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The L ocal Paper - Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - Page 9
Local News
Chronicle, Standard reader numbers plunge
■ Official annual circulation figures for The Yea Chronicle and the Alexandra-EildonMarysville Standard have shown an alarming drop. The figures have been released by the Victorian Country Press Association. The figures show that the once-significant Yea Chronicle now has a circulation of only 524 copies each week. This is a fall of 17.7 per cent in just 12 months from 637 copies. The Yea Chronicle’s readership has dropped by 38.4 per cent in two years. Sales were 850 copies, two years ago. The readership statistics are not much better for the Alex-
4500 4000
IN PRINT AND ONLINE
3500
VALUE FOR LOCAL ADVERTISERS
3000 2500 2000 1500
Standard
1000 500
The Yea Chronicle
524
0
1548
4600+
● Comparison of local newspaper circulations in Murrindindi Shire. 2017
andra-Eildon-Marysville Standard which are at a new low of 1548 copies each week. This is a 6.1 per cent fall in the past 12 months. The Standard readership figures have dropped by 26.3 per cent over the past two years, from 2100 copies to 1548. Meanwhile, The Local Paper has increased its circulation lead, with a 32.2 per cent increase in circulation over the year. The print run for The Local Paper has increased from 2722 copies to 3600 - a rise of 32.2 per cent. “The Local Paper is reliable, trusted, respected and affordable,” said Editor Ash Long.
Local Politics
Wire rope to extend to Cathkin: McLeish
■ Cindy McLeish, State Liberal MLA for Eildon, says locals have been kept in the dark about the Andrews Labor Government's plan to extend wire rope barriers on the Goulburn Valley Hwy from Molesworth to Cathkin. "Yet again the Andrews Government is surprising local motorists with more road disruption and delays without talking to them beforehand," Ms McLeish said. The Andrews Labor Government announced an additional 3.2 kilometres of centreline safety barrier would be installed along the Goulburn Valley Hwy from Molesworth to Cathkin. This follows questions to the Minister raised by Ms McLeish
● Cindy McLeish MLA in the Victorian Parliament in early May, asking whether or not the Government had any plans to extend the barriers. "I have been approached by a number of constituents in the
area who have heard that this is going to be the case: one, that they will be extended to Cathkin and another that they will be extended to Yarck," Ms McLeish said. Under Parliament's rules the Minister for Roads and Road Safety had 30 days to respond to the question but after more than two months, no response has been provided. "Our community deserves better from this Government. “When questions are asked, questions should be answered straight up there and then. The Minister has deliberately concealed the scope of these works from the public and they must be allowed to have their say," Ms McLeish said.
Ah, the serenity ...
● Darren Withoos from Status Luxury Houseboats was on hand to welcome Shadow Water Minister Peter Walsh and Cindy McLeish MLA when they visited his business at Eildon last week. The visit also had to include a visit to Bonnie Doon to enjoy the ... serenity.
EDITORIAL COMMENT Wednesday, August 2, 2017 Dear Ms Abbey We again write regarding the placement of Murrindindi Shire Council's advertising in local newspapers, which should be aimed at best practice communication with the most possible number of residents across the municipality. We understand that Murrindindi Council last formally made its appointment of various local newspapers (all owned by Newspaper House Pty Ltd) more than four years ago (October 2012). To the best of our knowledge, there has not been a tender for local newspaper advertising in the intervening period. The Victorian Local Government Best Practice Procurement Guidelines seek to "achieve high standards of fairness, openness, probity, trans parency, risk management and accountability". The Guidelines state: "Councils should expect the Victorian AuditorGeneral’s Office and the Victorian Ombudsman may assess their practices and report against these guidelines." In regard to open and fair competition, the Guidelines state: "All prospective suppliers/vendors must be treated (and be seen to be treated) fairly in an open and transparent manner with the same access to information about the procurement to enable them to submit prices/quotations/tenders on the same basis. “Councils must adequately test the market in a consistent manner without any bias, or perception of bias, so that potential suppliers and the public have confidence in the outcome." Murrindindi Shire Council, under your supervision, has not done this. The Guidelines state: "In all commercial dealings, the highest standards of honesty must be observed. “Councils must conduct their business in a fair, honest and open manner, demonstrating the highest levels of integrity consistent with the public interest." We believe that The Local Paper has been denied a natural justice and fairness in its ongoing approaches to be considered for Council's advertising purchasing. A number of our emails to you and Council on the subject have gone without reply. The Council has only purchased a handful of small advertisements with The Local Paper in the past 18 months. All of your major local advertising purchases have been made with newspapers owned by Newspaper House Pty Ltd (Alexandra Standard, Yea Chronicle, North Central Re view) without any tender opportunity afforded to others. We believe that Council's ap proach is in serious danger of breaching the spirit of the procurement guidelines. We believe that the monies spent on Council's local advertising in the past 4½ years go well beyond what is permitted in officers' discretionary purchasing, and exceed the maxi-
Open letter to CEO, Councillors, Murrindindi Shire Council mum allowed expenditure without tender. The Guidelines provide that the expenditure needs to be assessed as a total amount across the 4½-years, not on an annual basis. Our company has invested close to $1 million in establishing the largest circulating and best read weekly local newspaper in Murrindindi Shire . We contribute to the local economy, and have created significant local work opportunities within the municipality. We note that at no time has there been any approach to us from Council's Economic Development team. The only description for Council's general approach to our local business is "ice cold". The Local Paper has enjoyed a 32.2 per cent increase in readership in the past 12 months. Our print run has increased from 2722 to 3600 copies every week. Plus, we have more than 1000 unique readers each week at our website. More local people in Murrindindi Shire trust The Local Paper for local news than any other media. Official figures (source: Victorian Country Press Association website) show the Yea Chronicle circulation has dropped by 17.7 per cent in the past 12 months (637 copies, down to 524 copies). Alexandra Standard circulation dropped by 6.1 per cent: 1649 copies, down to 1548. Over the past two years, Ye a Chronicle copies have dropped by 38.4 per cent (850 copies to 524). Alexandra Standard copies have dropped by 26.3 per cent (2100 copies to 1548). We believe that the Council has fallen well short of the best practice guidelines. We believe that the Council has minimised public scrutiny by placing its advertisements only in local newspapers with cover prices, and a paywall website. This is grossly unfair to local families with limited incomes, and to local disadvantaged people. The two major newspapers chosen by Council for its advertising are in fast decay, circulation-wise. The combined circulation of the two newspapers chosen by Council is 2072 copies, which is far short of the municipality's total number of families. We call on Council to immediately put its local advertising contracts to tender. We are mindful of the avenues open to us with the Victorian Auditor-General, Ombudsman and the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate . Equally important is the perception of the public of Murrindindi as to whether you and Council are providing a "fair go", as you are required to do, and if you are genuinely trying to maximise your communication with all stakeholders in the municipality. - Ash Long, Editor