Fairfax Media is continuing with the restructure of its community publishing operations, announcing on Thursday plans to revitalise the company’s non-metropolitan newspapers and websites in the greater Sydney area.
The company is almost halfway through an 18-month overhaul of its Australian Community Media (ACM) business, which involves introducing new technology and training for journalists and sales staff, workforce reductions and some changes to publications.
“Right across ACM, we are investing to secure the future of local news by building a stronger, sustainable and modern media network to serve our suburban, regional and rural communities,” Director of ACM John Angilley said.
Staff across the greater Sydney region were briefed on Thursday about the proposed changes at the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader, the Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser, Blue Mountains Gazette, Penrith City Gazette, Hawkesbury Gazette, Hawkesbury Courier, Hills News, Rouse Hill Courier, Liverpool City Champion, Fairfield City Champion, Parramatta-Holroyd Sun, Blacktown Sun, St Marys-Mt Druitt Star, Camden-Narellan Advertiser, Wollondilly Advertiser and South West Advertiser.
Changes include the introduction of a new digital-first publishing system, new equipment and skills for journalists and sales teams, the introduction of new ways of working and refreshed designs for the company’s stable of newspapers.
The proposal would involve total staff reductions of about 27 full-time equivalent positions.
Consultation with employees is now under way.
“Our journalists and our sales teams will work with new skills, capabilities and resources so they can continue to do what they do best - create quality journalism and connect advertisers to our audiences,” Mr Angilley said.
“Our mastheads must embrace change to ensure they remain the most trusted source of news and information for years to come in the communities we serve.”
The Sydney region operating group is led by business manager Sally White. Recently appointed group managing editor Vernon Graham and group sales manager Karen Graham will head the restructured editorial and sales teams, respectively.
Under the proposal, the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader will be published once a week rather than twice a week, with staff and advertisers to be consulted on the most suitable day.
The free weekly South West Advertiser will be discontinued and the distribution footprints of the Liverpool City Champion and Camden-Narellan Advertiser adjusted to continue serving that area.
“There’s no lessening in Fairfax’s commitment to providing coverage of our local communities,“ Mr Angilley said. “We are better focusing our resources and strengthening our newspapers and websites for the future.”
Thursday’s announcement follows the introduction of new technology and new ways of working across ACM’s 13 mastheads in regional Victoria and the successful transition of South-West NSW publications such as The Daily Advertiser in Wagga.
“Our full focus and attention in the weeks ahead is consulting with our staff to ensure everyone fully understands the proposal and has the opportunity to give feedback,” Mr Angilley said. “No final decisions have been made.”
Fairfax’s ACM network includes hundreds of newspapers and websites serving regional, rural and suburban communities in every Australian state and territory.