27Application date for implementation plans

27 Application date for implementation plans

(1) the ACMA must identify a date on or before which a holder must apply for approval of an implementation plan for a licence area (the application date).

(2) The application date for a licence area must be:

(a) before the start of the simulcast period for the area; and

(b) after the ACMA has made a digital channel plan for any part of the area.

Note The simulcast period for each metropolitan licence area starts on 1 January 2001. The simulcast period for a regional licence area is set by the ACMA under section 48 of this Scheme.

(3) the ACMA must consult with all holders for the licence area about an appropriate application date for the area and may consult with other persons.

(4) the ACMA must advise each holder for the area of the application date as soon as practicable after it is identified.

(5) If, after identifying an application date for a licence area, the ACMA approves a proposal for a holder for the area to submit a series of implementation plans for the area:

(a) the holder is not required to submit a plan in the series on or before the application date; and

(b) the ACMA must identify another date which is the day on or before which a holder for the area must apply for approval of the first implementation plan in the series.

A holder might intend to submit a single implementation plan for a whole area on or before the application date but then decide it would be more efficient to submit a series of plans.

(6) A date identified under paragraph (5) (b) must be before the start of the simulcast period for the area.

Note The simulcast period for each metropolitan licence area starts on 1 January 2001. The simulcast period for a regional licence area is set by the ACMA under section 48 of this Scheme.

(7) the ACMA must consult with all holders for the licence area about an appropriate date to be identified under paragraph 5 (b) and may consult with other persons.

(8) the ACMA must advise each holder for the licence area of a date identified under paragraph (5) (b) as soon as practicable after it is identified.