22 November 1999

New community radio licence for Newcastle

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has allocated a new community radio licence for Newcastle, New South Wales.

The licence was allocated to Newcastle Christian Broadcasters Ltd. (Rhema FM) to operate a service on 99.7 MHz on the FM band from 1 December 1999. Until 1 December the current temporary community broadcasting service being provided by Visually Impaired Persons Inc. (VIP) will continue on that channel.

"The proposed service will add to the range and diversity of services in the Newcastle region," said Professor David Flint, ABA Chairman. "The applicant satisfied the ABA that it would meet the existing and perceived future needs of the Christian community of the Newcastle licence area."

The ABA has allocated this licence after a process of consultation with the people of the local community to seek their views on what additional broadcasting services were needed in their area.

The ABA received four applications for the new community radio licence. One was from Rhema FM, and the other three from VIP (representing the print handicapped community), Beatz Community Radio Broadcasting Inc. (representing the youth interest) and Hellenic Australia Radio Inc. (representing the Greek community).

The ABA decided to allocate the licence to Rhema FM as the ABA considered that in comparison to the other three applicants, Rhema FM would better meet the needs of the Newcastle community and that it has the capacity to provide its proposed service to a more significant degree.

To contact the new licensee, please call Mr John Marks, General Manager, Rhema FM, on (02) 4962 2338.

BACKGROUNDER

Newcastle region

The Newcastle area is currently served by the ABC and SBS national television services, and three commercial television services, NBN3, NEN54 and NRN57. In addition to the national radio services; ABC regional radio (2NC), ABC Radio National (2RN), 2JJJ, 2PB and SBS Radio (2EA), there are four commercial services; 2HD, 2NEW, 2XXX and 2KKO and a community broadcasting radio service, 2NUR.

An open narrowcasting service has been made available by the ABA to operate on the AM frequency of 1341 kHz. This channel is to be auctioned on 24 November 1999 and is being used at present until 31 December 1999 for a High Power Open Narrowcast service.

Community licence allocation

Part 6 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 provides for the allocation of community broadcasting licences.

The ABA uses a merit based allocation process where applicants compete on the basis of merit for the licence. The process includes opportunity for the public to comment on applications received.

The ABA must also have regard to:

(a) the extent to which the proposed service would meet the existing and perceived future needs of the community within the licence area of the proposed service; and

(b) the nature and diversity of the interests of that community; and

(c) the nature and diversity of other broadcasting services (including national broadcasting services) available within that licence area; and

(d) the capacity of the applicant to provide the proposed service; and

(e) the undesirability of one person being in a position to exercise control of more than one community broadcasting licence that is a broadcasting services bands licence in the same licence area; and

(f) the undesirability of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory or a political party being in a position to exercise control of a community broadcasting licence.

The Minister may also give directions to the ABA to give priority to a particular community interest or interests.

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