24 November 1999

New community radio licence for Rockhampton

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has allocated a community radio licence for Rockhampton, Queensland.

The licence was allocated to Central Queensland Aboriginal Corporation for Media on and the new service will broadcast on 100.7 MHz on the FM band.

The licensee has 12 months to get the new service up and running.

"The proposed service will add to the range and diversity of services in the Rockhampton region" said Professor David Flint, ABA Chairman. "The applicant satisfied the ABA it would meet the existing and perceived future needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in that 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 new community radio licence was advertised in the The Morning Bulletin on 18 September 1999. One application was received and the ABA assessed whether the proposed service would meet existing and future community needs.

Central Queensland Aboriginal Corporation for Media currently operates a full time service under a temporary community broadcasting licence. The service features a wide range of programming which is intended to appeal to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

To contact the new licensee, call Ms Stacey Miller, General Manager, on (07) 4921 4648.

BACKGROUNDER

Rockhampton region

Rockhampton is situated in Central Queensland and lies within the Rockhampton/ Gladstone commercial radio and television licence areas.

Rockhampton is currently served by ABC and SBS television in addition to three commercial television services. Radio services include four ABC services; 4ABCRN (Radio National), 4ABCFM (Fine Music), 4RK (Regional Radio) and JJJ (Youth Network). There are currently two commercial AM services, 4RO and 4CC and two newly licensed commercial FM services which have not yet commenced broadcasting. There is one community radio service, 4YOU, which serves the general community.

In the radio licence area plan for Rockhampton/ Gladstone, released on 5 March 1998, the ABA determined that one new community FM radio broadcasting licence be made available for Rockhampton.

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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