VARIATION TO
LICENCE AREA PLAN
SWAN HILL
(RADIO)
SEPTEMBER 1997
LICENCE AREA PLAN
SWAN HILL
VARIATION
The Australian Broadcasting Authority hereby varies the licence area plan (LAP) for radio broadcasting services in the Swan Hill area of Victoria, determined on 26 June 1997, under subsection 26(2) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
The variation comprises an addition of a technical specification for an open narrowcasting radio service in Barham:
Category of
Service | Service Licence No: | Transmitter Specification No: | Technical
Specifications | General Area Served by Transmitter | Status |
Open Narrowcasting | N/A | TS10007975 | See attachment 1.9 | Barham | Add |
The area in which this open narrowcasting radio service is to be available is described at Attachment 1.1 to the Swan Hill radio licence area plan determined on 26 June 1997.
The additional technical specification applicable to this service is set out in Schedule One and Attachment 1.9 attached to this instrument.
(Varied by the Australian Broadcasting Authority on 15 September 1997)
SCHEDULES
Each of the Schedules sets out:
- the category of each of the services that are to be available in that area (column one),
- the service licence number which has been allocated to the service, if appropriate (column two); N/A = Not Applicable, as the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 only requires service licences for Commercial and Community services.
- the number of transmitters required to transmit the service,
- the transmitter specification number which has been allocated to each transmitter (column three),
- the identifying number of the attachment where the technical specifications for each transmitter are described (column four). (Each set of technical specifications referred to in the Schedules is an attachment to this determination).
- the general area served by each transmitter (column five).
For ease of reference, the Schedule affected by this variation to the LAP has been updated to reflect the variation to the plan.
Schedule One of the Swan Hill LAP prior to this variation is reproduced below:
SCHEDULE ONE
Licence Area Plan - Swan Hill - (Radio) - June 1997
Licence Area: Swan Hill RA1
Category of
Service | Service Licence No: | Transmitter Specification No: | Technical
Specifications | General Area Served by Transmitter |
National | N/A | TS10005796 | See Attachment 1.2 | Swan Hill |
National | N/A | TS10005794 | See Attachment 1.3 | Swan Hill |
National | N/A | TS10005792 | See Attachment 1.4 | Swan Hill |
National | N/A | TS10004612 | See Attachment 1.5 | Hopetoun |
Commercial | SL10380 | TS10005797 | See Attachment 1.6 | Swan Hill |
Commercial | SL10294 | TS10005788 | See Attachment 1.7 | Swan Hill |
Open Narrowcasting | N/A | TS10005877 | See Attachment 1.8 | Swan Hill |
The updated Schedule to the LAP affected by this variation are as follows:
SCHEDULE ONE
Licence Area Plan - Swan Hill - (Radio) - June 1997 - as varied September 1997
Licence Area: Swan Hill RA1
Category of
Service | Service Licence No: | Transmitter Specification No: | Technical Specifications | General Area Served by Transmitter |
National | N/A | TS10005796 | See Attachment 1.2 | Swan Hill |
National | N/A | TS10005794 | See Attachment 1.3 | Swan Hill |
National | N/A | TS10005792 | See Attachment 1.4 | Swan Hill |
National | N/A | TS10004612 | See Attachment 1.5 | Hopetoun |
Commercial | SL10380 | TS10005797 | See Attachment 1.6 | Swan Hill |
Commercial | SL10294 | TS10005788 | See Attachment 1.7 | Swan Hill |
Open Narrowcasting | N/A | TS10007975 | See Attachment 1.9 | Barham |
Open Narrowcasting | N/A | TS10005877 | See Attachment 1.8 | Swan Hill |
Attachment 1.9
Licence Area Plan - Swan Hill - (Radio) - June 1997 - as varied September 1997
Category : Open Narrowcasting
General Area Served : Barham (NSW)
Service Licence Number : Not applicable
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio
Specification Number : TS10007975
Transmitter Site :-
Nominal location : Barham
Australian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing
Reference : 55 240000 6053300
Site Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines
Emission :-
Frequency Band & Mode : VHF-FM
Carrier Frequency : 94.9 MHz
Polarisation : Mixed
Maximum antenna height : 10 m
Output Radiation Pattern :-
Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |
| |
At all angles of azimuth | 10 W |
Special Conditions :-
1. The 'coverage radius' of this transmitter is 8 kilometres measured from a point with the following AMG co-ordinates: Zone: 55; Easting: 240000; Northing: 6053300. This point is the same as the nominal transmitter site.
