{"id":"F2005B01217","name":"Licence Area Plan - Merredin (Radio) - September 1996","slug":"licence-area-plan-merredin-radio-september-1996","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":32494,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005B01217-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Licence Area Plan - Merredin (Radio) - September 1996","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nMERREDIN\n\n(RADIO)\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN\n\nSEPTEMBER 1996\n\n  \nRADIO LICENCE AREA PLAN -  \nMERREDIN\n\nDETERMINATION\n\nThe Australian Broadcasting Authority hereby makes this plan for broadcasting services in the Merredin region of Western Australia, under subsection 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.\n\nFour national radio broadcasting services, two commercial radio services and two open narrowcasting radio service are to be available in the Merredin region described at Attachment 1.1 to this Determination with the use of the broadcasting services bands. The characteristics, including technical specifications, of the services that are to be available in the area described at Attachment 1.1 (Merredin) are set out in Schedule One and Attachments 1.2 - 1.14.\n\nOne community radio broadcasting service for Bruce Rock is to be available in the area described at Attachment 2.1 to this Determination with the use of the broadcasting services bands. The characteristics, including technical specifications of the service that is to be available in the area described at attachment 2.1 is set out in Schedule Two and Attachment 2.2 to this Determination. The community radio broadcasting service referred to in Schedule Two is to be available for allocation immediately after publication of the notice in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette stating that the Merredin radio licence area plan has been made.\n\n(Determined by the Australian Broadcasting Authority on 26 September 1996)\n\n  \nSCHEDULES\n\nEach of the Schedules sets out:\n\n-   the category of each of the services that are to be available in that area  \n    (column one),\n-   the service licence number which has been allocated to the service, if appropriate (column two); N/A = not applicable, as the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 only requires service licences for commercial and community services.\n-   the number of transmitters required to transmit the service,\n-   the transmitter specification number which has been allocated to each transmitter (column three),\n-   the identifying number of the attachment where the technical specifications for each transmitter are described (column four). (Each set of technical specifications referred to the Schedules is an attachment to this determination).\n-   general area served by each transmitter (column five).\n\n  \nSCHEDULE ONE\n\nRadio Licence Area Plan - Merredin - September 1996.\n\nLicence Area - Merredin\n\n| Commercial         | SL010003 | TS001312 | Attachment 1.2  | Merredin       |\n| ------------------ | -------- | -------- | --------------- | -------------- |\n| Commercial         | SL010008 | TS005158 | Attachment 1.3  | Merredin       |\n|                    |          | TS005160 | Attachment 1.4  | Beacon         |\n|                    |          | TS005161 | Attachment 1.5  | Hyden          |\n|                    |          | TS005163 | Attachment 1.6  | Kondinin       |\n|                    |          | TS005166 | Attachment 1.7  | Narembeen      |\n|                    |          | TS005204 | Attachment 1.8  | Southern Cross |\n| National           | N/A      | TS000108 | Attachment 1.9  | Merredin       |\n| National           | N/A      | TS000174 | Attachment 1.10 | Narembeen      |\n| National           | N/A      | TS000166 | Attachment 1.11 | Southern Cross |\n| National           | N/A      | TS001304 | Attachment 1.12 | Southern Cross |\n| Open Narrowcasting | N/A      | TS000109 | Attachment 1.13 | Merredin       |\n| Open Narrowcasting | N/A      | TS004581 | Attachment 1.14 | Southern Cross |\n\nSCHEDULE TWO\n\nRadio Licence Area Plan - Merredin - September 1996.\n\n| Category of Service | Service Licence Number | Transmitter Specification Number | Technical Specifications | General Area served by Transmitter |\n| ------------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------- |\n| Community           | SL010318               | TS004815                         | Attachment 2.2           | Bruce Rock                         |\n\n  \nATTACHMENT 1.1\n\nLICENCE AREA FOR SERVICE LICENCE Nos: SL010003 and SL010008\n\nCOMMERCIAL RADIO MERREDIN, WA\n\nThe licence area, in terms of areas defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics at the Census of 6 August 1991, is:\n\n| Area Description | Persons |\n| ---------------- | ------- |\n| Bruce Rock (S)   | 1179    |\n| Kellerberrin (S) | 1339    |\n| Koorda (S)       | 617     |\n| Merredin (S)     | 3824    |\n| Mukinbudin (S)   | 679     |\n| Narembeen (S)    | 1004    |\n| Nungarin (S)     | 303     |\n| Tammin (S)       | 497     |\n| Trayning (S)     | 480     |\n| Westonia (S)     | 280     |\n| Wyalkatchem (S)  | 703     |\n| WA CD 041902     | 726     |\n| WA CD 041903     | 148     |\n| WA CD 040402     | 116     |\n| WA CD 040403     | 234     |\n| WA CD 040404     | 371     |\n| WA CD 141401     | 366     |\n| WA CD 141402     | 313     |\n| WA CD 141403     | 158     |\n| WA CD 022702     | 118     |\n| WA CD 022703     | 237     |\n| WA CD 022704     | 121     |\n| WA CD 022705     | 169     |\n| WA CD 041803     | 702     |\n| WA CD 041804     | 136     |\n| WA CD 140903     | 314     |\n| WA CD 140904     | 984     |\n| WA CD 140906     | 164     |\n| WA CD 041004     | 691     |\n| WA CD 041005     | 237     |\n|                  |         |\n| Total Persons    | 17210   |\n\nNote: Standard terminology used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:\n\n(C) \\= City\n\n(CGC) \\= Community Government Council\n\n(S) \\= Shire\n\nPt \\= Part\n\n(T) \\= Town\n\n(L) \\= Locality\n\n(M) \\= Municipality\n\n(B) \\= Borough\n\n(DC) \\= District Council\n\n(RC) \\= Rural City\n\n(SF) \\= State Forest\n\nBal \\= Balance\n\n  \nAttachment 1.2\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Merredin (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10003\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10001312\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : 7.2 km WSW of town MERREDIN\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 614300 6513900\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 1098 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\nNotes :-\n\n1\\. The CMF at all elevations is not to exceed the specified CMF at 0 degrees elevation for all angles of azimuth.