3 November 1999

ABA invites applications for a new community radio licence for Grafton

The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) has invited applications for a community radio licence for Grafton, New South Wales.

"Allocation of a new community radio licence has begun in the Grafton area as a result of the ABA’s public planning process being finalised in this area,’ said Professor David Flint, ABA Chairman. "The planning process identified demand for a new community service that is operated by people living in the Grafton community." .

Free-to-air community radio licences must be allocated on the basis of merit. Under this system, in areas where there is only one applicant for a community radio licence, the ABA need only decide if the applicant merits a licence.

When there is more than one applicant, the ABA may also have to choose on the basis of comparative merit. Alternatively, applicants could combine to present a unified application.

Prospective applicants should obtain a copy of the free information booklet, Allocation of Community Broadcasting Licences (Broadcasting Services Bands). The booklet also contains the application form, Form ABA 32, Application for the Allocation of a Community Broadcasting Licence (Broadcasting Services Bands). For copies of the booklet and information about how to apply for a community radio licence, call the ABA’s Licensing Section on (02) 9334 7700.

Applications for the licences must be received before 5.00 pm Monday 29 November 1999. From Monday, 6 December, copies of any applications received will be placed in the Grafton City Branch Library, Civic Centre, Prince St, Grafton. The ABA welcomes written submissions from members of the public in relation to the applications received. Submissions should be lodged with the ABA by no later than 5.00 pm Monday 20 December 1999.

Backgrounder

Only non-profit community broadcasting organisations, which represent a community interest, will be eligible for the allocation of a community broadcasting licence.

The ABA’s allocation system only applies to services using radio frequency spectrum in the broadcasting services bands, not to community services using cable, satellite or other means of delivery.

Community licences can be allocated only if the ABA makes new community broadcasting services available in an area following its planning process and the release of a licence area plan (LAP).

The procedures the ABA will follow for allocating new licences are:

The ABA will advertise for applications in newspapers in the licence area. Applications must be lodged with the ABA by the date advertised. They must be made on the approved form, Form ABA 32: Application for the Allocation of a Community Broadcasting Licence (Broadcasting Services Bands).

The ABA will publicise the details of applications received and advise when these will be available for public comment. Written comments on applications must be lodged with the ABA within 21 days from the date the ABA publicises their receipt.

The ABA will assess all applications on merit having regard to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (‘the Act’). The ABA will decide if a licence is to be allocated and in the case of competing applicants, to which applicant.

The ABA is not obliged to allocate a community broadcasting licence to an applicant even though the ABA has advertised for and received applications.

The Act provides that the allocation of broadcasting services bands community broadcasting licences is merit based: that is, the ABA will allocate these licences on the basis of the merits of applicants and their proposed services and, where necessary, on the comparative merits of competing applications.

In assessing applications the ABA will have regard to matters set out in the Act. These matters include:

• whether the proposed service meets the definition of a community broadcasting service;
• whether the applicant is a ‘company’ and represents a community interest;
• whether the allocation is subject to any Ministerial ‘priority direction’;
• the needs and interests of the community and the extent to which the applicant’s proposed service would meet those needs and interests;
• the applicants capacity to provide the proposed service; and
• matters related to the control of the licence.

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