Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2014L01766 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority

 

Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014

Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) Variation 2014

Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) Variation 2014

 

Broadcasting Services Act 1992

 

Television Licence Area Plans varied under subsection 26(2) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) prepares television licence area plans under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the BSA).  The ACMA may, by legislative instrument, vary a television licence area plan under subsection 26(2) of the BSA.

The Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014, the Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) Variation 2014 and the Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) Variation 2014 (collectively, the variations) vary, respectively, the Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) 2012 (Brisbane TLAP), the Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) 2012 (Melbourne TLAP), and the Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) 2012 (Sydney TLAP) (collectively, the TLAPs).

The TLAPs plan the following licence areas: Brisbane TV1, Melbourne TV1, and Sydney TV1.

The Brisbane TLAP came into force on 29 May 2013, the Sydney TLAP came into force on 4 December 2013 and the Melbourne TLAP came into force on 11 December 2013.

Intended impact and effect

On 12 November 2014, the Minister for Communications made the Radiocommunications (Duration of Community Television Transmitter Licences) Determination (No.1) 2008 (Amendment No.1 of 2014) (Amendment Determination) which has the effect of extending the date after which community television transmitter licences no longer have effect, from 31 December 2014 to 31 December 2015. In accordance with the Amendment Determination the variations extend the channel allotment end dates for community television services contained in the TLAPs from 31 December 2014 to 31 December 2015.

The variations also remove obsolete channel allotments in the TLAPs and include missing collection district data in the commercial television licence area in the Brisbane TLAP.

Detailed description of the variations are provided in Attachments A, B and C.

Regulatory impact analysis

The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) has determined that the proposed regulatory changes resulting from the variations are minor and machinery in nature and that no further regulatory impact analysis is required. (OBPR ID: 17927).

 

Consultation and submissions

Before making the variations, the ACMA undertook the following consultation:

  • On 27 November 2014, the ACMA published the following on its website for consultation:
    • draft versions of the variations; and
    • a discussion paper about the draft variations, which invited public comment by 11 December 2014.
  • On 27 November 2014, the ACMA wrote to the commercial and community television broadcasting licensees likely to be affected, national broadcasters and other appropriate persons, alerting them to the draft variations and inviting comment.
  • The ACMA received one submission on the draft variations.

In finalising the variations, the ACMA has considered the submissions it received.

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

In accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011, the ACMA has prepared Statements of Compatibility with Human Rights to consider the human rights implications of each Variation.

The Statements conclude that the content of the variations do not raise any human rights issues.

The Statements of Compatibility prepared for the variations are provided in Attachments D, E and F.


 

ATTACHMENT A

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TELEVISION LICENCE AREA PLAN (BRISBANE) VARIATION 2014

 

Section 1 Name of variation

Section 1 names the variation the Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014.

Section 2 Commencement

Section 2 provides that the variation commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

Section 3 Variation

Section 3 specifies that Schedule 1 varies the Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) 2012.

Schedule 1 Variations

Item 1

The text contained in item 1 replaces the text contained in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 1, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 1.1 in Schedule 1 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 1 are no longer necessary.

Item 2

The table contained in item 2 replaces table 1.1 in Schedule 1.

Item 3

The text contained in item 3 replaces the text contained in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 1, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 1.2 in Schedule 1 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 1 are no longer necessary.

Item 4

The table contained in item 4 replaces table 1.2 in Schedule 1.

Item 5

The text contained in item 5 replaces the text contained in subclause 3(3) of Schedule 1, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 1.3 in Schedule 1 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 3(3) of Schedule 1 are no longer necessary.

Item 6

The table contained in item 6 replaces table 1.3 in Schedule 1.

Item 7

The text contained in item 7 replaces the text contained in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 2, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 2.1 in Schedule 2 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 2 are no longer necessary.

Item 8

The table contained in item 8 replaces table 2.1 in Schedule 2.

Item 9

The text contained in item 9 replaces the text contained in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 2, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 2.2 in Schedule 2 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 2 are no longer necessary.

Item 10

The table contained in item 10 replaces table 2.2 in Schedule 2.

Item 11

The text contained in item 11 replaces the text contained in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 3, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 3.1 in Schedule 3 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 3 are no longer necessary.

