Fairfax logs on in Western Australia

Fairfax heads for the wild West with online newspaper, WAtoday.com.au.

Not only is this the state's first online newspaper, but it also marks Fairfax's entrance into territory previously dominated by daily newspaper, The West Australian, and News Limited website, Perth Now.

Fairfax CEO, David Kirk, said that growth in the state was responsible for the newspaper, which is in a similar vein to brisbanetimes.com.au launched last year.

"There is unprecedented growth and development in Western Australia, it is a fantastic place to do business and we know that there is a strong appetite for an additional news and information source," he said.

With Roy Fleming as editor, the site is also staffed by nine multimedia journalists. Western Australian identities such as Australian of the Year, Dr Fiona Stanley, lawyer, Patti Chong, and social commentator, Howard Sattler, will write exclusively for the site.

"WAtoday.com.au will be a 24/7 online publishing force in WA delivering breaking news, entertainment and sport, backed by the local, national and international resources of Fairfax media," Kirk said.

On opening day, some of the website's entertainment pieces dated as far back as 2005.

Fairfax Digital CEO, Jack Matthews, said the new site would provide a new platform for advertisers to reach people in Western Australia.

"We know there is high demand for advertisers from WAtoday.com.au," he said. "Inventory has sold our for the launch and we are pleased to have the support of both national and local advertisers."