Australia's Fairfax Media hopes readers in News Corp's Gold Coast heartland will write and illustrate its new MyBT Gold Coast news platform.
The Brisbane Times offshoot launched today and follows a similar site in Toowoomba. Several other MyBT sites are to launch, the publisher says.
Brisbane Times editor in chief Simon Holt says the grassroots news platform is in the hands of the community: "And like most good communities, it will be enjoyed most by those who get involved."
MyBT Gold Coast provides a new way for people to share news tips, photos, submit sports results, promote events via a calendar function, and write stories about what's happening in their community.
"MyBT Gold Coast provides for all levels of engagement, from the most complex issues, through to that pesky pothole which the council never seems to fix. The site is intended to be as parochial as it is insightful," says Holt.
Comments and posts are moderated by journalists and opinion is a blend of content from community groups, individuals and some commissioned from experts to provide insights and perspectives on topical local issues.
To get the ball rolling, commentators - including Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation chief executive Mark Peters, Star Entertainment state managing director Geoff Hogg, Griffith University's Bradley Bowden and Jason Doyle - share stories and thoughts.
"There are also a few parochial comments settling the tourist haven's ongoing feud with Noosa, and another fun piece about bad drivers and traffic on the coast," Holt says.
Griffith University and Gold Coast Cabs are project partners, and Holt says a piece from Gold Coast Cabs chief executive Gordana Blazevic is also planned.
Fairfax says Gold Coast readers account for more than a million pageviews on Brisbane Times each month.