{"id":"F2005B01210","name":"Licence Area Plan - Northam (Radio) - August 1996","slug":"licence-area-plan-northam-radio-august-1996","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":32491,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005B01210-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Licence Area Plan - Northam (Radio) - August 1996","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN\n\nNORTHAM\n\n(RADIO)\n\nAUGUST 1996\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN \\- NORTHAM\n\nDETERMINATION\n\nThe Australian Broadcasting Authority hereby makes this plan for broadcasting services in the Northam area of Western Australia, under subsection 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.\n\nFour national radio broadcasting, two commercial radio broadcasting services and one open narrowcasting radio broadcasting service are to be available in the Northam area 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 are set out in the Schedule One and Attachments 1.2 - 1.8 to this Determination.\n\nOne community radio broadcasting service 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 services that are to be available in the area described at Attachment 2.1 is set out in Schedule Two and Attachment 2.2 to this Determination.\n\nOne community radio broadcasting service is to be available in the area described at Attachment 3.1 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 3.1 is set out in Schedule Two and Attachment 3.2 to this Determination\n\n(Determined by the Australian Broadcasting Authority on 27 August 1996.)\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 (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 in the Schedules is an attachment to this determination).\n-   the general area served by each transmitter (column five).\n\nSCHEDULE ONE\n\nLicence Area Plan - Northam - (Radio) - August 1996\n\n| Category ofService | Service Licence No: | Transmitter Specification No: | TechnicalSpecifications | General Area Served by Transmitter |\n| ------------------ | ------------------- | ----------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------- |\n| National           | N/A                 | TS002342                      | See attachment 1.2      | Northam                            |\n| National           | N/A                 | TS000031                      | See attachment 1.3      | Central Agricultural               |\n| National           | N/A                 | TS000033                      | See attachment 1.4      | Central Agricultural               |\n| National           | N/A                 | TS000032                      | See attachment 1.5      | Central Agricultural               |\n| Commercial         | SL010385            | TS002341                      | See attachment 1.6      | Northam                            |\n| Commercial         | SL010045            | TS005399                      | See attachment 1.7      | Northam                            |\n| Open Narrowcasting | N/A                 | TS002224                      | See attachment 1.8      | Northam                            |\n\nSCHEDULE TWO\n\nLicence Area Plan - Northam - (Radio) - August 1996\n\n| Category ofService | Service Licence No: | Transmitter Specification No: | TechnicalSpecifications | General Area Served by Transmitter |\n| ------------------ | ------------------- | ----------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------- |\n| Community          | SL010085            | TS001871                      | See attachment 2.2      | Northam                            |\n\nSCHEDULE THREE\n\nLicence Area Plan - Northam - (Radio) - July 1996\n\n| Category ofService | Service Licence No: | Transmitter Specification No: | TechnicalSpecifications | General Area Served by Transmitter |\n| ------------------ | ------------------- | ----------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------- |\n| Community          | SL010349            | TS005358                      | See attachment 3.2      | York                               |\n\nAttachment 1.1\n\nLICENCE AREA FOR SERVICE LICENCE NUMBERS: SL010385 and SL010045  \nCOMMERCIAL RADIO NORTHAM 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| Beverley (S)        | 1431    |\n| Chittering (S)      | 1922    |\n| Cunderdin (S)       | 1384    |\n| Dowerin (S)         | 881     |\n| Goomalling (S)      | 108     |\n| Northam (T)         | 6546    |\n| Northam (S)         | 2886    |\n| Quairading (S)      | 1148    |\n| Tammin (S)          | 497     |\n| Toodyay (S)         | 2473    |\n| Victoria Plains (S) | 1096    |\n| Wongan-Ballidu (S)  | 1686    |\n| York (S)            | 2506    |\n|                     |         |\n| Total Persons       | 25539   |\n\nNote:\n\nStandard terminology used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:\n\n(S) = Shire  \n(T) = Town\n\n  \nAttachment 1.2\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Northam\n\nCategory : National\n\nGeneral Area Served : Northam (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS002342\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : NORTHAM\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 469700 6496900\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 1215 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 0°        | 212 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 : Northam\n\nCategory : National\n\nGeneral Area Served : Central Agricultural (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS000031\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Mawson Trig\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 517800 6461100\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 98.1 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 155 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 80 kW       |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.4\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Northam\n\nCategory : National\n\nGeneral Area Served : Central Agricultural (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS000033\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Mawson Trig\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 517800 6461100\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 98.9 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 155 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 80 kW       |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.5\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Northam\n\nCategory : National\n\nGeneral Area Served : Central Agricultural (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS000032\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Mawson Trig\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 517800 6461100\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 99.7 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 155 m\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Maximum ERP |\n| --------------------------------------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 80 kW       |\n\n  \nAttachment 1.6\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Northam\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Northam (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL10385\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS002341\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : 7km SW of NORTHAM\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 463000 6495300\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 864 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 0°        | 424 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 1.7\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Northam\n\nCategory : Commercial\n\nGeneral Area Served : Northam (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL010045\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS005399\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : 7km SW of NORTHAM\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 463000 6495300\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 96.5 MHz\n\nPolarisation Mixed\n\nMaximum antenna height 80 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 1.8\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Northam\n\nCategory : Open Narrowcasting\n\nGeneral Area Served : Northam (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : Not applicable\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS002224\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : NORTHAM\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 462900 6495500\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 1323 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 0°        | 370 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\nSpecial Conditions:-\n\nThis service is permitted to operate with a maximum cymomotive force (CMF) of 670 V, at all angles of azimuth, from one after local sunrise until one hour before local sunset.\n\n  \nAttachment 2.1\n\nLICENCE AREA FOR SERVICE LICENCE NUMBER: SL010085  \nCOMMUNITY RADIO, TOWN OF NORTHAM 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 041201     | 676     |\n| WA CD 041202     | 483     |\n| WA CD 041203     | 792     |\n| WA CD 041204     | 579     |\n| WA CD 041205     | 410     |\n| WA CD 041206     | 579     |\n| WA CD 041207     | 352     |\n| WA CD 041208     | 835     |\n| WA CD 041209     | 112     |\n| WA CD 041210     | 694     |\n| WA CD 041211     | 597     |\n| WA CD 041212     | 437     |\n|                  |         |\n| Total Persons    | 6546    |\n\nNote:\n\nStandard terminology used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:\n\n(S) \\= Shire  \n(C) \\= City\n\n  \nAttachment 2.2\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Northam\n\nCategory : Community\n\nGeneral Area Served : Northam (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL010085\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - AM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS001871\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : NORTHAM\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 462900 6495500\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode MF-AM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 954 kHz\n\nOutput Radiation Pattern :-\n\n| Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) | Elevation | Maximum CMF |\n| --------------------------------------- | --------- | ----------- |\n| At all angles of azimuth                | 0 °       | 212 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 3.1\n\nLICENCE AREA FOR SERVICE LICENCE NUMBER: SL010349  \nCOMMUNITY RADIO, YORK 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 041601     | 167     |\n| WA CD 041602     | 330     |\n| WA CD 041603     | 177     |\n| WA CD 041604     | 351     |\n| WA CD 041605     | 245     |\n| WA CD 041606     | 274     |\n| WA CD 041607     | 689     |\n| WA CD 041608     | 273     |\n|                  |         |\n| Total Persons    | 2506    |\n\nNote:\n\nStandard terminology used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:\n\n(CD) \\= Collection District  \n\n  \nAttachment 3.2\n\nLICENCE AREA PLAN : Northam\n\nCategory : Community\n\nGeneral Area Served : York (WA)\n\nService Licence Number : SL010349\n\nTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - FM Radio\n\nSpecification Number : TS005358\n\nTransmitter Site :-\n\nNominal location : Mt Bakewell\n\nAustralian Map Grid : Zone Easting Northing  \nReference 50 477300 6475800\n\nSite Tolerance : Refer to Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nEmission :-\n\nFrequency Band & Mode VHF-FM\n\nCarrier Frequency : 101.3 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                | 100 W       |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a straightforward technical planning instrument made under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. It serves its original purpose of planning radio services for a specific geographic area without expanding into broader regulatory matters."