For years the controversial packaging of The Leader has been an unpopular downside to the community newspaper, with residents often voicing their discontent and frustration with the way it is wrapped when it arrives on their front lawns.

Even avid readers have admitted the struggle to unwrap the local newspaper would deter busy members of the community from opening the product.

Riverina Media Group general manager Gary Olson said the packaging transition marked the beginning of a exciting new era for the long-standing Wagga newspaper.

“This is a great step forward for our fantastic free local paper,” he declared.

“I am confident that our free community newspaper will be read and exposed to a greater audience.

“There is also the exciting prospect of old and new advertisers revisiting the paper.”

Gary admitted the community’s continued push to change the way The Leader is wrapped and delivered ultimately prompted the group to take action and adopt the new packaging.

“With out the communities influence and continued comment it probably would not have changed,” he said.

“I have a philosophy that when people complain or comment about individual issues I have the opportunity to so something about it, and improve our product.

“I thank those that took the time to pass on their thoughts, whether they were positive or negative, and I am proud to see what has been achieved as a result.”

According to Gary the new packaging will keep the newspaper flat and manageable, and stop the product from rolling up and dramatically reduce the risk of tearing while it is being unwrapped.

Gary’s thoughts were echoed by Wagga resident Cindy Flint when she was shown the new and improved model.

“It will be a lot easier to open and a lot easier to read,” she said. “I think it will also make it a lot easier to manage.”

The Leader will be printed in Canberra Press, where a new flat wrap fully automated system has made the process reasonably cost effective.