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Queensland—Brisbane switchover areaSwitchover window 1 January – 30 June 2013DECEMBER 2012

This switchover area report was prepared by the ACMA and provided to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) approximately 12 months prior to the end of the identified switchover window for this area. The early provision of switchover area reports to DBCDE allows an appropriate amount of time for discussions between the government and broadcasters to address any identified issues prior to the switch-off of analog television services. This report does not account for any subsequent government policy decisions or changes in broadcasting infrastructure or programming since that time. For up-to-date information on the switch to digital television, visit the DBCDE Are you READY for digital TV website.

http://www.digitalready.gov.au/

CanberraPurple Building Benjamin OfficesChan Street Belconnen ACT

PO Box 78Belconnen ACT 2616

T +61 2 6219 5555F +61 2 6219 5353

MelbourneLevel 44 Melbourne Central Tower360 Elizabeth Street Melbourne VIC

PO Box 13112Law Courts Melbourne VIC 8010

T +61 3 9963 6800F +61 3 9963 6899

SydneyLevel 5 The Bay Centre65 Pirrama Road Pyrmont NSW

PO Box Q500Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230

T +61 2 9334 7700 1800 226 667F +61 2 9334 7799

© Commonwealth of Australia 2012This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Manager, Editorial Services, Australian Communications and Media Authority, PO Box 13112 Law Courts, Melbourne Vic 8010.

Published by the Australian Communications and Media Authority

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Contents

Coverage evaluation matrix 4

Executive summary 5

Brisbane switchover area 7

Coverage evaluation 11The ACMA’s CEP methodology 11Digital channel plans 11Implementation plans 12Survey planning 12Field survey measurement program 12Same coverage 13Signal-deficient areas 13Fortuitous reception issues 14Single frequency networks reception issues 15Conclusion 15

Appendix A 17Brisbane switchover area 17

Appendix B 18Transmission sites in the Brisbane switchover area 18

Appendix C 19Remote licence areas overlapping the Brisbane switchover area 19

Appendix D 20Switchover areas adjacent to the Brisbane switchover area 20

Appendix E 21Measurement locations in the Brisbane switchover area 21

Appendix F 22Urban centre/locality-specific results for the Brisbane switchover area 22

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Coverage evaluation matrixThe following table references typical terms used in this report as a description of digital coverage and reception. As these terms have specific technical and engineering definitions, the table has been prepared to provide the reader with a reference point.

Category Coveragedescription

Affected services

EvaluationDescription of issueField

strengthReception

quality

No issues

Strong

All

Suburban + 12 dB

Above threshold n/a

Very good Suburban + 6 dB

Above threshold n/a

Good Suburban Above threshold n/a

Potential minor issues

Adequate

At least one below suburban threshold

Rural Above threshold

While adequate coverage should provide good signal reception over an area, some statistical signal variations could potentially cause occasional reception difficulties.The rural notional receiving system with 10 m antenna height* may be required in some areas to avoid digital reception issues.

*As defined in the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook, the ABA, 2005.

Issues

Poor

At least one below

rural threshold

Below rural Below threshold

Isolated^—affects less than approximately 5% of the populated areaPatchy^—affects between approximately 5% and 25% of the populated area

No coverage All

Widespread^—affects more than approximately 25% of the populated area^Please note that this percentage figure should not be used to calculate the percentage of affected population.

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Executive summaryThe Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) performed field survey measurements as part of its Coverage Evaluation Program (CEP) across the Brisbane switchover area between August 2011 and February 2012. The Brisbane switchover area contains several population centres including the Brisbane metropolitan area, the Brisbane hinterland1, and the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast areas. Based on the available information and the evidence gathered through prediction modelling and survey measurements, all planned digital services in the switchover area that have been rolled out are, in general, achieving the same level of coverage and potential reception quality in digital mode as is provided by existing analog television services (referred to as the ‘same coverage policy objective’).2

While the ACMA has determined that broadcasters are generally achieving the same coverage policy objective, allowances for the different broadcast characteristics of analog and digital television signals must be considered and factored into the overall analysis. Some apparent discrepancies between analog and digital coverage for some services have been identified at Brooloo, Cooroibah, Fernvale, Imbil, Lower Beechmont, Lowood, Noosaville, Rifle Range, Sunshine Beach and Winya. This is due to localised terrain obstructions and/or because affected households lie on the fringe of planned coverage.

Within the Brisbane TV licence area there are several single frequency networks (SFN) in operation. An SFN is an established and commonly used broadcast method and, as the name suggests, is a network of transmitters that operate on a single channel (frequency).

While the SFN implementations across the Brisbane TV licence area are generally working well, some isolated locations have been identified with potential SFN reception issues. SFNs in the Brisbane switchover area will be reconfigured as part of the restack process and many of the identified potential reception issues are likely to be resolved. Some viewers in the identified areas are still likely to be impacted during the transition period following analog switch off, before the restack.The ACMA is working collaboratively with the relevant broadcasters and DBCDE in investigating possible options to improve the current network configurations and minimise the impact to viewers during this transition period.

Overall the ACMA has determined that the vast majority of the localities have adequate to strong signal coverage, and licensed broadcasters in the switchover area are in general meeting their coverage obligations. It is likely that a number of households in marginal or signal-deficient areas will experience poor analog and digital television reception. The areas identified by the ACMA in the Brisbane switchover area where viewers could potentially experience reception problems are listed in Appendix F.

The ACMA has received and approved Implementation Plans (IPs) for the planned commercial services listed in the digital channel plans (DCPs) for this switchover area. The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital economy has approved all IPs for the national services (ABC and SBS). According to the ACMA’s records, all planned national services and commercial services have been rolled out in the switchover area.

1 Hinterland localities are the townships outside the greater metropolitan area, however within the metropolitan licence area.2 The same coverage policy objective as outlined in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 states that as soon as is practicable after the commencement of the required analog/digital television simulcast period in an area, broadcasters must provide the same level of coverage in digital mode as is provided by existing corresponding analog television services.

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On 11 May 2010, the Government announced that broadcasters will convert a substantial number of existing self-help retransmission facilities to digital as well as establish a number of new ‘gap filler’ sites that will provide terrestrial television coverage to a number of areas. Eight retransmission sites currently operate in the Brisbane switchover area, with broadcasters considering five of these sites for conversion from analog to digital. The gap filler and self-help retransmission sites are not planned in the DCPs and broadcasters are not legislatively obliged to submit IPs or roll out the services at any given point in time. Until a finalised list of self-help conversions and gap filler installations is officially advised, this information should be considered as indicative only. It is possible that areas served by analog self-help facilities that are not converted to digital will become signal-deficient after the analog switch-off.