\n\n  \nAttachment 1.3\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Merredin (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10008\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10005158\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : 7.2 km WSW of town MERREDIN\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 614300 6513900\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 105.1 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 64 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 10 kW       |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.4\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Beacon (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10008\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10005160\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Beacon, Lot 21 Rowlands Rd\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 583000 6630800\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 88.5 MHz\n\nPolarisation Vertical\n\nMaximum antenna height 20 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 20 W        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.5\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Hyden (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10008\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10005161\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Lot 3Clayton Street HYDEN\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 675200 6408400\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 88.7 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 20 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 25 W        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.6\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Kondinin (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10008\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10005163\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Cnr Graham St & Karlgarin Rd KONDININ\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 618400 6403400\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 88.3 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 30 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 25 W        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.7\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Narembeen (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10008\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10005166\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Adj To High School NAREMBEEN\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 631000 6451600\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 93.1 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 20 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 50 W        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.8\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Southern Cross (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10008\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10005204\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Ghooli R/T site\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 738800 6536900\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 102.3 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 70 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 1 kW        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.9\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : National\n\nGeneral Area Served : Merredin (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10000108\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : R/T Site MERREDIN\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 621100 6516100\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 107.3 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 60 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 50 W        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.10\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : National\n\nGeneral Area Served : Narembeen (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10000174\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Adj To High School NAREMBEEN\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 631000 6451600\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 107.7 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 20 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 50 W        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.11\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : National\n\nGeneral Area Served : Southern Cross (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10000166\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Ghooli R/T site\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 738800 6536900\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 107.9 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 70 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 1 kW        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.12\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : National\n\nGeneral Area Served : Southern Cross (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10001304\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Ghooli (R/T)\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 738800 6536900\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 106.3 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 70 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 1 kW        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.13\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Open Narrowcasting\n\nGeneral Area Served : Merredin (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10000109\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : 2 Bates St MERREDIN\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 621000 6516100\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 95.9 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 30 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 50 W        |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.14\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Open Narrowcasting\n\nGeneral Area Served : Southern Cross (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10004581\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Antares St SOUTHERN CROSS\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 721600 6542100\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 88.7 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 10 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 50 W        |\n\n  \nATTACHMENT 2.1\n\nLICENCE AREA FOR SERVICE LICENCE No: SL010318\n\nCOMMUNITY RADIO BRUCE ROCK, WA\n\nThe licence area, in terms of areas defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics at the Census of 6 August 1991, is:\n\n| Area Description | Persons |\n| ---------------- | ------- |\n| WA