3 November 1999

ABA invites applications for two new community radio licences for Wollongong

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has invited applications for two new community radio licences in the Wollongong area of New South Wales.

"Allocation of the two new community radio licences has begun in Wollongong 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 a demand for two new community services that are operated by people living in the Wollongong 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 Wollongong Central Library, 41 Burelli Street Wollongong. 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 that represent a community interest will be eligible for the allocation of a community broadcasting licence.

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.

The ABA has advertised 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).

Applications received will be made available for public comment. Written comments on applications must be lodged with the ABA within 14 days of the date the ABA provides them to the public library.

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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