The exising analog ABC only transmission site at Moore is unlikely to be converted to digital as alternative digital coverage of this service may be available from the proposed Brisbane north-west gap filler site or the broadcaster can decide to apply for the roll out exemption.

Households situated in digital terrestrial television signal-deficient areas, areas with reception issues and remote licence area will have access to the VAST service in line with applicable satellite access arrangements.

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Brisbane switchover areaThe Brisbane switchover area (refer to Appendix A) is located in the Brisbane TV1 licence area and encompasses Brisbane and most of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast areas in the south-east part of Queensland. The switchover area is split into the local content areas of Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast accordingly. The switchover area overlaps the Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV1 and TV2 licence areas (refer to Appendix C).

The area covers approximately 29,880 square kilometres and, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census data, has an estimated population of 2,638,822. For the purposes of the ACMA’s coverage assessments, a total of 122 urban centres/localities were identified within the Brisbane TV1 licence area.3

The Brisbane switchover area is served by five main transmitters, 11 broadcaster-owned and -operated translator sites and eight self-help analog retransmission transmitters (refer to Appendix B). An additional four digital gap filler facilities, Brisbane north-west, Brisbane south-east, Perigian Beach and Point Arkwright are being considered for implementation by broadcasters.

Tables 1 to 3 outline all existing sites in the switchover area and provide a summary of services. A/D indicates analog or digital transmission, letters designate the service call sign of the broadcaster, numbers designate the radiofrequency channel number, $ indicates retransmission service and V/H indicates signal polarisation. Some transmitters have have two sets of channels, met indicates metropolitan services and reg indicates regional services.

Table 1 Broadcaster-owned and -operated sites

Area served ABC SBS Net 7 Net 9 Net 10Broadcaster converted services— DCP planned, IP approved, same coverage objective;

*Alternative digital coverage of the service is provided from other site(s) or broadcaster to apply for roll out exemption

Brisbane(Main transmitter) A:ABC2 H

D:ABC12 H

A:SBS28 H

D:SBS36 H

Seven

A:BTQ7 H

D:BTQ6 H

Nine

A:QTQ9 H

D:QTQ8 H

Ten

A:TVQ10 H

D:TVQ11 H

Gold Coast—met(Main transmitter) A:ABC49 H

D:ABC62 H

A:SBS61 H

D:SBS36 H

Seven

A:BTQ52 H

D:BTQ53 H

Nine

A:QTQ58 H

D:QTQ59 H

Ten

A:TVQ46 H

D:TVQ56 H

Gold Coast—reg(Main transmitter) A:ABC49 H

D:ABC62 H

A:SBS61 H

D:SBS36 H

Prime

A: NEN64 H

D: NEN65 H

NBN

A: NBN67 H

D: NBN68 H

SCM

A: NRN55 H

D: NRN43 H

Sunshine Coast North—reg(Main transmitter)

A:ABC40 H

D:ABC62 H

A:SBS34 H

D:SBS36 H

Seven

A:STQ43 H

D:STQ65 H

WIN

A:RTQ49 H

D:RTQ68 H

SCM

A:TNQ46 H

D:TNQ47 H

3 In broad terms, an urban centre is a population cluster of 1,000 or more people, while a locality is a population cluster of between 200 and 999 people. This geographical structure is defined by the 1996 Census edition of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification.

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Sunshine Coast South—met(Main transmitter) D:ABC39 H D:SBS35 H

Seven

A:BTQ52 H

D:BTQ53 H

Nine

A:QTQ37 H

D:QTQ59 H

Ten

A:TVQ57 H

D:TVQ56 H

BoonahA:ABC57 V

D:ABC42 V

A:SBS54 V

D:SBS39 V

Seven

A:BTQ66 V

D:BTQ51 V

Nine

A:QTQ60 V

D:QTQ45 V

Ten

A:TVQ63 V

D:TVQ48 V

Currumbin—metA:ABC33 V

D:ABC62 V

A:SBS48 V

D:SBS36 V

Seven

A:BTQ39 V

D:BTQ53 V

Nine

A:QTQ45 V

D:QTQ59 V

Ten

A:TVQ30 V

D:TVQ56 V

Currumbin—regA:ABC33 V

D:ABC62 V

A:SBS48 V

D:SBS36 V

Seven

A:NEN51 V

D:NEN65 V

NBN

A:NBN54 V

D:NBN68 V

SCM

A:NRN42 V

D:NRN43 V

EskA:ABC55 V

D:ABC39 V

A:SBS52 V

D:SBS51 V

Seven

A:BTQ61 V

D:BTQ45 V

Nine

A:QTQ58 V

D:QTQ42 V

Ten

A:TVQ64 V

D:TVQ48 V

Gold Coast Southern Hinterland—met

D:ABC62 H D:SBS36 H

Seven

D:BTQ53 H

Nine

D:QTQ59 H

Ten

D:TVQ56 H

Gold Coast Southern Hinterland—reg

D:ABC62 H D:SBS36 H

Prime

D: NEN65 H

NBN

D: NBN68 H

SCM

D: NRN43 H

GympieA:ABC45 H

D:ABC62 H

A:SBS42 H

D:SBS36 H

Seven

A:STQ60 H

D:STQ65 H

WIN

A:RTQ51 H

D:RTQ68 H

SCM

A:TNQ48 H

D:TNQ47 H

Gympie TownA:ABC57 H

D:ABC62 H

A:SBS50 H

D:SBS36 H

Seven

A:STQ69 H

D:STQ65 H

WIN

A:RTQ66 H

D:RTQ68 H

SCM

A:TNQ63 H

D:TNQ47 H

NambourA:ABC58 H

D:ABC62 H

A:SBS55 H

D:SBS36 H

Seven

A:STQ61 H

D:STQ65 H

WIN

A:RTQ67 H

D:RTQ68 H

SCM

A:TNQ64 H

D:TNQ47 H

Noosa/TewantinA:ABC32 V

D:ABC62 V

A:SBS29 V

D:SBS36 V

Seven

A:STQ35 V

D:STQ65 V

WIN

A:RTQ44 V

D:RTQ68 V

SCM

A:TNQ41 V

D:TNQ47 V

MooreA:ABC33 V

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Table 2 Self-help retransmission sites

Area served ABC SBS Net 7 Net 9 Net 10

Community-funded analog—digital not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement.