CD 040801     | 245     |\n| WA CD 040803     | 568     |\n| WA CD 040804     | 355     |\n| WA CD 141104     | 117     |\n| WA CD 141105     | 152     |\n| WA CD 141106     | 379     |\n| WA CD 141107     | 818     |\n| WA CD 141108     | 733     |\n| WA CD 141109     | 630     |\n| WA CD 141110     | 504     |\n| WA CD 141201     | 104     |\n| WA CD 141202     | 129     |\n| WA CD 141203     | 565     |\n| WA CD 141204     | 101     |\n| WA CD 141205     | 96      |\n| WA CD 141206     | 184     |\n| WA CD 141301     | 203     |\n| WA CD 141305     | 449     |\n|                  |         |\n| Total Persons    | 6332    |\n\nNote: Standard terminology used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:\n\n(C) \\= City\n\n(CGC) \\= Community Government Council\n\n(S) \\= Shire\n\nPt \\= Part\n\n(T) \\= Town\n\n(L) \\= Locality\n\n(M) \\= Municipality\n\n(B) \\= Borough\n\n(DC) \\= District Council\n\n(RC) \\= Rural City\n\n(SF) \\= State Forest\n\nBal \\= Balance\n\n  \nAttachment 2.2\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN :\n\nCategory : Community\n\nGeneral Area Served : Bruce Rock (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10318\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS10004815\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Doodlakine Rd BRUCE ROCK\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 602400 6480900\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 100.9 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 30 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 2 kW        |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard Licence Area Plan of the type made under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. It remains focused on its original purpose: planning radio broadcasting services for a specific regional area with technical specifications and licence allocations. There is no evidence of scope creep beyond the original intent of spectrum planning and service allocation."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-referenced schedules and attachments (14 attachments total)","Technical specifications requiring specialised knowledge (frequency bands, ERP measurements, Australian Map Grid coordinates)","Nested structure: Determination → Schedules → Attachments → Technical specifications","Defined statistical terminology from ABS Census data (though helpfully explained in notes)","Multiple service categories with different regulatory treatments (commercial require service licences; national and narrowcasting marked 'N/A')","Precise geographic and engineering data (easting/northing coordinates, antenna heights, radiation patterns)"],"plain_english_summary":"This document is a **Licence Area Plan** made by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (now the Australian Communications and Media Authority) in September 1996. It sets out the rules for radio broadcasting in the Merredin region of Western Australia.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Plans what radio services** should be available in Merredin and surrounding towns (including Bruce Rock, Beacon, Hyden, Kondinin, Narembeen, and Southern Cross).\n- **Allocates frequencies** (the specific spots on the radio dial) to different types of broadcasters.\n- **Sets technical specifications** for transmitters—things like power output, tower height, and exact geographic coordinates—so stations don't interfere with each other.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Commercial radio stations** (2 services with multiple transmitters to cover the region)\n- **National broadcasters** (4 services—typically ABC and SBS radio)\n- **Community radio** (1 service specifically for Bruce Rock)\n- **Open narrowcasting services** (2 services—specialised radio with limited coverage, like racing or religious radio)\n- **Local residents** who want to know what radio services they should receive\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis plan ensures that different radio stations can operate without technical interference, guarantees a mix of commercial, public (national), and community radio for the region, and defines exactly which geographic areas are covered by each licence. It's essentially the blueprint that allows radio stations to legally broadcast in this part of rural Western Australia.\n\n**Key details:**\n- The plan covers a population of about 17,210 people across multiple shires\n- It uses 1991 Census boundaries to define coverage areas\n- One commercial service uses AM radio (1098 kHz); most others use FM\n- The community radio service for Bruce Rock was made available immediately upon publication"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This determination performs the core, expected function of a licence‑area plan under the Broadcasting Services Act: it declares which radio services will be available in a defined geographic area and prescribes technical transmitter parameters and coverage boundaries. It does not appear to expand the legislative purpose or add obligations beyond setting service availability and technical limits. The inclusion of a separate community licence for Bruce Rock and multiple low‑power relay transmitters is consistent with the usual objective of matching service availability to local population centres rather than indicating a growth in scope beyond the plan’s original statutory purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple schedules and 16+ attachments (Schedules One & Two; Attachments 1.1–1.14; 2.1–2.2) creating many cross‑references","Several categories of service with different legal regimes (commercial, community, national, open narrowcasting) and some marked N/A for licence numbers (Schedule One; Schedule Two)","Multiple transmitters per service with individual technical specifications (e.g. SL010008 has transmitters at Merredin, Beacon, Hyden, Kondinin, Narembeen, Southern Cross)","Detailed technical parameters per transmitter (frequency, band/mode, ERP/CMF, antenna height, polarisation, map grid coordinates) requiring engineering interpretation (Attachments 1.2–1.14; 2.2)","External cross‑reference to Technical Planning Guidelines for site tolerances (Attachments reference an external document)","Population and geographic definitions tied to Australian Bureau of Statistics census area codes (Attachments 1.1 and 2.1) — many line items increase review complexity","Conditional availability clause for the community licence (available immediately after Gazette notice) creates a procedural timing condition (Schedule Two)","Mixture of regulatory outcomes: some services see direct service‑licence allocation numbers while others do not, requiring readers to understand different regulatory treatments within the one plan"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanics)**\n\n- This determination by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) sets out which radio broadcasting services are to be available in the Merredin licence area of Western Australia, and it prescribes the technical parameters for the transmitters that will serve those areas (see opening Determination and Schedules).