FAIRFAX Media’s plans to restructure its operations in rural, regional and suburban Queensland have been modified after consultation with employees and feedback from local communities.
Fairfax’s regional publishing business Australian Community Media (ACM) announced last month a proposal to revitalise its Queensland and Northern Territory newsrooms, newspapers and websites with a significant investment in new systems, training and equipment for journalists and sales staff.
Employees at ACM publications including Queensland Country Life, Redland City Bulletin, Jimboomba Times, Beaudesert Times, Mount Isa’s North West Star and the North Queensland Register, as well as the Katherine Times in the Northern Territory, were briefed on Wednesday on the final shape of the new operating structure.
Director of ACM John Angilley thanked staff and community members who made submissions during the consultation period, and said every piece of feedback was reviewed.
“We are pleased that our communities care about our journalism and our mastheads as much as we do," he said. "With the continued support of our audiences and advertisers, this plan for the future will help our newspapers and websites remain sustainable and vibrant local voices.”
Changes to the original proposal include revised sales support and circulation roles and provision for senior journalist positions in selected editorial teams to provide local newsroom leadership.
The North West Star in Mount Isa will be refreshed with a new look and new digital-first editorial production practices as the frequency of the paper switches to three days a week.
Redland City Bulletin and Beaudesert Times will be redesigned to make them easier to read while Jimboomba Times will move to a slightly larger format to give its popular mix of local news and advertising added impact.
Staff were briefed on Wednesday on the voluntary redundancy program for the Queensland and Northern Territory group, new roles created in the restructure and the implementation schedule for new technology and training.