2. Any transmission in accordance with this technical specification is planned on the basis that it will be protected to a minimum median field strength level of 66 dBuV/m against interference from other broadcasting services.
Overview
The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide a framework for the regulation of broadcasting services, including the establishment and management of licence area plans (LAPs) for radio broadcasting services. This legislation aimed to address the need for a coordinated and efficient system for the allocation of radio frequencies and the provision of broadcasting services across Australia. The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA), now known as the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), was established under this Act to oversee the implementation and administration of broadcasting services. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure that broadcasting services are managed in a manner that is efficient, effective, and in the public interest.
In line with the objectives of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, the ABA has the authority to vary licence area plans to accommodate changes in broadcasting services or to address specific needs within a licence area. This includes the introduction of new services or the modification of existing services to better serve the community. For instance, the variation to the Swan Hill (Radio) Licence Area Plan in September 1997 involved the addition of a technical specification for an open narrowcasting radio service in Barham, which was not covered in the original plan determined in June 1997. This adjustment was made to enhance the availability of broadcasting services in the specified area, ensuring that the community's needs are met and that the broadcasting services operate within the regulatory framework established by the Act.
Scope and Application
The Variation to Licence Area Plans (Swan Hill Radio) September 1997 Legislative Instrument pertains specifically to the radio broadcasting services in the Swan Hill area of Victoria. This instrument varies the licence area plan determined by the Australian Broadcasting Authority on 26 June 1997, under subsection 26(2) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The variation involves the addition of a technical specification for an open narrowcasting radio service in Barham, enhancing the service offerings within the Swan Hill radio licence area. The instrument outlines the technical specifications for this new service, including the transmitter details and coverage area, ensuring compliance with the requirements set by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The Act applies to entities operating within the specified licence area, particularly those involved in broadcasting services, and is governed by the Commonwealth of Australia. The variation is limited to the Swan Hill area and does not extend beyond this jurisdiction, thereby maintaining the regulatory scope within the determined licence area.
Key Provisions
This legislative instrument varies the licence area plan for radio broadcasting services in the Swan Hill area of Victoria, adding a technical specification for an open narrowcasting radio service in Barham. The variation, executed under subsection 26(2) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, introduces an open narrowcasting radio service in Barham, NSW, with a specified transmitter site, frequency band, and other technical details. The service does not require a service licence, as it is an open narrowcasting service. The technical specifications for this new service, including transmitter site, frequency band, and maximum ERP, are detailed in Schedule One and Attachment 1.9.
The obligations imposed on parties governed by this Act include adherence to the specified technical parameters for the new open narrowcasting service in Barham. This includes ensuring the transmitter operates within the defined technical specifications, such as the frequency band (VHF-FM), carrier frequency (94.9 MHz), and maximum antenna height (10 meters). Broadcasters must also ensure their transmissions are protected to a minimum median field strength level of 66 dBuV/m against interference from other broadcasting services. The Australian Broadcasting Authority mandates that these technical specifications and operational parameters are strictly followed to maintain service quality and compliance with broadcasting regulations.
Breach of the specified technical parameters or failure to comply with the stipulated operational conditions may result in enforcement actions. Although the legislative instrument does not explicitly outline penalties, breaches of broadcasting regulations under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 can result in significant fines and potential criminal charges. The maximum penalties for breaches may include substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal prosecution. These consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the technical specifications and operational conditions set forth in the licence area plan and its variations.