($ indicates retransmission service)Canungra

A:ABC60$ HD:ABC29$ H

A:SBS57$ HD:SBS33$ H

SevenA:BTQ63$ HD:BTQ30$ H

NineA:QTQ66$ HD:QTQ31$ H

TenA:TVQ69$ HD:TVQ32$ H

ConondaleA:ABC57$ V A:SBS54$ V

SevenA:STQ39$ V

WINA:RTQ66$ V

SCMA:TNQ63$ V

KooralbynA:ABC56$ VD:ABC29$ V

A:SBS59$ VD:SBS33$ V

SevenA:BTQ32$ VD:BTQ30$ V

NineA:QTQ35$ VD:QTQ31$ V

TenA:TVQ43$ VD:TVQ32$ V

MaroonA:ABC56$ HD:ABC47$ H

A:SBS59$ HD:SBS46$ H

SevenA:BTQ62$ HD:BTQ48$ H

NineA:QTQ65$ HD:QTQ49$ H

TenA:TVQ68$ HD:TVQ50$ H

Mount AlfordA:ABC55$ VD:ABC47$ V





RathdowneyA:ABC40$ VD:ABC29$ V





Somerset DamA:ABC60$ H A:SBS54$ H

SCMA:QQQ63$ H

ImparjaA:IMP66$ H

ToogoolawahA:ABC59$ H A:SBS56$ H

SevenA:BTQ65$ H

NineA:QTQ62$ H

TenA:TVQ68$ H

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Table 3 Gap filler sites

Area served ABC SBS Net 7 Net 9 Net 10

Broadcaster new services—digital not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement.

($ indicates retransmission service)Brisbane north-west

D:ABC41$ V D:SBS45$ VSevenD:BTQ42$ V

NineD:QTQ43$ V

TenD:TVQ44$ V

Brisbane south-eastD:ABC29$ V D:SBS33$ V

SevenD:BTQ30$ V

NineD:QTQ31$ V

TenD:TVQ32$ V

Peregian BeachD:ABC29$ V D:SBS33$ V

SevenD:STQ30$ V

WIND:RTQ31$ V

SCMD:TNQ32$ V

Point ArkwrightD:ABC29$ V D:SBS33$ V

SevenD:STQ30$ V

WIND:RTQ31$ V

SCMD:TNQ32$ V

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Coverage evaluationThe ACMA’s CEP methodology

Figure 1 Methodology for the ACMA’s CEP

Figure 1 outlines the multi-layered methodology for the ACMA’s CEP. This program assesses whether the same coverage objective has been met by relevant broadcasters in a particular switchover area.

The CEP also determines the boundaries of digital terrestrial coverage, identify areas of marginal or inconsistent digital terrestrial coverage, and verify the technical planning specifications and assumptions provided by broadcasters in their implementation plans. In addition, the program provides essential feedback on the accuracy of the ACMA’s initial desktop modelling.

Digital channel plansTo facilitate the introduction of digital television, the ACMA developed national and commercial DCPs in line with the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook and its obligations under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA). DCPs determine which channels are to be allotted to each area, the assignment of channels to each broadcaster in that area and the technical characteristics of those channels.

DCPs are developed to give broadcasters the maximum envelope in which to plan their digital transmission coverage for an area to achieve the policy objective of the same coverage and potential reception quality as is available in analog mode. The National and Commercial DCPs for Queensland: Part 1—Brisbane and Toowoomba were finalised in July 1999 and renamed by variation in September 2000 to Queensland: Part 1—Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Subsequent

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variations were made in August 2003 and December 2004 to alter existing services and include additional services.

Implementation plansIn accordance with the national and commercial television conversion schemes prepared by the ACMA under Schedule 4 to the BSA, commercial and national television broadcasters are required to prepare IPs relating to the conversion of the transmission of their services from analog to digital mode. IPs are a commitment by individual broadcasters to provide a television service in digital mode from specified sites to cover defined areas by specified dates. The aim is to achieve the same coverage in standard definition television digital mode as that service provides in analog mode. This objective is to be achieved as soon as is practicable after the simulcast period begins.4

The ACMA has received and approved IPs for the planned commercial services listed in the DCPs for this switchover area. The minister has approved all IPs for the national services (ABC and SBS).

As previously outlined, broadcasters are considering the conversion of an existing analog self-help site to digital as well as the implementation of five new digital gap filler services. These services are not planned in the DCPs and so there is no obligation for broadcasters to submit IPs to the ACMA or roll out services at any particular point in time.

Survey planning As part of its methodology for assessing same coverage and potential reception quality, the ACMA undertakes desktop coverage modelling of a switchover area. This takes into account terrain, complaints to the ACMA from viewers within the area and, where possible, technical specifications of transmission facilities as outlined in IPs provided by broadcasters.

At the time of writing, a total of nine ministerial enquiries and 112 complaints had been initiated in the Brisbane switchover area. The issues concerned both analog and digital reception. In addition, a total of 848 ‘Out of Area Direct to Home’ satellite applications were approved within the licence area.5

The findings of the desktop modelling process inform the ACMA field survey measurement program. The Brisbane switchover area survey planning guided the ACMA’s field staff on where field measurements within the switchover market should be conducted. This includes predicted or potential reception-deficient areas and other information on transmission facilities in the area.

Field survey measurement programThe field survey measurement program enables the ACMA to acquire technical and signal data associated with analog and digital TV coverage and reception quality within a switchover area. The program is part of the ACMA’s CEP (Figure 1) and seeks to verify the information provided by broadcasters in their IPs as well as the predictions made as part of the ACMA’s initial desktop modelling.

4 A period in which a broadcaster is required to simultaneously transmit television services in analog and standard definition TV digital mode.5 A satellite system enabling the delivery of national and commercial analog television services to households within a commercial terrestrial licence area that experience poor or no coverage of local free-to-air commercial television.

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The ACMA’s CEP performed field survey measurements at 948 locations throughout the switchover area between August 2011 and February 2012 (see Appendix E and Appendix F). The measurement results have been analysed and compared against the most appropriate coverage prediction models for the area. Field survey results align closely with predicted coverage findings and provide the ACMA with a high level of confidence in its CEP methodologies.

Same coveragePolicy objectives under Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 4 to the BSA state that national and commercial broadcasters must, as soon as practicable after the start of the simulcast period, provide the same level of coverage and potential reception quality in digital mode as is broadcast in analog mode.

Based on the results of the CEP for this switchover area, the ACMA concludes that the same level of coverage and potential reception quality is in general being achieved by licensed broadcasters in the switchover area.

When analysing same coverage, a number of considerations and constraints must be factored into a broader assessment. These include:

> CEP measurement data> existing broadcasting infrastructure> specific propagation conditions> different analog and digital broadcasting characteristics.

There are areas identified within the switchover area that are considered generally signal-deficient and experience unreliable analog and digital coverage across all services. Any potential issues related to individual services to these areas are more accurately reported and effectively addressed as part of the wider signal-deficient nature of all services to these towns/localities (see Appendix F for breakdown of locality-specific results).

