{"id":"F2006L00221","name":"Licence Area Plan - Arnhem Land (Radio) - January 2006","slug":"licence-area-plan-arnhem-land-radio-january-2006","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":58173,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L00221-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Licence Area Plan - Arnhem Land (Radio) - January 2006","content":"LICENCE AREA PLAN\n\nARNHEM LAND, NT  \n(RADIO)\n\n© Commonwealth of Australia January 2006\n\nThis work is copyright. Apart from fair dealings for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means or process, without the written permission of the publishers.\n\nPublished by the Australian Communications and Media Authority  \nPO Box 34  \nBELCONNEN ACT 2616\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN – ARNHEM LAND (RADIO)\n\nDETERMINATION\n\n(1) The Australian Communications and Media Authority hereby makes this plan for broadcasting services in the Arnhem Land and Darwin area of the Northern Territory, under subsection 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.\n\n(2) One community radio service is to be available in the area described at Attachment 1.1 to this Determination with the use of the broadcasting services bands. The characteristics, including the technical specifications, of the service that is to be available in the area described at Attachment 1.1 are set out in Schedule One and Attachments 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 to this Determination.\n\n(3) A reference in this determination to a schedule or an attachment includes a reference to a schedule or attachment as amended from time to time.\n\nThe Common Seal of the Australian Communications and Media Authority was affixed to this document in the presence of:\n\nLyn Maddock (signed) Chris Cheah (signed)\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_ \\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nSignature of Member Signature of Member\n\nLyn Maddock Chris Cheah  \n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_ \\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nName (Please Print) Name (Please Print)\n\n  \nDate: 19 January 2006.\n\n  \nSchedule One\n\nLicence Area Plan : Arnhem Land Radio – January 2006\n\nLicence Area : ARNHEM LAND RA1\n\n| Service Category | Channel/ Frequency | Service Licence No | Transmitter Specification No | Attach No | Area Served  |\n| ---------------- | ------------------ | ------------------ | ---------------------------- | --------- | ------------ |\n| Community        | 1503 kHz           | SL1130001          | TS1130047                    | 1.2       | Nhulunbuy    |\n|                  | 1530 kHz           | SL1130001          | TS1130046                    | 1.3       | Darwin       |\n|                  | 1593 kHz           | SL1130001          | TS1130048                    | 1.4       | Yathalamarra |\n|                  | 1566 kHz           | SL1130001          | TS1130049                    | 1.5       | Elcho Island |\n|                  | 1476 kHz           | SL1130001          | TS1130050                    | 1.6       | Gapuwiyak    |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.1\n\nLicence Area - ARNHEM LAND RA1\n\nLicence Area ID - 1292\n\nThe licence area, in terms of areas defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics at the Census of 5 August 2001, is:\n\n| Area Description              |\n| ----------------------------- |\n| Palmerston (C) (LGA)          |\n| Alawa (SLA)                   |\n| Anula (SLA)                   |\n| City - Remainder (SLA)        |\n| East Arm (SLA)                |\n| Jingili (SLA)                 |\n| Karama (SLA)                  |\n| Leanyer (SLA)                 |\n| Lee Point-Leanyer Swamp (SLA) |\n| Litchfield (S) - Pt A (SLA)   |\n| Malak (SLA)                   |\n| Marrara (SLA)                 |\n| Millner (SLA)                 |\n| Moil (SLA)                    |\n| Nakara (SLA)                  |\n| Narrows (SLA)                 |\n| Nhulunbuy (SLA)               |\n| Parap (SLA)                   |\n| Wagaman (SLA)                 |\n| Wanguri (SLA)                 |\n| Winnellie (SLA)               |\n| Wulagi (SLA)                  |\n| NT CD 010301                  |\n| NT CD 010302                  |\n| NT CD 010401                  |\n| NT CD 010402                  |\n| NT CD 010403                  |\n| NT CD 010404                  |\n| NT CD 010406                  |\n| NT CD 010501                  |\n| NT CD 010502                  |\n| NT CD 010503                  |\n| NT CD 010504                  |\n| NT CD 010601                  |\n| NT CD 010602                  |\n| NT CD 010603                  |\n| NT CD 010604                  |\n| NT CD 010605                  |\n| NT CD 010607                  |\n| NT CD 010901                  |\n| NT CD 010902                  |\n| NT CD 010903                  |\n| NT CD 010904                  |\n| NT CD 010905                  |\n| NT CD 010906                  |\n| NT CD 011201                  |\n| NT CD 011202                  |\n| NT CD 011203                  |\n| NT CD 011901                  |\n| NT CD 011902                  |\n| NT CD 011903                  |\n| NT CD 011904                  |\n| NT CD 011905                  |\n| NT CD 011906                  |\n| NT CD 011907                  |\n| NT CD 011908                  |\n| NT CD 012101                  |\n| NT CD 012102                  |\n| NT CD 012103                  |\n| NT CD 012104                  |\n| NT CD 012105                  |\n| NT CD 012106                  |\n| NT CD 012107                  |\n| NT CD 012201                  |\n| NT CD 