ABA - NR4/2003

3 February 2003

ABA decides not to allocate community radio licence in Lithgow - review in 12 months

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has decided not to allocate a community radio broadcasting licence in Lithgow, News South Wales at this time.

The ABA sought applications for the licence in September 2002. The sole applicant was Lithgow Community Broadcasters Incorporated. Lithgow Community Broadcasters Incorporated proposed to serve the mature and senior citizen community of the Lithgow licence area.

"After giving careful consideration to the criteria laid down in the legislation and the information provided by the applicant, the ABA has decided in this case not to allocate the licence," said Professor David Flint, ABA Chairman.

"The ABA has decided that in 12 months it will review the situation, with a view to readvertising the availability of the licence. During the intervening period the ABA encourages the applicant to operate a temporary service to develop its capacity," he said.

Until such time as the ABA reviews the temporary licence service and reconsiders a permanent allocation, the channel set aside for this licence (90.5 MHz) will be made available for temporary community broadcasting.

Media contact Donald Robertson, ABA Manager Media and PR on (02) 9334 7980.

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Backgrounder

Lithgow licence area

Lithgow is the major town within the Lithgow licence area. At Census 2001, the licence area population was 10,422 persons.

The Lithgow area is currently served by two national radio services, 2ABCRN and 2LG, and two commercial radio services, 2LT and Kiss FM. The Lithgow area is also served by two national television services, ABC and SBS, and three commercial television services, CBN, CTC and WIN

On 14 May 1997 the ABA finalised the radio licence area plan for the Lithgow licence area in New South Wales. It determined that one new community broadcasting licence be made available to serve the Lithgow area.

Community licence allocation

Part 6 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the Act), 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.< /p>

The ABA must have regard to:

1. 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
2. the nature and diversity of the interests of that community; and
3. the nature and diversity of other broadcasting services (including national broadcasting services) available within that licence area; and
4. the capacity of the applicant to provide the proposed service; and
5. 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
6. 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.

Under section 85 of the Act, the ABA is not required to allocate a community broadcasting licence to any applicant.

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

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