The CEP identified ten specific locations where some apparent discrepancies between analog and digital television coverage services were present. This discrepancy was for one or two services only and not apparent for all services as might be expected in localities with wider signal deficiencies. The following locations were noted (affected service in brackets)—Brooloo (ABC), Cooroibah (SBS and RTQ), Fernvale (QTQ), Imbil (ABC), Lower Beechmont (ABC), Lowood (SBS), Noosaville (SBS), Rifle Range (SBS), Sunshine Beach (ABC and SBS), and Winya (SBS). These issues are most likely caused by localised terrain obstructions and/or because affected households lie on the fringe of planned coverage.

While signal-deficient analog television or marginal area reception results in poor quality picture and sound that becomes increasingly ‘snowy’ and/or ‘noisy’, it is still possible, depending on the viewer’s expectations, to watch the broadcast. In contrast, signal-deficient digital television or marginal area reception causes a digital broadcast to freeze, pixilate or totally drop out, rendering the broadcast unwatchable. Households located in marginal reception areas are likely to experience this issue.

Signal-deficient areasWhile the ACMA has determined that the vast majority of the localities have adequate to strong signal coverage, and licensed broadcasters in the switchover area are in general meeting their coverage obligations, it is likely that a number of households in marginal or signal-deficient areas will experience poor analog and digital television reception. The CEP identified 29 localities in the Brisbane metropolitan area which may be susceptible to signal deficiency and coverage issues—primarily as a result of

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local terrain or the suburban environment and infrastructure. The Brisbane Hinterland area identified 15 localities with potential widespread reception issues. There were 13 localities identified with patchy reception issues.

The majority of Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast locations were assessed as having adequate to strong signal coverage, but there were some areas that were noted as potentially exposed to coverage and signal deficiencies. The CEP cited 15 such locations for the Gold Coast. The Sunshine Coast had nine locations with potential widespread reception issues and 14 locations were identified with patchy reception issues.

On 11 May 2010, the government announced that under an agreement reached with all television broadcasters across Australia, broadcasters will upgrade a substantial number of existing regional and metropolitan analog self-help retransmission facilities/services to operate in digital, while the government will fund the VAST satellite service. Broadcasters are also implementing a number of new digital gap filler sites/services to provide terrestrial television coverage to nominated areas. This would enable all television viewers in Australia to have access to the full range of free-to-air digital television services.

Eight analog self-help retransmission sites currently operate in the Brisbane switchover area— Canungra, Conondale, Kooralbyn, Maroon, Mount Alford, Rathdowney, Somerset Dam, and Toogoolawah. Broadcasters are considering five of these sites— Canungra, Kooralbyn, Maroon, Mount Alford and Rathdowney for conversion from analog to digital. There are no services listed for conversion at the Conondale, Somerset Dam, and Toogoolawah sites. Broadcasters are also currently considering four digital gap filler sites to extend or improve digital channels for both commercial and national channels. These are located at Brisbane north–west (Gregors Creek), Brisbane south–east (Wolffdene), Mapleton, Perigian Beach and Point Arkwright.

The gap filler and self-help retransmission sites are not planned in the DCPs and broadcasters are not legislatively obliged to submit IPs or roll out the services at any given point in time. Until a finalised list of self-help conversions and gap filler installations is officially advised, this information should be considered as indicative only. It is possible that areas served by analog self-help facilities that are not converted to digital will become signal-deficient after the analog switch-off.

Fortuitous reception issuesThe BSA mandates that broadcasting services be licensed and planned to serve specific geographic areas. In some circumstances it is possible, through CEP operational observations, for the ACMA to determine that households are receiving, or attempting to receive, television broadcast services that are not planned to serve their area. This form of reception is considered fortuitous. It is possible that households receiving fortuitous broadcast signals may experience reception difficulties before and/or after analog switch-off as the reception of distant weak television signals outside the planned service area will be generally unreliable and potentially interfere with planned services. Fortuitous reception difficulties may also appear when analog switch-off occurs in adjacent switchover areas.

The ACMA did not identify any substantial issues related to fortuitous reception in this switchover area.

Although not classified as having fortuitous reception, the localities situated in the overlap of two licence areas are worth noting . These overlaps exist in the Sunshine Coast local content area between the Brisbane TV licence area and the Widebay local content area of the Regional Queensland TV licence area. A similar situation exists in

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the Gold Coast local content area between the Brisbane TV licence area and the Richmond/Tweed local content area of the northern NSW TV licence area. The audiences in these overlapping areas are entitled to watch both sets of contents where available.

Single frequency networks reception issuesWithin the Brisbane TV licence area there are several single frequency networks (SFN) in operation in the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast local content areas. An SFN is an established and commonly used broadcast method and, as the name suggests, is a network of transmitters which operate on a single channel (frequency). With multiple transmitters operating on the same frequency, there are challenges with timing of transmission, reception between transmitter sites, local terrain and correct antenna installation. The areas where television reception is impacted are referred to as SFN reception issues.

While the SFN implementations across the Brisbane TV licence area are generally working well, some locations have been identified with SFN reception issues. In particular, issues were identified near the Brisbane metropolitan area on the SBS service in patchy parts of Point Lookout (SBS36). SFN reception issues were also identified in the Gold Coast area including Lower Beechmont (ABC62, SBS36, BTQ53, QTQ59, TVQ56, NRN43, NBN68, and NEN65), Pacific Pines (ABC62, BTQ53, QTQ59, TVQ56, NRN43, NBN68, and NEN65), Parkwood (NRN43, and NEN65), and Springbrook (ABC62 and SBS36).

SFNs in the Brisbane switchover area will be reconfigured as part of the restack process and many of the identified potential reception issues are likely to be resolved. Some viewers in the identified areas are still likely to be impacted during the transition period following analog switch off, before the restack.

The ACMA is working collaboratively with the relevant broadcasters and DBCDE in investigating possible options to improve the current network configurations and minimise the impact to viewers during this transition period.

Correct antenna installation is essential for minimising SFN reception issues and television viewers in these areas are encouraged to consult an endorsed antenna installer.

ConclusionThe ACMA is confident that the Brisbane switchover is progressing in accordance with the digital television switchover timetable and that broadcasters have met their obligations for IP submissions, same coverage and service rollout. No major issues are currently present or foreseen that would impede the switch-off of analog television broadcast services in 2013. The ACMA will continue to liaise with relevant broadcasters and is confident that all services to this area will be successfully rolled out in accordance with planning guidelines and technical specifications before the end of the simulcast period.

In terms of television coverage from broadcaster-owned and -operated terrestrial transmission facilities, the ACMA has identified a number of areas that may experience reception issues. In consultation with broadcasters and industry representatives, the government is currently considering a number of options to provide alternative access to digital television.

