Search begins for Australia’s next Toyota Star Maker
Could you be Australia’s next country music star? Entries are now open for the 47th Toyota Star Maker competition, with a prize package worth more than $100,000.
Warialda community invited to meet AKF Koala All Rounder during local visit
AKF’s Koala All Rounder, Sarah, will visit Warialda on 8–9 June to meet the community and discuss local koala conservation efforts.
B-Double crashed into Armidale viaduct
There was quite a scene after a B-Double with a load of cement crashed into the Armidale viaduct.
Applications closing soon to get a seat at the REZ table
EnergyCo is seeking new members for its New England REZ community reference groups, with vacancies open for residents representing community, environmental and business interests. Applications close Friday June 5.
Local News
Tamworth tenor lands dream role with Opera Australia
Tamworth tenor Christopher Whalley is set to join the next generation of Australian opera talent after being selected for Opera Australia’s prestigious Young Artist Program.
Glen Innes, Uralla rate rises approved
IPART has approved major rate rises for Glen Innes Severn and Uralla Shire councils, with both citing infrastructure costs, underfunding and long-term financial sustainability pressures.
Inverell library to undergo major refresh after $500,000 grant
Inverell Library is set for a major refresh after securing a $500,000 State Library of NSW grant to modernise and revitalise the much-loved community facility.
New England ‘ideal place’ to demonstrate One Health in action
The New England region has been described as an ideal place to demonstrate One Health, linking the health of people, animals and the environment, at a thought-provoking event in Armidale.
What's On
From fireplaces to frameworks: tradies that pay attention to detail
From keeping homes warm and safe through winter to building and repairing the spaces families rely on every day, these two hardworking local operators have built their businesses on quality workmanship, reliability and community spirit.
Events
Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: June 5, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: June 6, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: June 7, 2026- Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: June 12, 2026
New England North West Future Tourism Forum 2026 | Hosted by Business NSWEnds: June 18, 2026
Politics
Welcome Experience program expands to help regional councils tackle worker shortages
Regional councils across the New England and North West are set to receive extra support in attracting and retaining staff, following the expansion of the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program into local government.
Right to Repair discussion paper welcomed
Farmers could soon gain greater freedom to repair and service their own machinery, with the Federal Government proposing to extend Right to Repair laws to agriculture.
Transport planning assumptions unravel across all levels of government
In this New England Times investigation by RK Crosby, we look at how bad numbers, assumptions and guesses, and misrepresentations of old documents, have led to plans at all levels of government being not worth the paper they are printed on.
Community transport trial expands access to education and jobs across regional NSW
A new trial across regional New South Wales is set to broaden the role of community transport services, with the aim of helping more people access education, training and employment opportunities.
‘Almost didn’t survive’: the fraught path to parenthood
A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry hearing in Tamworth today will hear how rural families are disadvantaged ‘at every turn’ while trying to access fertility care.
The fuel crunch is affecting daily life across our region, so we’re doing the one thing we can do, and helping people get the information they need so we can all make it through this together. Read more
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Call to cut red tape amid fuel cost pressures
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson is calling for cuts to red tape to help small businesses and farmers facing rising fuel costs.
READ MORE FUEL CRUNCH STORIES >
Watchdog flooded with complaints as dry spell persists
There has been a sharp increase in the number of people being dobbed in for misusing water as the region experiences ongoing drought.
Take the guesswork out of feeding livestock
Northern Tablelands producers are being urged to use feed testing to improve livestock nutrition as seasonal conditions continue deteriorating.
Energy and Environment
‘Hoarding has stopped’: Albanese says fuel levels stable
Australia’s fuel supply will be stable until at least July, despite volatility in the oil market due to the Iran war, the prime minister has confirmed.
Uralla forum tackles growing native seed shortage
Uralla will host a national forum tackling a critical shortage of native seed, a growing challenge threatening Australia’s environmental restoration and biodiversity projects.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Is your IT structured? Or just functioning?
Many regional businesses only review their IT support when problems escalate. But more businesses are reassessing how their technology systems are managed, and the story of what happened to Acacia Medical tells…
Narrabri residents encouraged to take advantage of full fibre upgrade opportunity
The latest expansion of nbn full fibre technology is helping people in Narrabri keep pace with changing digital needs. Find out how you can upgrade now.
BUSINESS
Regional NSW faces ongoing skills and labour shortages
Regional NSW councils are battling persistent skills shortages, with workforce gaps threatening housing delivery, essential services and economic growth.
INDIGENOUS
Honouring Elders of the Moree Plains Shire in Reconciliation Week
Moree Plains Shire Council has honoured four community leaders on its Elders Honour Board to mark National Reconciliation Week 2026.
SPORT
Chaffey demands Federal Government recommit to full Inland Rail project
Late Monday night when most politicians were heading home or out to dinner, Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey has continued his efforts to put a human face on the cost of the Government’s decision to axe the Inland Rail project north of Parkes.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Letter: Look beyond the headline
Re: Denise’s Desk: The Schoolyard Bully Test I read this post and had to laugh. To be honest, I think people should look beyond the headline and ask a simple question: Does the Pauline Hanson ONP record present Pauline Hanson as a thoughtful voice worthy of the peoples trust? Does she present humanity, peace and long-term The post Letter: Look beyond the headline appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Celebrating New England Volunteer of the Year Awards
Armidale’s Nick Hanson has been named New England Volunteer of the Year for his long-standing community service with Vinnies.
The Welcome Experience for essential workers expands to Tenterfield
Essential workers relocating to the Northern New England region will now receive expanded support, with the NSW Government announcing the extension of The Welcome Experience to include the Tenterfield Shire from 1 July 2026.
