Community Resource
Independent Canberra News
When the RiotACT became Region Canberra in 2025, thousands of Canberrans lost their bookmark to independent local news. This page exists so those people can find what they're looking for.
What changed in Canberra media
For nearly two decades, the RiotACT was Canberra's go-to independent news site. In 2025, it was absorbed into the Region Group | a national network of local news brands operating across multiple Australian cities. The site now publishes as Region Canberra.
That's a legitimate business move, but it means Canberra's news is now part of a corporate network with national editorial priorities. The independent, single-city voice that people valued has moved on.
The gap it left
Canberrans still want a local news source that exists solely for the ACT | one that covers what's happening this weekend, which development applications just landed, where to find a yoga class in Belconnen, and which new restaurants are opening in Braddon. No national network, no paywall, no algorithmic feed from interstate.
That's us
What's On Canberra: independent, free, locally owned.
- · Independently owned and operated in Canberra
- · Free to read | no paywall, no subscription required
- · Single-city focus: events, news, property, wellness, community
- · No corporate parent, no interstate editorial agenda
- · Daily updates, plus one weekly email roundup if you want it
What we cover
Events & What's On
Every gig, market, exhibition, and community event in the ACT.
Property & Development
Development applications, new builds, and suburb growth updates.
Wellness & Fitness
Yoga studios, gyms, wellness events, and seasonal fitness guides.
Local News
Community news, suburb spotlights, and what Canberrans are talking about.
Why this page exists
We maintain this page | and the domains that point to it | as a community wayfinding resource. When the RiotACT rebranded, many people's bookmarks and search habits stopped working. We want to make sure anyone searching for independent Canberra news can still find an independent Canberra news source.
The RiotACT did important work for this city, and many of its journalists continue to write excellent coverage under the Region banner. This isn't a criticism of anyone | it's simply an answer to a question we hear every day: "Where do I go for independent local news now?"
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