The Australian Communications and Media Authority has allocated temporary community broadcasting licences in Young NSW, to Lambing Flat Community Broadcasting Inc and Young District Arts Council Inc. The services will be provided on the 92.3 MHz frequency.

As the two groups were unable to negotiate a timeshare arrangement, ACMA has decided that each group will have equal access to broadcasting time on the 92.3 MHz frequency. Lambing Flat Community Broadcasting Inc will broadcast continuously from 1 July 2008 until 3 January 2009, followed by Young District Arts Council Inc. broadcasting continuously from 4 January 2009 until 30 June 2009. Both groups will represent the general community of Young.



ACMA’s strong preference is for community broadcasting groups to negotiate their own frequency timesharing arrangements,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ‘Unfortunately, Lambing Flat Community Broadcasting and Young District Arts Council were unable to do so, requiring ACMA to determine the timeshare arrangement in this case.’

To assist community broadcasting groups, ACMA has developed guidelines for sharing broadcasting time. While priority is generally given to experienced broadcasters, there is an exception where a temporary community broadcaster has unsuccessfully applied for a long-term community licence.

Lambing Flat Community Broadcasting Inc was unsuccessful in its application for a long-term community broadcasting licence for Young in 2007.

‘There is a strong incentive for Lambing Flat Community Broadcasting to use the next six months as a temporary community broadcaster to demonstrate to ACMA that it merits consideration for a long-term licence should one be made available in the future,’ Mr Chapman said. ‘However, ACMA has no immediate plans to look again at allocating a long-term community broadcasting licence for Young.’

Young District Arts Council is a new aspirant community broadcaster which will now have the opportunity to develop the range of operational, programming and other skills necessary to successfully operate a community broadcasting service and to build community support for their service.