Discussion paper
february2014
Canberra
Red Building
Benjamin Offices
Chan Street
Belconnen ACT
PO Box 78
Belconnen ACT 2616
T +61 2 6219 5555
F +61 2 6219 5353 / Melbourne
Level 32
Melbourne Central Tower
360 Elizabeth Street Melbourne VIC
PO Box 13112
Law Courts
Melbourne VIC 8010
T +61 3 9963 6800
F +61 3 9963 6899 / Sydney
Level 5
The Bay Centre
65 Pirrama Road
Pyrmont NSW
PO Box Q500
Queen Victoria Building
NSW 1230
T +61 2 9334 7700
1800 226 667
F +61 2 9334 7799
© Commonwealth of Australia 2014
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced
by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction
and rights should be addressed to the Manager, Editorial Services, Australian Communications and Media Authority,
PO Box 13112 Law Courts, Melbourne Vic 8010.
Published by the Australian Communications and Media Authority
acma | 1
Contents (Continued)
Background
Preliminary view 1 – Commercial radio – Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell and Temora
Preliminary view 2 – Community radio –Temora and Cootamundra
Preliminary view 3 – Licence areas
Preliminary view 4 – Frequency Allotment Plan & Licence Area Designation
Preliminary view 5 – Minor amendments
Submissions
acma | 1Background
This discussion paper accompanies the proposed Draft Variation to Licence Area Plan – Young Radio – No.1 of 2014 and Draft Variation to Frequency Allotment Plan(the FAP).
The broadcast planning functions of the ACMA are set out in Part 3 of the
Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA). In performing its planning functions, the BSA requires the ACMA to promote the objects of the BSA,[1] including the economic and efficient use of radiofrequency spectrum, and to have regard to the planning criteria set out in section 23.
The ACMA refers to the General Approach to Analog Planning when it considers the planning of broadcasting services. This document sets out the legislative framework and planning criteria, as well as the general approach to the planning of broadcasting services. It also contains a record of advice and assumptions about matters relevant to the ACMA’s broadcast planning functions and powers.
Under section 26 (Preparation of licence area plans) of the BSA, the ACMA must, by legislative instrument, prepare licence area plans (LAPs) that determine the number and characteristics, including technical specifications, of broadcasting services that are to be available in particular areas of Australia with use of the broadcasting services bands (BSB), and those plans must be consistent with the FAP.
Subsection 26(2) of the BSA gives the ACMA a discretionary power to vary LAPs. There is no right to apply for a variation to a LAP; however, it is the ACMA’s practice to consider certain requests that LAPs be varied. The ACMA policy on assessing and prioritising requests to vary radio licence area plans (LAPs) sets out the framework for the ACMA’s consideration of requests for variation to radio LAPs received from licensees or third parties. Initial consideration of requests to vary LAPs is conducted as part of the ACMA’s incidental powers and functions under the ACMA Act. The ACMA’s planning functions in Part 3 of the BSA are not engaged unless or until it decides to propose a variation be made to the LAP, at which time the ACMA is obliged to engage in wide public consultation about the proposed variation.
If the ACMA decides to propose a radio LAP variation, it usually prepares a draft LAP showing the proposed variation, and releases the draft for wide public consultation. The draft LAP is generally accompanied by adiscussion paper. The ACMA considers submissions received from stakeholders before making a final decision on whether it will vary the LAP.
The licensees of the existing Young commercial radio broadcasting services with the callsigns 2LF and 2LFF have proposed that the ACMA consider varying the Young Radio LAP to make additional FM in-fill transmitters available at Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell and Temora for 2LF and at Grenfell and Temora for 2LFF.
The licensee of the Temora community broadcasting service with the callsign TEM FM has proposed that the ACMA consider a change to its technical specifications to improve coverage in the Temora area.
The ACMA has considered the above proposals and formed the preliminary view that proposed operations will promote the objects of the BSA, including the economic and efficient use of radiofrequency spectrum, by improving the coverage and reception of those services in their licence areas. It has therefore decided to seek public comment on the proposed LAP variation.