Broadcasters are currently listing an existing analog self-help retransmission facility/service in this switchover area for conversion to digital to extend or improve reception in signal-deficient areas. Broadcasters are also considering the installation of

16 | acma

five new digital gap filler services in the switchover area to extend or improve digital television coverage to identified areas. Those households situated in digital signal-deficient areas may be able to apply to receive VAST satellite service in line with applicable access and subsidy arrangements.

DBCDE’s Digital Switchover Taskforce (DST) is responsible for overseeing Australia’s transition to digital television. The ACMA provides advice and consults widely with DST, broadcasters, industry representatives and the public to assist in facilitating an effective switch from analog to digital television.

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Appendix ABrisbane switchover area

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Appendix BTransmission sites in the Brisbane switchover area

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Appendix CRemote licence areas overlapping the Brisbane switchover area

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Appendix DSwitchover areas adjacent to the Brisbane switchover area

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Appendix EMeasurement locations in the Brisbane switchover area

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Appendix FUrban centre/locality-specific results for the Brisbane switchover area Urban centres/localities in Table 4 and Table 5 have been assessed based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling, field survey measurements and engineering analysis. Table 4 shows urban centre/localities for the Brisbane hinterland (includes the Sunshine Coast) while Table 5 shows localities within the Brisbane metropolitan area (includes the Gold Coast).

Table 4 Urban centre/locality assessments based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling, field survey measurements and engineering analysis within the Brisbane hinterland area (includes the Sunshine Coast).

Urban centre/locality

Pop. Assessment Comments

Urban centres/localities where no coverage and/or reception issues have been identifiedBellara (7 measurement locations)

7,735 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to good.

> No issue has been identified.

Camp Mountain and Draper (8 measurement locations)



Coochiemudlo Island (2 measurement locations)

404 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to good.

>No issue has been identified.

Dunwich (2 measurement locations)

485 >The Brisbane transmitter provides strong coverage.


Guanaba (3 measurement locations)

591 >The Gold Coast transmitter provides strong to good coverage.


Meldale (4 measurement locations)

246 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to good.


Meridian Plains and Bells Creek (2 measurement locations)

488 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter provide strong coverage.

>No issue has been identified.>This locality lies within the

overlapping local content areas of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Montville (5 measurement locations)

854 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides strong coverage.

>The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.


Ningi (3 measurement locations)



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Peachester (4 measurement locations)

1,083 >The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides strong coverage.

> The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to good.


Sippy Downs (3 measurement locations)

4,714 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to very good.


Steiglitz (2 measurement locations)

583 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to good.


Thagoona (2 measurement locations)

1,639 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to very good.


Toorbul (4 measurement locations)

912 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to good.


Valdora (3 measurement locations)

307 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to good.

>The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to good.


Whiteside (2 measurement locations)

658 >The Brisbane transmitter provides strong coverage.


Willowbank (2 measurement locations)

1,170 > The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to good.


Woorim (3 measurement locations)

1,639 > The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to good.


Wurtulla (5 measurement locations)

5,255 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to good.

>The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to good.

>No issue has been identified. >This locality lies within the

overlapping local content areas of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Urban centres/localities where minor service rollout, coverage and/or reception issues have been identifiedAmity Point (3 measurement locations)

408 >The Brisbane transmitter provides very good to adequate.

>While coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

24 | acma

Aratula (4 measurement locations)

386 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.


Beachmere (2 measurement locations)

1,245 >The Brisbane transmitter provides adequate coverage.


Beerburrum (2 measurement locations)

288 >The Brisbane transmitter provides adequate coverage.


Beerwah (7 measurement locations)

1,404 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to adequate.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to poor.

>The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.

>While the combined coverage from the Brisbane transmitter, the Sunshine Coast North transmitter, and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

>This locality lies within the overlapping local content areas of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Black Mountain (5 measurement locations)

1,044 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.

>While coverage from the Gympie transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

>It has been observed that some viewers are pointing their antennas towards the Noosa/Tewantin transmitter. The Gympie transmitter is likely to provide better coverage.

Bli Bli 927 >The Sunshine Coast North >While the combined coverage from

acma | 25

(5 measurement locations)

transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to poor.

>The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides no coverage.

the Sunshine Coast North transmitter, the Noosa/Tewantin transmitter, and the Nambour transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Boonah (6 measurement locations)

2,114 >The Boonah transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to poor.

>The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While the combination coverage from the Brisbane transmitter and the Boonah transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Buddina (9 measurement locations)

12,000 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to very good.

>The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to poor.


> While the combined coverage from the Sunshine Coast North transmitter and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

>It has been observed that some viewers are pointing their antennas towards the Nambour transmitter. The Sunshine Coast North transmitter and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter are likely to provide better coverage.


Castaways Beach (2 measurement locations)

617 >The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides adequate coverage.

>While coverage from the Noosa/Tewantin transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

26 | acma

Cedar Grove, Cedar Vale, and Jimboomba (6 measurement locations)

4,500 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.


Cootharaba (3 measurement locations)

692 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.


Donnybrook (3 measurement locations)



Esk (6 measurement locations)

1,518 >The Esk transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.

>While coverage from Esk transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Eumundi (5 measurement locations)

1,837 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Gympie transmitter and the Sunshine Coast North transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

acma | 27

Flaxton (5 measurement locations)

919 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

> While the combined coverage from the Sunshine Coast North transmitter, the Brisbane transmitter, and the Nambour transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Forest Glen (4 measurement locations)

596 >The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.

>While coverage from the Nambour transmitter or the Sunshine Coast North transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Gleneagle (3 measurement locations)

683 >The Brisbane transmitter provides adequate coverage.


Harrisville (3 measurement locations)



Landsborough (12 measurement locations)

3,030 >The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.


>While the combined coverage from the the Sunshine Coast North transmitter and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.


Mount Coolum and 4,441 >The Nambour transmitter > While coverage from the Nambour

28 | acma

Marcoola (2 measurement locations)

provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.

transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Mount Tamborine (2 measurement locations)

1,972 >The Gold Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.

>While coverage from the Gold Coast transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Mudjimba, Pacific Paradise and Twin Waters (2 measurement locations)

4,211 >The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to adequate.

>The Gympie transmitter provides adequate coverage.

>While coverage from the Nambour transmitter and the Gympie transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Ocean View (6 measurement locations)



Palmwoods (6 measurement locations)

3,576 >The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to poor.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Sunshine Coast North transmitter and the Nambour transmitter is generally good/at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

acma | 29

Palmview (5 measurement locations)

782 >The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.


>While the combined coverage from the Sunshine Coast North transmitter and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.


Pinbarren (5 measurement locations)

427 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.


Pomona (4 measurement locations)

1,000 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.


Rosewood (4 measurement locations)

1,966 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.


Southern Sunshine Coast (36 measurement locations)

38,000 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.


