Brisbane Times expands to GC with grassroots news platform

Fairfax Media's digital publication Brisbane Times is expanding its grassroots news platform MyBT with the launch of MyBT Gold Coast MyBT Gold Coast.

MyBT Gold Coast engages with and activates the local community and 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.

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“MyBT is now in the hands of our community. And like most good communities, it will be enjoyed most by those who get involved,” editor-in-chief of Brisbane Times, Simon Holt (pictured), said.

“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.”

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, we’ve asked some prominent commentators on the Gold Coast to share some of their stories and thoughts – some of them insightful, others thought-provoking – and we’ll continue to seek expert opinion which adds clarity to burning issues,” Holt said.

Launch commentators include the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation CEO Mark Peters on all the excitement leading up to 2018; Star Entertainment Group managing director Qld Geoff Hogg on the billions of dollars being invested into Jupiters Casino; Griffith University's Professor Bradley Bowden on politics; and Dr Jason Doyle on Bernard Tomic's brand problems.

Holt said: “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. Later on launch day, there’ll be a special burger recipe from chef Ben Slee, thoughts from Gold Coast Cabs CEO Gordana Blazevic, and most importantly comments from residents of the Gold Coast.”

Gold Coast readers account for more than a million pageviews on Brisbane Times each month.

“MyBT Gold Coast perfectly complements the Brisbane Times, with readers able to use the platform to tap into the local community vibe, and continue to access a depth of coverage of all the important Queensland issues on Brisbane Times,” Mr Holt said.

MyBT Gold Coast is the second of several MyBT sites to launch and follows the launch of MyBT Toowoomba.

Griffith University and Gold Coast Cabs are project partners in MyBT Gold Coast.