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-referenced schedules and attachments (3 schedules, 8 attachments)","Technical specifications require external knowledge (Australian Map Grid references, CMF measurements, ERP calculations)","References to external documents ('Technical Planning Guidelines') not included in the text","Mix of service categories with different regulatory requirements (National, Commercial, Community, Open Narrowcasting)","Population data tied to specific 1991 Census Collection Districts that may not match current boundaries","Inconsistent dating (Schedule Three header says 'July 1996' while document is dated August 1996)"],"plain_english_summary":"This document is a **Licence Area Plan** made by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (now the Australian Communications and Media Authority) in August 1996. It sets out the rules for radio broadcasting in the Northam area of Western Australia.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Plans radio services**: It determines how many radio services can operate in the Northam area and what type they can be (national, commercial, community, or narrowcasting).\n- **Allocates frequencies**: It assigns specific radio frequencies (like 96.5 FM or 1215 AM) to each service.\n- **Sets technical specs**: It specifies exactly where transmitters must be located, how powerful they can be, and what areas they must cover.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Broadcasters**: Any company or community group wanting to run a radio station in Northam must follow this plan.\n- **Listeners**: Residents of Northam and surrounding areas (including York, Beverley, Toodyay, and other shires) who receive these radio services.\n\n**The services planned:**\n- **4 national radio services** (ABC stations - no licence needed)\n- **2 commercial radio stations** (private, advertising-funded)\n- **1 open narrowcasting service** (specialised programming, limited coverage)\n- **2 community radio services** (one for Northam town, one for York)\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis plan prevents radio stations from interfering with each other by ensuring they use different frequencies and power levels. It also guarantees that different types of broadcasting (public, commercial, community) are available to local residents. Without this plan, multiple stations could try to use the same frequency, causing chaos on the airwaves.\n\n**Key technical details included:**\n- Exact transmitter locations (using map grid references)\n- Frequency allocations (e.g., 98.1 MHz, 864 kHz)\n- Power limits (measured in kilowatts, watts, or volts)\n- Coverage areas defined by census districts from 1991"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Licence Area Plan stays within the statutory function described in subsection 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992: it allocates radio services, frequencies and technical envelopes for a named licence area. It does not broaden the legislative purpose beyond allocating service categories, technical specifications and geographic licence boundaries. The only substantive additions are operational details (e.g. a daytime CMF exception for one open narrowcasting transmitter and precise ABS‑based licence area definitions), which are implementation details rather than a change of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple parts: Determination, three Schedules, and 11 Attachments (1.1–1.8, 2.1–2.2, 3.1–3.2)","Numerous technical parameters per transmitter (frequency, antenna height, ERP or CMF, radiation pattern, exact map grid coordinates)","Different measurement units and concepts used for AM (CMF) and FM (ERP) requiring technical interpretation","Cross‑references to external Technical Planning Guidelines for site tolerances","Several service categories (national, commercial, community, open narrowcasting) with differing licensing rules (service licences applicable only to commercial and community)","Special conditions for at least one transmitter (daytime higher CMF for open narrowcasting) creating an exception to the base specification","Population and geographic definitions tied to 1991 ABS census areas and collection districts (requires matching to geographic datasets for practical use)","Minor inconsistencies/typos in licence numbering format (e.g. SL010385 shown once as SL10385) increase interpretation work"],"plain_english_summary":"This Licence Area Plan, made by the Australian Broadcasting Authority under s.26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, assigns specific radio services to the Northam (and York) areas and prescribes exact technical parameters (frequencies, transmitter sites, ERP/CMF, antenna heights and conditions).\n\nIt affects commercial, community and open‑narrowcasting broadcasters, technical planners and potential entrants by locking spectrum and coverage footprints to named licences—ensuring service availability and managing interference but constraining where and who can operate and imposing capital and compliance costs."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-northam-radio-august-1996","history":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-northam-radio-august-1996/history","analysis":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-northam-radio-august-1996/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-northam-radio-august-1996/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-northam-radio-august-1996/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/licence-area-plan-northam-radio-august-1996/documents"}}