>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no

>While the combined coverage from the Brisbane transmitter, the Sunshine Coast North transmitter, and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter, and the Nambour transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.


30 | acma

coverage.Wamuran (7 measurement locations)

2,807 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to poor.

>The Sunshine Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Brisbane transmitter and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Weyba Downs (2 measurement locations)

691 >The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to adequate.

> While coverage from the Noosa/Tewantin transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

Urban centres/localities where coverage/reception issues have been identified

Isolated issue(s) (where approximately <5% of populated areas show coverage/reception issues)Coominya (4 measurement locations)


>While coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally good, isolated poor reception caused by obstructing forested areas has been identified.

Cooroibah (9 measurement locations)

670 > The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While combined coverage from the Noosa/Tewantin and the Gympie transmitters is generally adequate, isolated poor reception caused by local terrain obstructions and forest obstructions has been identified.

>Potential issues with SBS and RTQ services are more accurately reported and effectively addressed as part of the widespread signal deficiency issues with all services in the town, rather than as same coverage issues specific to individual services.

Glass House Mountain (14 measurement locations)

1,541 >The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Sunshine Coast North, the Sunshine Coast South and the Brisbane transmitters is generally good, isolated poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

acma | 31

Kalbar (7 measurement locations)

713 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to poor.

>While coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally adequate, isolated poor reception caused by obstructing forested areas has been identified.

Kenilworth (5 measurement locations)

524 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to poor.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides no coverage.

>While coverage from the Gympie transmitter is generally good, isolated poor reception caused by obstructing forested areas has been identified.

Kureelpa (5 measurement locations)

983 >The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>While coverage from the Nambour transmitter is generally strong, isolated areas of no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.

Marburg (5 measurement locations)

536 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to poor.

>While coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally adequate, isolated poor reception caused by obstructing forested areas has been identified.

Mooloolah Valley (10 measurement locations)

3,253 >The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to poor.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Sunshine Coast North and the Sunshine Coast South transmitters is generally good, isolated poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.


Nambour (21 measurement locations)

13,487 > The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to poor.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Nambour and the Sunshine Coast North transmitters is generally good, isolated poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Ninderry (7 measurement locations)

935 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Gympie and the Nambour transmitters is generally very good, isolated no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Sunshine Beach (13 measurement locations)

2,359 >The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.


>The Gympie transmitter

>While the combined coverage from the Gympie, Noosa/Tewantin and the Sunshine Coast North transmitters is generally good, isolated areas of no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.

>Potential issues with ABC and SBS services are more accurately

32 | acma

provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

reported and effectively addressed as part of the widespread signal deficiency issues with all services in the town, rather than as same coverage issues specific to individual services.

Tewantin (16 measurement locations)

10,000 >The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to poor.

>While coverage from the Noosa/Tewantin transmitter is generally good, isolated poor reception caused by obstructing forested areas has been identified.

Yandina (9 measurement locations)

1,075 >The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.


>While the combined coverage from the Nambour and the Gympie transmitters is generally adequate, isolated areas of poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.

Patchy issue(s) (where between approximately 5% and 25% of populated areas show coverage/ reception issues)Beaudesert (15 measurement locations)

5,383 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to poor coverage.

> While the Brisbane transmitter provides adequate coverage to most areas, isolated poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) and Nine (BTQ6) digital service in some patchy areas. This issue is likely caused by the ducting propagation effect of potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

Central Sunshine Coast (54 measurement locations)

56,000 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage from strong to no coverage.

> While the combined coverage from the Brisbane, Gympie, Nambour and the Sunshine Coast North transmitters is generally good, patchy poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

acma | 33

Coolum Beach, Point Arkwright, and Yaroomba (16 measurement locations)

7,800 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

> The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

> The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.


> While the combined coverage from the Sunshine Coast North, Noosa/Tewantin , Nambour and Gympie transmitters is generally good, patchy poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions and forest obstructions has been identified.

>Broadcasters are considering a gap filler site for this area.

Curramore / Witta (9 measurement locations)

1,351 >The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.


>The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast South, and Sunshine Coast North transmitters is generally adequate, patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) and Nine (BTQ6) digital service in some patchy areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

>Sunshine Coast South transmitter does not provide a full set of digital services (no ABC and SBS). These services are yet to be implemented and are expected to provide similar digital coverage as the measured digital services.

Dayboro (7 measurement locations)


>While coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally good, patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Doonan (6 measurement locations)

2,375 >The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>While the Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, patchy poor or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

34 | acma

Forest Acres (6 measurement locations)

408 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While the Gympie transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, patchy no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions and forest obstructions has been identified.

Gympie (25 measurement locations)

9,498 >The Gympie town translator provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>While coverage from the Gympie town translator is generally good, patchy poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Imbil (7 measurement locations)

800 >The Gympie translator provides coverage ranging from very good to poor.

>While the Gympie translator provides good coverage to some areas, patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions and forest obstructions has been identified.

>Potential issues with ABC services are more accurately reported and effectively addressed as part of the widespread signal deficiency issues with all services in the town, rather than as same coverage issues specific to individual services.

Kiles Mountain (7 measurement locations)

524 >The Nambour translator provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.


>While the combined coverage from the Nambour translator and the Sunshine Coast North transmitter is generally good, patchy no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Lower Beechmont (6 measurement locations)

941 >The Gold Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>The Currumbin transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Gold Coast and the Currumbin transmitters is generally good, reception difficulties have been identified on all digital services (SFN reception issue) in patchy areas. The ACMA will continue to monitor issues of this nature as they arise. Potential issues with ABC services are more accurately reported and effectively addressed as part of the widespread signal deficiency issues with all services in the town, rather than as same coverage issues specific to individual services.

>This locality lies within the Gold Coast local content area.

acma | 35

Lowood (5 measurement locations)

1,094 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from Strong to no coverage.

>While the coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally good, patchy poor and no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>Potential issues with SBS services are more accurately reported and effectively addressed as part of the widespread signal deficiency issues with all services in the town, rather than as same coverage issues specific to individual services.

Maleny (5 measurement locations)

1,294 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.


>The Sunshine Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Brisbane transmitter, the Sunshine Coast North transmitter, and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter, is generally adequate, patchy poor or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Mapleton (6 measurement locations)

788 >The Nambour translator provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While coverage from the Nambour translator is generally adequate, patchy no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Marcus Beach and Peregian Beach (7 measurement locations)

2,000 >The Noosa/Tewantin translator provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>While the combined coverage from the Noosa/Tewantin translator and Sunshine Coast transmitter is generally good, patchy areas of poor coverage and no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.

Mount Cotton (7 measurement locations)

3,140 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to poor.



36 | acma


Mount Samson (7 measurement locations)

721 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to poor.