\n- It names the categories and counts of services for the Merredin area: four national services, two commercial services and two open-narrowcasting services for the Merredin licence area, plus one community radio service for Bruce Rock (Schedule One; Schedule Two).\n- For each listed service the plan gives either a service‑licence number (for commercial and community services) or notes that a licence number is not applicable (for national and open narrowcasting services), the number and identity of transmitters, and points to detailed technical specifications in attachments (Schedules; Attachments 1.2–1.14; 2.2).\n- The attachments specify the physical and technical limits each transmitter must meet: site location (map grid), carrier frequency, emission band and mode (e.g. MF‑AM or VHF‑FM), antenna height, polarisation, maximum effective radiated power (ERP) or carrier magnitude factor, and output radiation pattern (Attachments 1.2–1.14; 2.2).\n- The plan also defines the licence area boundaries in census‑area terms and lists population counts for the included localities (Attachment 1.1 and 2.1). The community service for Bruce Rock is declared available for allocation immediately after the plan is Gazette‑published (Determination; Schedule Two).\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Potential and incumbent broadcasters: commercial applicants and existing commercial operators for SL010003 and SL010008, community groups interested in SL010318 (Bruce Rock), and organisations operating national and open narrowcasting services.\n- Technical planners and engineers: those who design and install transmitters must comply with the transmitter specifications in the attachments.\n- Spectrum regulators and planners: the ABA (or successor regulator) and the frequency planning functions must enforce the allocations and technical limits to manage interference.\n- Local communities within the listed ABS census areas: these are the populations the plan targets for service delivery (Attachments 1.1 and 2.1).\n\n**Why it matters (purpose claim and practical effects)**\n\n- The ABA’s stated purpose is to make particular radio services available in a defined geographic area and to do so in a way that controls technical parameters to avoid interference (Determination; Schedules; Attachments). This establishes which frequencies, power levels and transmitter siting are permitted.\n- Effect on market entry and competition: by specifying available services and allocating service‑licence numbers for some categories, the plan creates opportunities (and limits) for commercial and community entrants. In practice, the plan: (a) reserves frequencies and transmitter parameters for national and open narrowcasting uses (no service licence number required), (b) allocates two commercial service licence numbers and one community licence number for Bruce Rock (Schedules; Attachments).\n- Financial and operational costs fall on licensees: broadcasters who obtain a commercial or community licence must fund transmitter construction, maintenance and operation to meet the specified technical standards (Attachments 1.2–1.14; 2.2). The government/regulator bears the administrative cost of allocation, monitoring and enforcement.\n\n**Trade‑offs, incentives and implementation risks**\n\n- Trade‑offs: reserving spectrum for national and open narrowcasting services reduces the pool of frequencies available to commercial entrants (Schedules). Conversely, specifying technical limits (ERP, antenna height, pattern) reduces interference risk but may limit a broadcaster’s coverage and hence commercial reach.\n- Incentives: existing holders of the listed service‑licence numbers or those awarded them have an incentive to deploy transmitters to the maximum permitted parameters to secure audience reach within the technical limits (Attachments provide the caps). Community groups get a clear, time‑limited opportunity to apply for the Bruce Rock community licence (Schedule Two).\n- Implementation risks and compliance burden: accurate siting and technical compliance (map grid coordinates; antenna heights; ERP) are required; failures create interference risks and potential enforcement action. The plan also cross‑references external Technical Planning Guidelines (site tolerances), so engineers must follow both the plan and the guidelines (Attachments). Monitoring and enforcement require regulator resources.\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes**\n\n- Who pays: licence holders and successful applicants pay capital and operating costs to meet transmitter specifications and run the service. The regulator bears administrative costs related to allocation and enforcement.\n- Who decides: the ABA (under the Broadcasting Services Act reference in the Determination) decides what services and technical parameters are declared available; subsequent licence allocation is subject to the Act and the ABA’s allocation processes (Determination; Schedules).\n- Behaviour changes: prospective broadcasters must design proposals that fit the declared frequencies and technical limits; community groups can apply for the Bruce Rock licence once gazetted; national and open narrowcasting operators will operate within the N/A licence framework but must meet specified transmitter parameters.\n\n**Practical implications for markets and speech**\n\n- For private enterprise: the plan shapes market structure by defining (a) how many commercial licences the area is intended to support and (b) the technical reach of each service. That influences competition, potential advertising markets and economies of scale for operators (Schedule One; Attachment 1.2–1.8).\n- For speech and local content: the designation of a community licence for Bruce Rock creates a formal entry point for locally focused public interest broadcasting; national and open narrowcasting allocations preserve room for broader national services and targeted content.\n\n(References: Determination opening text; Schedule One; Schedule Two; Attachments 1.1–1.14; Attachments 2.1–2.2.)"},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-merredin-radio-september-1996","history":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-merredin-radio-september-1996/history","analysis":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-merredin-radio-september-1996/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-merredin-radio-september-1996/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-merredin-radio-september-1996/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-merredin-radio-september-1996/documents"}}