Newspaper ask for local gossip in attempt to solve airport real estate mystery

An online newspaper in Rockhampton, Australia, has asked its readers for their gossip in what seems to be a new way of researching stories.
In this case the newspaper is investigating a story that property around the Rockhampton, Airport is being bought up by outside mystery investors who seem intent on building something big.  Instead of hiring one journalist to snoop around while on the payroll, the CQ Extra has asked all its readers to psst psst "Tell us what you heard?"
They might not get to the truth of the gossip using this method but they'll certainly get to its heart.
As for the general feel around Rockhampton about this supposed mystery investor, I guess they think it's good news providing the buyer does not turn out to be some sort of flight school for a certain kind of Croc Hunter named Osama.