Noosa Heads (12 measurement locations)

3,658 >The Noosa/Tewantin translator provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>While coverage from the Noosa/Tewantin translator is generally good, patchy no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.

Noosaville (8 measurement locations)

6,500 >The Noosa/Tewantin translator provides coverage range from very good to poor.

>While the Noosa/Tewantin translator provides good coverage to some areas, patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.


North Arm (4 measurement locations)

427 >The Nambour translator provides coverage ranging from adequate to poor.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to poor.

>While the Nambour translator and the Sunshine Coast North transmitter provide adequate combination coverage to some areas, patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

North Tamborine - Eagle Heights (9 measurement locations)

4,554 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>The Gold Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>While the Brisbane and Gold Coast transmitters provides strong combined coverage to some areas, patchy areas of poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.


Peak Crossing (4 measurement locations)

683 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to poor.

>While the Brisbane transmitter provides strong coverage to some areas, patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

acma | 37

Peregian Springs (5 measurement locations)

1,000 >The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to poor.

>While the Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides at least adequate coverage to some areas, patchy poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.


Point Lookout (7 measurement locations)

670 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>While the coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally very good, patchy areas of poor or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) and Nine (BTQ6) digital service in some patchy areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the SBS36d (SFN reception issue. This area will be monitored for eventual viewers’ complaints.

Rifle Range (5 measurement locations)

805 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>While the coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally good, patchy poor and no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.


>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) digital service in some isolated areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

Rosemount (6 measurement locations)

392 >The Nambour translator provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.

>The Gympie translator

>While the combined coverage from the Nambour translator, the Sunshine Coast North transmitter, and the Gympie translator is generally good, patchy no coverage

38 | acma

provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>The Sunshine Coast North transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.

Undullah (6 measurement locations)

2,869 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to poor.

>While coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally good, isolated poor UHF reception (SBS only) caused by obstructing forested areas has been identified.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) and Nine (BTQ6) digital service in some isolated areas. This issue is likely caused by the ducting propagation effect of potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

Woodford (7 measurement locations)



While the Sunshine Coast North transmitter and the Sunshine Coast South transmitter provide adequate combination coverage to some areas, patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Widespread Issue(s) (where between > 25% of populated areas show coverage/reception/limited services issues)Boreen Point (6 measurement locations)

280 >The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to no coverage.

>The Gympie transmitter provides no coverage.

>While the Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides good and adequate coverage to some areas, widespread no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>It has been observed that some viewers are pointing their antennas towards the Gympie transmitter. The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter is likely to provide better coverage.

Brooloo (2 measurement locations)

334 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>The Gympie transmitter does not provide reliable coverage due to local terrain obstructions.

>Potential issues with ABC services are more accurately reported and effectively addressed as part of the widespread signal deficiency issues with all services in the town, rather than as same coverage issues specific to individual services.

Canungra 1,172 >The Brisbane transmitter >While the Brisbane transmitter

acma | 39

(7 measurement locations)

transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to poor.

>The Gold Coast transmitter provides no coverage.

provides adequate coverage to some areas, widespread poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>The Canungra analog retransmission transmitter does not provide any digital service. However, a full set of digital services are presently on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion.

Conondale (3 measurement locations)

766 >The Brisbane transmitter provides no coverage.

>The Sunshine Coast south transmitter provides no coverage.

>Conondale lies outside the coverage of all digital transmitters.

>The Conondale retransmission transmitter does not provide any digital service, however all digital services are not presently on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion.

Cooran (5 measurement locations)

771 >The Gympie transmitter provides no coverage.

>The Wide Bay transmitter provides adequate to no coverage.

>The Gympie transmitter does not provide reliable coverage as the town is located at the coverage fringe.

> While the Wide Bay transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, widespread areas of poor coverage or no coverage exist due to the town being located at the coverage fringe.

Delaneys Creek and D’aguilar (11 measurement locations)

1,095 >The Sunshine Coast South transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to no coverage.


>The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>While the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast North, and Sunshine Coast South transmitters provide adequate coverage to some areas, widespread poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>Sunshine Coast South transmitter does not provide a full set of digital services (no ABC and SBS). These services are yet to be implemented and are expected to provide similar digital coverage as the measured digital services.

Fernvale (7 measurement locations)

284 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>The Brisbane transmitter does not provide reliable coverage due to local terrain obstructions.

>Potential issues with QTQ services are more accurately reported and effectively addressed as part of the widespread signal deficiency issues with all services in the town, rather than as same coverage issues

40 | acma

specific to individual services.Jacobs Well (3 measurement locations)

631 >The Brisbane transmitter provides poor coverage.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the BTQ6d digital service in widespread areas. The ACMA will continue to monitor issues of this nature as they arise.

Kandanga (6 measurement locations)

597 >The Gympie transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

> While the Gympie transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, widespread areas of no coverage or poor coverage exists due to the town being located at the coverage fringe.

Kin Kin (2 measurement locations)

547 >The Gympie transmitter provides no coverage.

>The Wide Bay transmitter provides no coverage.

>The Wide Bay and the Gympie transmitters do not provide reliable coverage as the town is located at the coverage fringe.

Kooralbyn (7 measurement locations)


>The Gold Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>While the Brisbane and the Gold Coast transmitters provide adequate combination coverage to some areas, widespread poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) and Nine (BTQ6) digital service in some widespread areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

>The Kooralbyn analog re-transmission transmitter does not provide any digital service. However a full set of digital services are presently on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion.

Lake Weyba (5 measurement locations)

418 >The Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While the Noosa/Tewantin transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, widespread poor reception caused by obstructing forested areas has been identified.


Macleay, Lamb, Karragarra, and Russell Islands (8 measurement locations)

3,600 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to poor.

>While coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is generally good, widespread poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions and forest obstructions has been identified.

acma | 41

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) digital service in isolated areas and Nine (BTQ6) digital service in patchy areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

Maroochy River (8 measurement locations)

1,623 >The Nambour transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While the Nambour transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, widespread no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Maroon (3 measurement locations)

<200 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>The Brisbane transmitter does not provide reliable coverage as the town is located at the coverage fringe.

>The Maroon retransmission site does not provide any digital service and is on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion.

Minden (6 measurement locations)

727 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While the Brisbane transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, widespread poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the BTQ6d and QTQ8d digital services in widespread areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

>Broadcasters are considering a gap filler site (Brisbane North West) for this area.

Mount Alford (2 measurement locations)

413 >The Brisbane transmitter provides poor coverage.


>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) and Nine (BTQ6) digital service in some widespread areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be

42 | acma

resolved.>The Mount Alford retransmission

transmitter does not provide any digital service, however a full set of digital services are presently on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion.