Item 12

The table contained in item 12 replaces table 3.2 in Schedule 3.

Item 13

The Attachment contained in item 13 replaces the text and table contained in Attachment 1 – Brisbane TV1 licence area.

 

 


ATTACHMENT B

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TELEVISION LICENCE AREA PLAN (MELBOURNE) VARIATION 2014

 

Section 1 Name of variation

Section 1 names the variation the Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) Variation 2014.

Section 2 Commencement

Section 2 provides that the variation commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

Section 3 Variation

Section 3 specifies that Schedule 1 varies the Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) 2012.

Schedule 1 Variations

Item 1

The table contained in item 1 replaces table 1.1 in Schedule 1.

Item 2

The text contained in item 2 replaces the text contained in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 1, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 1.2 in Schedule 1 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 1 are no longer necessary.

Item 3

The table contained in item 3 replaces table 1.2 in Schedule 1.

Item 4

The text contained in item 4 replaces the text contained in subclause 3(3) of Schedule 1, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 1.3 in Schedule 1 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 3(3) of Schedule 1 are no longer necessary.

Item 5

The table contained in item 5 replaces table 1.3 in Schedule 1.

Item 6

The text contained in item 6 replaces the text contained in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 2, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 2.1 in Schedule 2 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 2 are no longer necessary.

Item 7

The table contained in item 7 replaces table 2.1 in Schedule 2.

Item 8

The text contained in item 8 replaces the text contained in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 2, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 2.2 in Schedule 2 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 2 are no longer necessary.

Item 9

The table contained in item 9 replaces table 2.2 in Schedule 2.

Item 10

The text contained in item 10 replaces the text contained in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 3, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 3.1 in Schedule 3 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 3 are no longer necessary.

Item 11

The text contained in item 11 replaces the text contained in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 3, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 3.2 in Schedule 3 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 3 are no longer necessary.

Item 12

The table contained in item 12 replaces table 3.2 in Schedule 3.


 

ATTACHMENT C

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TELEVISION LICENCE AREA PLAN (SYDNEY) VARIATION 2014

 

Section 1 Name of variation

Section 1 names the variation the Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) Variation 2014.

Section 2 Commencement

Section 2 provides that the variation commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

Section 3 Variation

Section 3 specifies that Schedule 1 varies the Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) 2012.

Schedule 1 Variations

Item 1

The text contained in item 1 replaces the text contained in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 1, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 1.1 in Schedule 1 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 1 are no longer necessary.

Item 2

The table contained in item 2 replaces table 1.1 in Schedule 1.

Item 3

The text contained in item 3 replaces the text contained in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 1, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 1.2 in Schedule 1 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 1 are no longer necessary.

Item 4

The table contained in item 4 replaces table 1.2 in Schedule 1.

Item 5

The text contained in item 5 replaces the text contained in subclause 3(3) of Schedule 1, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 1.3 in Schedule 1 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 3(3) of Schedule 1 are no longer necessary.

Item 6

The table contained in item 6 replaces table 1.3 in Schedule 1.

Item 7

The table contained in item 7 replaces table 2.1 in Schedule 2.

Item 8

The text contained in item 8 replaces the text contained in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 2, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 2.2 in Schedule 2 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 2(3) of Schedule 2 are no longer necessary.

Item 9

The table contained in item 9 replaces table 2.2 in Schedule 2.

Item 10

The text contained in item 10 replaces the text contained in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 3, removing the events and circumstances that were specified for table 3.1 in Schedule 3 as all the events or circumstances that were specified in subclause 1(3) of Schedule 3 are no longer necessary.

Item 11

The table contained in item 11 replaces table 3.2 in Schedule 3.

 

ATTACHMENT D

 

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014

 

This legislative instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Legislative Instrument

The Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014 varies the Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) 2012 by extending the channel allotment end date of the community television service in Brisbane until 31 December 2015, removing obsolete channel allotments and inserting missing collection district data in the Brisbane TV1 licence area.