Further discussion of these matters is set out below.
Preliminary view 1 – Commercial radio – Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell and Temora
The ACMA proposes to make channel capacity available for in-fill transmitters for the Young commercial radio broadcasting service with the callsign 2LF at Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell and Temora, New South Wales. It is proposed that these additional transmitters operate on:- 105.3 MHz from Bimbadeen Water Tower, Cootamundra with a maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 100 W with an omni-directional (OD) antenna pattern and mixed polarisation.
- 100.7 MHz from Bellevue Hill Lookout, Cowra with a maximum ERP of 50 W with an OD antenna pattern and mixed polarisation;
- 100.7 MHz from Henry Lawson Way, Grenfell with a maximum ERP of 25 W with an OD antenna pattern and mixed polarisation; and
- 104.9 MHz from Burley Griffin Way Cnr Waratah Street, Temora with a maximum ERP of 50 W with an OD antenna pattern and mixed polarisation.
- 99.5 MHz from Henry Lawson Way, Grenfell with a maximum ERP of 25 W with an OD antenna pattern and mixed polarisation; and
- 104.1 MHz from Burley Griffin Way Cnr Waratah Street, Temora with a maximum ERP of 50 W with an OD antenna pattern and mixed polarisation.
The Licence Area Plan – Young Radio – December 2001 (the Young Radio LAP) was determined in December 2001 and varied in February 2004. In the LAP, the following radio services have been planned:
two national radio broadcasting services at Young;
two commercial radio broadcasting services (with callsigns 2LF and 2LFF) at Young, with additional transmitters for 2LFF at Cootamundra and Cowra;
one community radio broadcasting service at Young;
one community radio broadcasting service at Cowra; and
one community radio broadcasting service at Cootamundra.
In September 2010, the licensees of the 2LF and 2LFF Young commercial radio broadcasting services, Super Young 2LF Pty Ltd and Super Young 93.9 Pty Ltd, requested that the ACMA consider varying the Young LAP to make additional FM in-fill transmitters available at Cootamundra (2LF), Cowra (2LF), Grenfell (2LF and 2LFF) and Temora (2LF and 2LFF),so that it could extend coverage to currently unserved communities[2] in their licence area.
In considering whether to make additional channel capacity available at Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell and Temora, the ACMA has considered the matters listed in section 23 of the BSA, and, in particular, demographics and social and economic characteristics (paragraphs 23 (a) and (b)), the number of existing broadcasting services and the demand for new services (paragraph 23 (c)), and the technical restraints relating to the delivery of broadcasting services (paragraphs 23 (e)).
The ACMA’s preferred approach to rectifying deficient coverage for AM radio services within their licence area is to first attempt to modify the specifications of the existing AM transmitter. This may include increasing the transmitter power, changing the radiation pattern or introducing day/night switching. Where modifications to the AM service do not resolve the coverage deficiencies, FM solutions are then considered as an option.[3]
FM in-fill translators are only planned to supplement AM services where the required FM spectrum is available and the AM coverage does not provide the required grade of service, and where an additional FM transmitter is seen as the best option for in-filling the existing AM service.
Further information on the ACMA’s approach to in-fill transmitters is available in the document AM to FM conversion and requests for FM in-fill translators.
Cootamundra
The ACMA has found that:
Cootamundra is contained within the overlap area of the Young RA1 and Wagga RA1 licence areas,and has a population of 6695 residents.[4] It is located approximately 45 kilometres south west of Young.
An engineering assessment undertaken by the ACMA has verified that, at Cootamundra, signal levels of the 2LF Young service are below the suburban grade of service. There are no practical solutions to increasing the power of the 2LF Young service to provide coverage to Cootamundra without causing interference to co-channel and adjacent channel services within Australia and neighbouring countries. Due to general scarcity of AM frequencies and the licensee's indication that it would not implement an AM translator if one were planned, only options for FM translators were considered.