Mount Hallen (4 measurement locations)

721 >The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While the Brisbane transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, widespread poor coverage exists due to the town being located at the coverage fringe.

>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) and Nine (BTQ6) digital service in some widespread areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

Palen Creek (2 measurement locations)



>The Brisbane and the Gold Coast transmitters do not provide reliable coverage as the town is located at the coverage fringe.

Rathdowney (2 measurement locations)

404 >The Brisbane transmitter provides no coverage.

>The Gold Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>The Brisbane and the Gold Coast transmitters do not provide reliable coverage as the town is located at the coverage fringe.

>The Rathdowney retransmission site does not provide any digital service, however a full set of digital services are presently on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion.

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Springbrook (5 measurement locations)

670 >The Gold Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>The Currumbin transmitter provides coverage ranging from poor to no coverage.

>While the Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Southern Hinterland transmitters provide good combined coverage to some areas, widespread poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

> Reception difficulties have been identified with ABC62 and SBS36digital services (SFN reception issue) in widespread areas. The ACMA will continue to monitor issues of this nature as they arise.This locality lies within the Gold Coast local content area.

The Palms (4 measurement locations)

484 >The Gympie town transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>While the Gympie town transmitter provides adequate coverage to some areas, widespread areas of poor coverage and no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions have been identified.

Toogoolawah (5 measurement locations)



>The Toolgoolawah site does not provide any digital service and is not on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion.


Winya (7 measurement locations)


>The Brisbane transmitter does not provide reliable coverage as the town is located at the coverage fringe and local terrain obstructions.


>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Seven (QTQ8) digital service in some patchy areas. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.

>Broadcasters are considering a gap

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filler site for this area.

Table 5 Urban centre/locality assessments based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling, field survey measurements and engineering analysis within the Brisbane metropolitan area (includes the Gold Coast).

Urban centre/locality

Assessment Comments

Urban centres/localities where no coverage and/or reception issues have been identified

All urban localities within the Brisbane metropolitan and the Gold Coast area other than those listed below have been assessed as having no coverage and/or reception issues.

Urban centres/localities where minor service rollout, coverage and/or reception issues have been identifiedAlbany Creek (1 measurement location)

> The Brisbane transmitter provides poor coverage.

>Poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>VHF digital services provide at least very good coverage. However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides no coverage.

Ashmore (1 measurement location)

> The Gold Coast transmitter provides adequate coverage.

>The Currumbin transmitter provides no coverage.

>While coverage from the Gold Coast transmitter is at least adequate , viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

>The Currumbin transmitter does not provide reliable coverage as Ashmore is located at the coverage fringe.

Boronia Heights (1 measurement location)

> The Brisbane transmitter provides adequate coverage.


>VHF digital services provide strong coverage. However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides adequate coverage.

Brassall (1 measurement location)



>VHF digital services provide at least very good coverage. However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides adequate coverage.

Brighton(1 measurement location)



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Bundamba (1 measurement location)



>VHF digital services provide good coverage. However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides adequate coverage.

Burleigh Heads, Elanora, Palm Beach, and Reedy Creek (7 measurement locations)

> The Gold Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to no coverage.

>The Currumbin transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to no coverage.

>While the Gold Coast and the Currumbin transmitters provide at least good combined coverage to some areas, poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Burpengary (2 measurement locations)



Capalaba (1 measurement location)



>VHF digital services provide at least good coverage. However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides adequate coverage.


Carrara (1 measurement location)



Cashmere (2 measurement locations)

> The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to poor.

>While the Brisbane transmitter provides good coverage to some areas, poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Chapel Hill (1 measurement location)



>VHF digital services provide at least very good coverage However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides no coverage.

Coolangatta (2 measurement locations)

> The Gold Coast transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.


Deception Bay (2 measurement locations)

> The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from very good to adequate.

>While coverage from the Brisbane transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in

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some areas.Elimbah (1 measurement location)



Forest Lake (3 measurement locations)

> The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from strong to adequate.


Gilston (2 measurement locations)

> The Gold Coast transmitter provides poor coverage.


Helensvale, Maudsland, and Oxenford (3 measurement locations)



>Reception difficulties have been identified with the NBN68d and TVQ56d digital services in this area. The ACMA will continue to monitor issues of this nature as they arise.

Karalee(1 measurement location)




Keperra (1 measurement location)



Kippa-Ring(1 measurement location)



Logan City (1 measurement location)





Miami (1 measurement location)



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Morayfield (3 measurement locations)

> The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to poor.

>While the Brisbane transmitter provides good coverage to some areas, poor UHF (SBS only) coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

>VHF digital services provide at least good coverage. However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides good to poor coverage.

Mount Gravatt East(4 measurement locations)




Mount Crosby(1 measurement locations)




Mount Ommaney (1 measurement location)




Mt Warren Park, Ormeau Hills, and Pimpama (4 measurement locations)

> The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from adequate to poor.


>Reception difficulties have been identified on the Nine (BTQ6d) and Seven (QTQ8d) services in this area. This issue is likely caused by potentially interfering analog television signals. After analog television is switched off, this issue will most likely be resolved.


Mudgeeraba (2 measurement locations)

> The Currumbin transmitter provides poor coverage.


>Poor coverage or no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified.

Narangba (3 measurement locations)



>VHF digital services provide at least very good coverage. However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides adequate coverage.

Nerang (1 measurement location)


>While coverage from the Gold Coast transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital

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reception in some areas.Pacific Pines (1 measurement locations)



>Reception difficulties have been identified with ABC62, BTQ53, QTQ59, TVQ56, NRN43, NBN68, and NEN65 digital service (SFN reception issue) in this area. The ACMA will continue to monitor issues of this nature as they arise.

Parkwood (1 measurement location)



>Reception difficulties have been identified with NRN43d and NEN65 digital service (SFN reception issue) in this area. The ACMA will continue to monitor issues of this nature as they arise.

Pine Mountain and Blacksoil (1 measurement location)



>VHF digital services provide at least very good coverage. However, UHF digital service (SBS only) provides no coverage.


Shailer Park and Tanah Merah (2 measurement locations)




Spring Mountain, Greenbank, New Beith, North Maclean, and South Maclean (4 measurement locations)

> The Brisbane transmitter provides coverage ranging from good to adequate.


Springfield Lakes (4 measurement locations)




Tallebudgera Valley and Tallebudgera (2 measurement locations)

> The Gold Coast transmitter and the Currumbin transmitter provide coverage ranging from good to poor coverage.


Upper Coomera (2 measurement locations)



Worongary (2 measurement locations)


>While coverage from the Gold Coast transmitter is at least adequate, viewers are more susceptible to reception difficulties. A rural antenna configuration (10 m antenna height) may be required for reliable

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digital reception in some areas.

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