The Local Paper is the Victorian North-East’s leading media company, which includes a strong free weekly printed community newspaper of approx. 100 pages each issue, and a dynamic website which has its origins at the start of the century.

The Local Paper is the only media operator in the Murrindindi Shire which produces each of a free print-publication, a free website (no paywall), and active social media. The Local Paper’s Facebook page was created on October 31, 2015. The Local Paper’s first issue of the current era was on February 17, 2016. The Local Paper’s website – with online news reports, weather and PDF copies of all of the printed newspapers – also started on February 17, 2016.

The first pilot issue of The Local Paper was published in mid-1984, with Ash Long as Publisher. The pilot issue was distributed in the Dandenong region. The Local Paper was published monthly from August 1985, as a weekly community newspaper, chiefly in the Warrandyte-Park Orchards-Manningham area, and led by the late Arthur Preusker

At the start of the 21st Century, Local Media Pty Ltd started the www.LocalPaper.com.au website, promoting the in-print editions of newspapers including the Diamond Valley, Kinglake, Whittlesea and Yea editions of The Advertiser.

Local Media Pty Ltd’s publishing activities with The Advertiser spanned a number of years. The company focused on growth of the Melbourne Observer newspaper from 2002. The Observer was first published in 1969.

With the 2009 bushfires, Local Media Pty Ltd commenced publication of The Phoenix newspaper, a special purpose publication to assist the Black Saturday survivors.

More than $1.3 million in advertising space was donated by Local Media Pty Ltd to hundreds of local businesses.

The new era of The Local Paper saw an active editorial coverage throughout the Murrindindi region, and the surrounding Mansfield, Mitchell, Nillumbik, Strathbogie, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges areas.

Ongoing popular demand saw many approaches to the publishers to re-commence a local weekly newspaper. So, in February 2016, The Local Paper was launched as a stand-alone weekly community newspaper – in print and online.

The Local Paper introduced the region’s most energetic local news coverage. Average online reading time is in excess of 6 minutes (source: Issuu.com).

The Local Paper continues to evolve and grow. Print readership continues to increase. Online readership continues to increase (63 per cent desktop, 6 per cent tablet, 31 per cent mobile).

The Local Paper has a deliberate community involvement, and community service participation. We are here to serve.