012202                  |\n| NT CD 012203                  |\n| NT CD 012204                  |\n| NT CD 012205                  |\n| NT CD 012206                  |\n| NT CD 012208                  |\n| NT CD 012301                  |\n| NT CD 012401                  |\n| NT CD 012402                  |\n| NT CD 012403                  |\n| NT CD 012404                  |\n| NT CD 012405                  |\n| NT CD 012407                  |\n| NT CD 013701                  |\n| NT CD 013702                  |\n| NT CD 013704                  |\n| NT CD 013706                  |\n| NT CD 013708                  |\n| NT CD 013709                  |\n| NT CD 013710                  |\n| NT CD 014301                  |\n| NT CD 014302                  |\n| NT CD 014405                  |\n| NT CD 014406                  |\n| NT CD 014407                  |\n| NT CD 014409                  |\n| NT CD 014414                  |\n| NT CD 014415                  |\n| NT CD 030402                  |\n| NT CD 030404                  |\n| NT CD 030406                  |\n| NT CD 030407                  |\n| NT CD 030408                  |\n| NT CD 030409                  |\n| NT CD 030410                  |\n| NT CD 030411                  |\n| NT CD 030412                  |\n| NT CD 030416                  |\n| NT CD 030417                  |\n| NT CD 030419                  |\n| NT CD 030420                  |\n| NT CD 030422                  |\n| NT CD 030425                  |\n| NT CD 030426                  |\n\nNote:\n\nStandard terminology used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:\n\n(C) \\= City\n\n(LGA) \\= Local Government Area\n\n(SLA) \\= Statistical Local Area\n\n(CD) \\= Collection District\n\n(S) \\= Shire\n\n  \nAttachment 1.2\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Arnhem Land Radio – January 2006\n\nCategory : Community\n\nGeneral Area Served : Nhulunbuy (NT)\n\nService Licence Number : SL1130001\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS1130047\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : MF Broadcast Site NHULUNBUY\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 53 694962 8651707\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 1503 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| 0°T - 0°T                               | 0         | 220 V       |\n| 10°T - 10°T                             | 0         | 180 V       |\n| 20°T - 20°T                             | 0         | 145 V       |\n| 30°T - 30°T                             | 0         | 125 V       |\n| 40°T - 40°T                             | 0         | 110 V       |\n| 50°T - 50°T                             | 0         | 110 V       |\n| 60°T - 60°T                             | 0         | 125 V       |\n| 70°T - 70°T                             | 0         | 145 V       |\n| 80°T - 80°T                             | 0         | 180 V       |\n| 90°T - 90°T                             | 0         | 220 V       |\n| 100°T - 100°T                           | 0         | 265 V       |\n| 110°T - 110°T                           | 0         | 315 V       |\n| 120°T - 120°T                           | 0         | 370 V       |\n| 130°T - 130°T                           | 0         | 420 V       |\n| 140°T - 140°T                           | 0         | 470 V       |\n| 150°T - 150°T                           | 0         | 510 V       |\n| 160°T - 160°T                           | 0         | 545 V       |\n| 170°T - 170°T                           | 0         | 570 V       |\n| 180°T - 180°T                           | 0         | 590 V       |\n| 190°T - 190°T                           | 0         | 605 V       |\n| 200°T - 200°T                           | 0         | 610 V       |\n| 210°T - 210°T                           | 0         | 615 V       |\n| 220°T - 220°T                           | 0         | 620 V       |\n| 230°T - 230°T                           | 0         | 620 V       |\n| 240°T - 240°T                           | 0         | 615 V       |\n| 250°T - 250°T                           | 0         | 610 V       |\n| 260°T - 260°T                           | 0         | 605 V       |\n| 270°T - 270°T                           | 0         | 590 V       |\n| 280°T - 280°T                           | 0         | 570 V       |\n| 290°T - 290°T                           | 0         | 545 V       |\n| 300°T - 300°T                           | 0         | 510 V       |\n| 310°T - 310°T                           | 0         | 470 V       |\n| 320°T - 320°T                           | 0         | 420 V       |\n| 330°T - 330°T                           | 0         | 370 V       |\n| 340°T - 340°T                           | 0         | 315 V       |\n| 350°T - 350°T                           | 0         | 265 V       |\n| 360°T - 360°T                           | 0         | 220 V       |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.3\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Arnhem Land Radio – January 2006\n\nCategory : Community\n\nGeneral Area Served : Darwin (NT)\n\nService Licence Number : SL1130001\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS1130046\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : NTA Transmission Site Douglas Street LUDMILLA\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 52 700940 8625700\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 1530 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 0         | 450 V       |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.4\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Arnhem Land Radio – January 2006\n\nCategory : Community\n\nGeneral Area Served : Yathalamarra (NT)\n\nService Licence Number : SL1130001\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS1130048\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : YATHALAMARRA 5km SW of RAMINGINING\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 53 489129 8633815\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 1593 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 0         | 200 V       |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.5\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Arnhem Land Radio – January 2006\n\nCategory : Community\n\nGeneral Area Served : Elcho Island (NT)\n\nService Licence Number : SL1130001\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS1130049\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : NAS Site Galiwinku ELCHO ISLAND\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 53 562499 8671011\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 1566 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 0         | 315 V       |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.6\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Arnhem Land Radio – January 2006\n\nCategory : Community\n\nGeneral Area Served : Gapuwiyak (NT)\n\nService Licence Number : SL1130001\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS1130050\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Resource Centre GAPUWIYAK\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 53 587798 8617095\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 1476 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 0         | 200 V       |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The plan implements the standard function available under subsection 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992: to make specified broadcasting services available in a licence area by setting service type, frequencies and technical parameters. The document confines itself to that task (defining one community service, its frequencies, transmitter sites and technical limits) and does not broaden the statutory purpose. There is administrative flexibility to amend attachments, but that is an implementation mechanism rather than an expansion of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Single Determination with Schedule and 6 attachments (Schedule One + Attachments 1.1–1.6)","Extensive list of ABS geographic units in Attachment 1.1 (dozens of SLA/LGA and many CD entries)","Detailed transmitter technical tables per attachment (including a 36-sector bearing/CMF table for Nhulunbuy)","Cross-reference to external Technical Planning Guidelines for site tolerances and planning rules","Explicit provision allowing attachments/schedules to be amended (gives administrative conditionality)","One service licence (SL1130001) applied across multiple transmitters/frequencies (consolidated allocation)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This is a licence area plan made by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under subsection 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (see Determination (1) and (2)).\n- It declares that one community radio service must be available in the Arnhem Land licence area (Licence Area ID ARNHEM LAND RA1). The plan then specifies the exact frequencies, transmitter sites, and technical parameters that implement that service (see Schedule One and Attachments 1.2–1.6).\n- The plan also says that references to a schedule or attachment include that schedule or attachment as amended over time, so ACMA can update technical details without reissuing the whole Determination (Determination (3)).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- ACMA: decides and enforces the licence area plan and can amend attachments (Determination (1)–(3)).\n- The named licence holder: the plan identifies a single service licence number (SL1130001) as the community radio service for the area (Schedule One). That licence is the direct beneficiary of the frequencies and transmitter authorisations listed.\n- Potential broadcasters and the public: only one community radio service is prescribed for this licence area, which restricts the availability of those specified AM frequencies to that licence holder for the laid-out service area.\n- Technical service providers and transmitter operators: must meet the transmitter specifications set out in Attachments 1.2–1.6 (site location, carrier frequency, emission mode, output pattern, and site tolerance references).\n\n**Key practical details (how it works on the ground)**\n\n- Schedule One lists five AM carrier frequencies tied to one community service licence (SL1130001) and five transmitter specification numbers. The listed service locations are Nhulunbuy, Darwin, Yathalamarra (near Ramingining), Elcho Island (Galiwinku), and Gapuwiyak (Schedule One).\n- Attachments 1.2–1.6 give the technical specifications for each transmitter: map-grid coordinates, carrier frequency (e.g. 1503 kHz at Nhulunbuy, 1530 kHz at Darwin, etc.), emission mode (MF–AM), site tolerance (referencing Technical Planning Guidelines), and the permitted output radiation pattern and maximum CMF (carrier modulation factor/voltage) across bearings.\n- Attachment 1.1 defines the licence area geographically using Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) units (a long list of Statistical Local Areas, Local Government Areas and Collection Districts) so the service area is tied to census-derived boundaries.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and mechanical consequences)**\n\n- Stated purpose (as implemented): to make a community radio service available in the Arnhem Land/Darwin area by allocating specific AM spectrum and transmitter authorisations (Determination (2) and Schedule One).