Human Rights Implications

This legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This legislative instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

Australian Communications and Media Authority


ATTACHMENT E

 

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) Variation 2014

 

This legislative instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Legislative Instrument

The Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) Variation 2014 varies the Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) 2012 by extending the channel allotment end date of the community television services in Melbourne and South Yarra until 31 December 2015 and removing obsolete channel allotments.

Human Rights Implications

This legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This legislative instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

Australian Communications and Media Authority

 


ATTACHMENT F

 

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) Variation 2014

 

This legislative instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Legislative Instrument

The Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) Variation 2014 varies the Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) 2012 by extending the channel allotment end date of the community television service in Sydney until 31 December 2015 and removing obsolete channel allotments.

Human Rights Implications

This legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This legislative instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

Australian Communications and Media Authority

Overview

The Broadcasting Services Act 1992, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, provides the legal framework for the regulation of broadcasting services in Australia. The Act addresses the need for efficient and effective management of radio and television broadcasting services to ensure that they operate in the public interest. In accordance with the Act, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) prepares television licence area plans, which outline the geographical areas in which television services are licensed to operate. The ACMA has the authority to vary these plans under subsection 26(2) of the BSA. The Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014, the Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) Variation 2014 and the Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) Variation 2014 were introduced to amend the respective television licence area plans for Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. These variations were made in response to the Radiocommunications (Duration of Community Television Transmitter Licences) Determination (No.1) 2008 (Amendment No.1 of 2014), which extended the date for community television transmitter licences from 31 December 2014 to 31 December 2015. The variations also aimed to remove obsolete channel allotments and rectify missing data in the Brisbane licence area. The ACMA engaged in consultation with relevant stakeholders before finalising the variations and has determined that the proposed changes are minor and machinery in nature. Furthermore, the ACMA has assessed the human rights implications of these variations and found them to be compatible with human rights, as they do not raise any human rights issues.

Scope and Application

The Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014, the Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) Variation 2014, and the Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) Variation 2014 collectively modify the respective Television Licence Area Plans (TLAPS) for Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, which were established under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA). These variations are administrative adjustments aimed at refining the channel allotment end dates for community television services, removing outdated channel allotments, and correcting missing collection district data within the specified licence areas. The variations apply to the entities and individuals involved in television broadcasting within the Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney television licence areas, including broadcasters and licence holders. Geographically, the application of these variations is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically within the designated television licence areas of Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The variations do not introduce new exclusions or exemptions beyond those already stipulated in the original TLAPS. Any further application or restriction of these variations may be detailed through subordinate instruments, as permitted under the BSA. Public consultation was conducted to gather feedback on the draft variations, and the submissions received were considered in finalising the legislative instruments. Additionally, Statements of Compatibility with Human Rights were prepared to affirm that the variations do not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms under the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Television Licence Area Plan (Brisbane) Variation 2014, the Television Licence Area Plan (Melbourne) Variation 2014 and the Television Licence Area Plan (Sydney) Variation 2014 (the variations) specify that the variations extend the channel allotment end dates for community television services in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney until 31 December 2015, and remove obsolete channel allotments (sections 1-12). These variations also include missing collection district data in the Brisbane TV1 licence area (item 13). These changes are designed to align with the Radiocommunications (Duration of Community Television Transmitter Licences) Determination (No.1) 2008 (Amendment No.1 of 2014). The variations impose specific obligations on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the relevant television broadcasters. The ACMA is responsible for preparing and varying the television licence area plans under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA). The variations require the ACMA to update the existing Television Licence Area Plans (Brisbane) 2012, (Melbourne) 2012, and (Sydney) 2012 to reflect the new channel allotment end dates and to correct any discrepancies, such as removing obsolete allotments and inserting missing data. Broadcasters holding community television transmitter licences in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney must adhere to the new channel allotment end dates and ensure their operations comply with the updated plans. They are also required to cease operations on the new specified dates and may need to apply for new licences if they wish to continue broadcasting. There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in the variations themselves. However, any non-compliance with the BSA or the updated television licence area plans could result in enforcement actions by the ACMA. Such actions may include fines, licence revocations, or other regulatory sanctions under the BSA. The maximum penalties for breaches of the BSA can vary widely depending on the nature and severity of the offence, but they can include substantial fines and, in some cases, imprisonment.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.