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 governs these services, which fall under the purview of the Australian Broadcasting Authority, and the modifications are confined to the technical aspects of the broadcasting services as delineated in the instrument.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of this legislative instrument (F2005B00942) relate to variations to the licence area plan (LAP) for radio in the Maryborough region. The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) has varied the technical specifications of the commercial radio broadcasting services for the frequencies 101.9 MHz and 103.5 MHz, as detailed in the instrument (subsection 26(2) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992). The technical specifications have been updated as per Schedule 1 and Attachments 1.3.1 and 1.4.1, replacing the previous specifications in Attachments 1.3 and 1.4. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act on the parties or entities governed by it include the provision of detailed technical specifications for the radio broadcasting services. These specifications must include the transmitter site, emission details, frequency band, carrier frequency, polarisation, maximum antenna height, and output radiation pattern. For example, the commercial radio service at 101.9 MHz must be transmitted from Nikenbah, QLD, with a mixed polarisation and a maximum antenna height of 30 metres. The service must also adhere to specific emission patterns and effective radiated power (ERP) levels, as outlined in the technical specifications. The Act also imposes penalties and consequences for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this instrument, breaches of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 or related regulations can lead to civil or criminal penalties. These can include fines, orders for the cessation of broadcasting, or even the revocation of a broadcasting licence. The severity of the penalty typically depends on the nature and extent of the breach, as well as any previous history of non-compliance. It is essential for broadcasters to adhere to the technical specifications and other requirements set out in the LAP to avoid these potential consequences.