Bundaberg Region residents will again be able to read local news in print when Bundaberg Today hits the shelves on September 11.
The new weekly newspaper will be published every Friday and sold through local newsagencies and other outlets.
Part owner and local manager Ingrid Barham said Bundaberg Today was an independently owned, independently run newspaper published for locals by locals.
“Being a weekly publication it will feature a wrap up of what’s happened during the week and what’s happening next week,” Ingrid said.
“It will be filled with local stories across a few different sectors of the community.
“It’s about news that locals are interested in, which is what’s happening in their own backyard.”
The NewsMail, owned by the Murdoch family's News Corp, published its final print edition on Saturday, 27 June 2020.
More than 100 of the American-based company's regional and community titles ceased print editions and moved to digital-only formats.
Mayor welcomes Bundaberg Today
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey said he wishes Bundaberg Today every success.
“Diversity is important in local media and it's great to see a new publisher entering the market,” he said.
“A lot of people prefer print over broadcast or digital and it's terrific to see them now having a choice.
“I also welcome the fact that local people are being employed and local owners are involved because they bring genuine local knowledge and care.”
Ingrid is no stranger to the paper business, having spent nine years at the Bundaberg NewsMail, including a stint as general manager.
Most of her team also has local experience with two former NewsMail journalists and two former NewsMail sales representatives also joining Bundaberg Today.
As a “third generation Bundabergian” Ingrid said she knew as a local and from industry experience that there was still a strong market for printed news.
“I think it’s providing them with something that they really have asked for,” she said.
“I’m incredibly proud we can pull together a team that can deliver a printed product for the community and continue to report on local news and matters that people care about most.”
Excitement builds for Bundaberg Today
Golden Arrow News and Casket owner Amanda Shield is one of the local newsagents who has already come on board to stock Bundaberg Today and she said excitement is building.
“Our customers are thrilled to have a local paper again with a lot of local content,” Amanda said.
“Especially the funeral notices as well as the sports fixtures and the TV guides.
“We actually have already started taking orders.
“They’ve been putting their name and phone number down so they don’t miss out.”
Amanda said while there was no longer a daily local paper, a printed publication was something locals still wanted to read.
“A lot of our older customers in particular were quite upset that they weren’t going to have that local paper and that routine.
“They were actually quite devastated.”
As distributors are finalised Bundaberg Today will release a full list of the locations it is available for sale.
Home deliveries are also available.
Ingrid said the team was looking for contributors with anyone interested able to contact editorial@bundabergtoday.com.au.
- Other news: Final NewsMail publication
Congratulations Bundaberg Today. In my opinion to have a “Wrap-up” of the weeks local news once a week (weekend) is a smart move. I look forward to the “Look” of the newspaper and to include that in my Saturday am/pm morning coffee routine. Thank you.
Great news for Bundaberg. We have missed the local paper. Everyone needs to support the paper. Good luck.
Look forward to Bundaberg Today coming out I miss reading the local newspaper
You said there will be a delivery service would that include country. We are at Sharon and have enjoyed delivery of our paper for many years.
fantastic….anything other than a newscorpse publication is great for the local community…lets hope it presents the issues from all sides not just LNP propaganda …go you good thing
Do you home deliver
Wonderful news. The NewsMail is sorely missed so it’s great that a local paper will once again be available.
Well Done Ingrid, It’s good to know we will still have our own local Newspaper in Bundaberg. Thank you for supporting our local community.