The proposed changes are part of an 18-month plan, announced in August, to progressively transform ACM's hundreds of newspapers, websites and events across Australia into a modern, stronger, sustainable rural and regional media network.

Under the plan, all Fairfax newspapers and websites currently published in south west NSW will be redesigned and revitalised.

"The changes we are seeking to introduce are all about setting up our newspapers and websites for the future," ACM director John Angilley said.

"We are strengthening our newsrooms by adopting new newsroom structures, new systems and digital-first editorial production practices, together with a vastly enhanced local sales approach.

"We will have a smaller management layer, work more closely together in groups and across mastheads, share resources and adopt some of the latest technology."

The proposal involves creating several new positions, including sales manager and managing editor roles that would lead refocused teams servicing the south west NSW group.

Some senior editorial and sales roles would be reshaped, new opportunities would be available for some staff, and training would provide further career development and skills enhancement.

The new approach does not require the same on-site resources for editorial production.

Should the proposal proceed, there would be a reduction in staff across sales, administration and editorial.

The hub-and-spoke operating model being adopted across ACM over the next 18 months is expected to result in more centralised, but still regionally run and locally focused newspapers.

Wagga will be the South West NSW hub, with local presences remaining throughout the region to accommodate local reporters and sales staff.

"We will be consulting with our staff in South West NSW and talking with communities over the next fortnight," Mr Angilley said.

"No final decisions have been made yet."

- Former The Irrigator journlist Katana Smith shares her opinion on the proposed changes: http://www.irrigator.com.au/story/2621494/journalism-under-threat/?cs=2028

THE Irrigator has been recognised at the 2014 Country Press Awards, winning the title of the best presented bi-weekly or weekly newspaper for the second year in a row.

In his judges remarks, Nick Hartgerink noted the back-to-back win and the The Irrigator had not let its standards drop.

"Once again it provided the benchmark in this section, with eye-catching and imaginative front page graphics and smart, well-designed inside pages featuring strong page leads," Mr Hartgerink wrote.

"The Irrigator oozes professionalism."

In a coup for the Wagga-based sub-editing staff that lays out both papers, Wagga's The Daily Advertiser was named the winner of the Award for Newspaper Presentation in the daily/tri-weekly category.

For its Award for Local News Reporting entry, which focused on The Irrigator's ranger controversy coverage earlier this year, judge Mal Kearney called the reports "a compelling and complete coverage that didn't lose objectivity while representing a clear community concern".

In the Award for Feature Writing, judge Graham Gorrel said the stories - on three outstanding agricultural businesswomen and the cost of pre-school funding arrangements - were "well-crafted in each case by journalist Talia Pattison".