STARTING UP A COMMUNITY RADIO STATION

Gather together a small group of enthusiasts

Plan and publicise a series of public meetings

Form a steering committee

Incorporate your Association (contact the Ministry of Fair Trading for details)

Talk to the ACMA's Radio Planning division about your intentions

Contact your local mayor / town clerk / shire office, as well as community groups, to garner support

Raise community and local business awareness through promotions and publicity

Recruit volunteer administrators, technicians, presenters, producers and community access groups

Form sub-committees to handle technical issues, station operation, administration, training, promotions, programming and fundraising.

Begin an intensive fundraising campaign

Hold your first Annual General Meeting and elect an official Committee of Management

Determine your target audience’s geographical location

Consult with a transmitter and antenna installation specialist

Seek suitable transmitter site and studio premises

Source equipment

Organise appropriate insurance cover (Public Liability Insurance, Property Insurance, Defamation Insurance - also consider Personal Accident Insurance for Volunteers, and Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance)

Purchase and install transmitter, antenna, link, and associated equipment

Soundproof and soundtreat your studio space and install studio equipment

Ascertain your community's programming requirements

Formulate programming and produce a provisional program guide

Develop and schedule training programs

Determine sponsorship rates

Apply for a test community broadcasting licence (contact the Australian Communication & Media Authority's Licencing section)

Apply for PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia), AMCOS (Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society), and APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) licences.

Decide how many hours of programming you can manage during your test broadcast period

Develop a test broadcasting schedule

Commence test transmissions

Analyse problems and find ways of overcoming them

Apply to ACMA for a Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence (TCBL)

Begin broadcasting to your community

Apply for a Permanent Community Broadcasting Licence (PCBL) at the ACMA's invitation