BUSHFIRE REGION: The Phoenix makes is return


The Phoenix Newspaper is making its return in 2026. After the Black Saturday fires in 2009, our company produced The Phoenix Newspaper in the Black Saturday bushfire affected region. In the 18 months of the project, we gave away $1.3 million in free advertising to give a leg up to local people and local businesses getting back up on their feet.

Starting February 4, The Phoenix will be a section inside The Local Paper each issue during 2026 – online weekly, in print fortnightly … with online news updates instantly. The Phoenix will be included in our Regional Edition (Mansfield, Murrindindi, Nillumbik – rural, Whittlesea – rural, Yarra Ranges), our Mitchell Strathbogie Edition, and our Lilydale – Yarra Valley Express Edition.

The Phoenix section will give us the necessary extra space to give extensive full coverage to bushfire recovery news, as well as again providing absolutely free advertising to local people and local businesses who need it.

Our newspaper is available free to readers. No cover price for hard copies, no paywall for online readers. And free advertising for local people and local businesses who need it in really tough times.