\n- Practical consequence: one licence holder is given exclusive operational rights on the listed AM frequencies within the defined licence area and must operate in accordance with the technical attachments. That creates a clear, enforceable allocation of those MF–AM frequencies in this region.\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs (implementation, compliance, market effects)**\n\n- Who pays / bears costs: the licence holder bears the cost of complying with technical specifications, constructing and operating the transmitters at the nominated sites, and maintaining the service across several remote locations (Attachments 1.2–1.6 specify multiple transmitter sites). ACMA bears regulatory costs of monitoring and enforcement.\n- Concentrated benefits: the specified licence holder (SL1130001) receives concentrated value — exclusive access to the listed AM channels and transmitter authorisations (Schedule One). Other potential community or commercial broadcasters in the area are excluded from those exact frequencies for that licence area.\n- Diffuse costs and opportunity cost: restricting these frequencies to one community service reduces the pool of spectrum available for other uses (other community groups or commercial entrants) in the defined geographic units listed in Attachment 1.1.\n- Compliance burden and implementation risk: the licence holder must meet the detailed transmitter parameters (including precise map-grid locations and sector-by-sector output limits—see notably the detailed bearing/CMF table in Attachment 1.2 for Nhulunbuy). Operating multiple AM sites in remote areas increases operational complexity and ongoing costs (power supply, maintenance, skilled staff).\n- Regulatory discretion and change risk: Determination (3) expressly allows schedules and attachments to be amended, giving ACMA scope to change technical parameters or coverage over time (administrative flexibility that affects the licence-holder’s planning certainty).\n- Market effects: by prescribing a single community licence across several transmitters, the plan limits competition for those specific AM channels within the defined census areas. It does not itself create commercial radio authorisations; it prescribes community service provision and the technical envelope for that service.\n\n**Cross-references and operational dependencies**\n\n- The plan cross-references the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (s.26(1)) and external Technical Planning Guidelines (for site tolerance and related planning rules), meaning practical deployment depends on compliance with the Guidelines as well as the Determination and attachments.\n\n**Bottom line**\n\n- This is a technical and geographic allocation: ACMA designates one community radio service for the Arnhem Land licence area and specifies the frequencies, transmitter sites and technical limits that make that service available. The main effects are to give a named licence holder exclusive access to specified AM spectrum in defined ABS areas, to impose detailed technical operating requirements, and to preserve ACMA’s ability to amend those technical details over time."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard technical planning instrument of the type made routinely under s 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The scope remains tightly confined to frequency allocation and technical parameters for a single community radio service. The inclusion of Darwin within an 'Arnhem Land' plan is unusual geographically but reflects the historical operational reality of the licence holder (likely TEABBA or similar Indigenous broadcaster) rather than scope creep in the legislative instrument itself."},"complexity_factors":["Highly structured but repetitive format: five nearly identical technical attachments with only location-specific variables changed","Minimal conditional logic: no 'if-then' provisions, exceptions, or nested definitions","Zero defined terms in the document itself (relies entirely on external references like 'Technical Planning Guidelines' and the Broadcasting Services Act 1992)","Simple cross-referencing: schedules and attachments referenced by number only, with explicit 'as amended from time to time' clause","Technical density: contains specialised broadcasting engineering data (CMF values, Australian Map Grid coordinates, azimuth bearings) that are opaque to general readers but standard for the industry","Geographic complexity: licence area defined by 85 separate ABS statistical boundaries requiring external lookup to interpret"],"plain_english_summary":"This ACMA Licence Area Plan authorises a single community radio service to operate across Arnhem Land and parts of Darwin, defining technical and geographic limits for five AM transmitters. It applies to listeners in Nhulunbuy, Darwin suburbs and remote communities (Elcho Island, Gapuwiyak, etc.) and to the licence holder who must meet power, antenna and coverage rules.\n\nIt matters because it gives the legal and technical certainty needed for Indigenous and remote community broadcasting and prevents harmful interference."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-arnhem-land-radio-january-2006","history":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-arnhem-land-radio-january-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-arnhem-land-radio-january-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-arnhem-land-radio-january-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-arnhem-land-radio-january-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-arnhem-land-radio-january-2006/documents"}}