With staff and writers lined up and a printer in place, Australia’s The Saturday Paper has announced its launch plans.

The first issue is scheduled for March 1, with Hamish McDonald (world), Kirsty Simpson (business), David Marr (columnist) and Richard Cook (sports) set for the main editorial roles.

Publisher Morry Schwartz promises “a list of big voices and brilliant writers”, editor Erik Jensen having chosen from almost 500 journalist applications.

Fairfax Media will print the paper, which will be available in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, and also an app.

Schwartz describes his latest creation as “a remedy for the wane in quality journalism.

“Like its sister publications, the Monthly and Quarterly Essay, it will publish the finest writers on the most important issues.”

• March 1 is also the date on which the Saturday editions of The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald will go tabloid, broadsheet rival The Australian has reported.