It has been determined that the FM frequency 105.3 MHz, with a maximum ERP of 100 W, is available and is suitable for use as an in-fill transmitter for the 2LF Young service.
Cowra
The ACMA has found that:
Cowra is contained within the overlap area of the Young RA1 and Orange RA1 licence areas,and has a population of 9730 residents.6It is located approximately 65 kilometres north east of Young.
An engineering assessment undertaken by the ACMA has verified that, at Cowra, signal levels of the 2LF Young service are below the suburban grade of service. There are no practical solutions to increasing the power of the 2LF Young service to provide coverage to Cowra without causing interference to co-channel and adjacent channel services within Australia and neighbouring countries. Due to general scarcity of AM frequencies and the licensee's indication that it would not implement an AM translator if one were planned, only options for FM translators were considered.
It has been determined that the FM frequency 100.7 MHz, with a maximum ERP of 50 W, is available and is suitable for use as an in-fill transmitter for the 2LF Young service.
Grenfell
The ACMA has found that:
Grenfell is contained within the Young RA1 licence area and has a population of 2583 residents.7It is located approximately 50 kilometres north of Young.
An engineering assessment undertaken by the ACMA has verified that, at Grenfell, signal levels of the 2LF Young service are below the suburban grade of service. There are no practical solutions to increasing the power of the 2LF Young service to provide coverage to Grenfellwithout causing interference to co-channel and adjacent channel services within Australia and neighbouring countries. Due to general scarcity of AM frequencies and the licensee's indication that it would not implement an AM translator if one were planned, only options for FM translators were considered.
It has been determined that the FM frequency 100.7 MHz, with a maximum ERP of 25 W, is available and is suitable for use as an in-fill transmitter for the 2LF Young service.
An engineering assessment performed by the ACMA has also verified that, at Grenfell, signal levels of the 2LFF Young service are below the suburban grade of service and that there are no practical solutions to increasing the power of the 2LFF Young service to provide coverage to Grenfell.
It has been determined that the FM frequency 99.5 MHz, with a maximum ERP of 25 W, is available and is suitable for use as an in-fill transmitter for the 2LFF Young service.
Temora
The ACMA has found that:
Temora is contained within the overlap area of the Young RA1 and Wagga RA1 licence areas,and has a population of 4417 residents.[5] It is located approximately 70 kilometres west of Young.
An engineering assessment undertaken by the ACMA has verified that, at Temora, signal levels of the 2LF Young service are below the suburban grade of service. There are no practical solutions to increasing the power of the 2LF Young service to provide coverage to Temorawithout causing interference to co-channel and adjacent channel services within Australia and neighbouring countries. Due to general scarcity of AM frequencies and the licensee's indication that it would not implement an AM translator if one were planned, only options for FM translators were considered.
It has been determined that the FM frequency 104.9 MHz, with a maximum ERP of 50 W, is available and is suitable for use as an in-fill transmitter for the 2LF Young service.
An engineering assessment performed by the ACMA has also verified that, at Temora, signal levels of the 2LFF Young service are below the suburban grade of service and that there are no practical solutions to increasing the power of the 2LFF Young service to provide coverage to Grenfell.
It has been determined that the FM frequency 104.1 MHz, with a maximum ERP of 50 W, is available and is suitable for use as an in-fill transmitter for the 2LFF Young service.
The ACMA is not aware of any other aspirant broadcasters or groups in the Cootamundra, Cowra, Grenfell and Temora areas who, by operating a radio broadcasting service, would better promote the objects of the BSA
Conclusion
The ACMA is therefore of the preliminary view that making the FM frequencies available for in-fill transmitters at Cootamundra (2LF), Cowra (2LF), Grenfell (2LF and 2LFF) and Temora (2LF and 2LFF) is an economic and efficient use of radiofrequency spectrum.
It is also expected to promote the objects of the BSA, in particular the objects at paragraphs 3(1)(a), (f) and (g), as it increases the mix and overall number of broadcasting services available, and is likely to increase the provision of diverse programming and coverage of matters of local significance in the Young area.
Preliminary view 2 – Community radio –Temora and Cootamundra
The ACMA proposes to make channel capacity available for a new community radio broadcasting service under service licence numberSL1130248 to serve the Temora area. It is proposed that this service operate on:- 102.5 MHz from Mekah Electrical 4 Hakea St TEMORA with a maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 150 watts (W) with an omni-directional (OD) antenna pattern and mixed polarisation.
In considering whether to plan for a new long-term radio broadcasting service in an area, the ACMA has considered whether there was any interest in providing a community radio broadcasting service in that area.
Temora
Since August 2010 Temora and District Community Radio Inc. (TEM FM) has been licensed to provide a temporary community radio broadcasting service (TCBL) in Temora. This service broadcasts from the Grand Hotel Corner Loftus and Crowley Streets, Temora, using FM frequency 102.5 MHz with a maximum ERP of 100 W OD.
TEM FM has requested the ACMA consider varying its technical specifications to allow for a relocation of its transmitter site to 4 Hakea Street, Temora, with a maximum ERP of 150 W OD.
The ACMA believes that the operation of the TEM FM TCBL suggests demand for a new community broadcasting service in Temora. The ACMA also believes that, if it were to make channel capacity available for a new long-term community radio broadcasting service, it is likely that it would be taken up.
The ACMA considers that planning a long-term community radio broadcasting service in the Temora area using 102.5 MHz will represent an economic and efficient use of radiofrequency spectrum. It is also expected to promote the objects of the BSA, in particular the objects at paragraphs 3(1)(a), and (g), as it increases the mix and overall number of broadcasting services available, and is likely to increase the provision of diverse programming and coverage of matters of local significance in the Young area.
Conclusion
Following consideration of the evidence available to it, the ACMA is therefore of the preliminary view that planning a long-term community radio broadcasting service in the Temora market using 102.5 MHz from 4 Hakea St, Temora, with a maximum ERP of 150 W with an OD antenna pattern will represent an economic and efficient use of radiofrequency spectrum, and promote the objects of the BSA. The ACMA believes that the new technical specifications will allow the community radio broadcasting service to better cover the licence area.
Cootamundra
The Young Radio LAP was determined in December 2001 and amongst other things planned for a community radio broadcasting service at Cootamundra. This service is currently unallocated and no interest has been expressed by any aspirant community broadcasting licensee in the Cootamundra area to provide a community radio broadcasting service. The ACMA is therefore of the view that the planned Cootamundra community broadcasting channel allocation be removed from the Young LAP and the spectrum set aside for more efficient and effective use.
Preliminary view 3 – Licence areas
The ACMA proposes that the existing commercial and community radio broadcasting licence areas in Young LAP be redefined using 2006 census data but otherwise remain unchanged.The ACMA also proposes to determine a new licence area for the Temora community radio broadcasting service and remove the licence area associated with the unallocated Cootamundra community radio broadcasting service
The licence areas for commercial and community radio services in the YoungRadio LAP are currently described using boundaries from the 2001 census.
The ACMA proposes to update the description of the licence areas in the Young Radio LAP so they are defined in terms used in the 2006 census, and are consistent with the ACMA’s published determination of population of licence areas under section 30 of the BSA.
Whilst the 2011 census data has been made available to the ACMA, the geographic areas used as the basis for this data has changed from the Australian Standard Geographical Classification to the Australian Statistical Geography Standard. This change in standard has raised issues with the current approach to defining and describing licence areas. This matter is currently under review however until it is resolved, licence areas will not be defined using 2011 census data.
The ACMA also proposes to determine a new licence area for the Temora community radio broadcasting service – Temora RA1 – using 2006 census data, and remove the Cootamundra RA1 licence area for the planned but unallocated community radio broadcasting service for Cootamundra.