Uralla’s community care service gets a new name and two electric vehicles
The Tablelands community transport service you know has a new name, and it’s going electric. Here’s what’s changing for Uralla Shire residents who rely on it.
$10,000 prize up for grabs for Narrabri’s standout teens
A $10,000 prize is waiting for one of Narrabri’s most remarkable teenagers. Know a young local who is brave, brilliant or giving back? Nominations are now open.
Moree Plains Shire Council names new general manager
Moree Plains Shire Council has found its new general manager. Meet the man who says the shire has “enormous potential”.
Rural Aid hay and water heading to Inverell and Glen Innes as dry bites New England farms
Rain has fallen, but the dry hasn’t let go. One cattle farmer near the border says it costs him $3 a head a day just to keep them alive. Help is heading to Inverell and…
Local News
Love it or loathe it, Halloween has come to New England
Love it or loathe it, Halloween has landed in New England, and this weekend there are costume parties, skate nights, and spooky cookies from Uralla to Moree for anyone game enough to dress up. If you still think it’s an American import with no business here, fair enough. Turn off the porch light, close the…
Council locks in five years of funding for Bank Art Museum Moree
Moree’s Bank Art Museum has five years of council funding locked in, just as the Archibald Prize rolls into town and a big 40th birthday looms. Here’s what the deal means.
Armidale pipeline tops list as Uralla weighs its water future
A pipeline from Armidale has topped the list of options to secure Uralla’s water. But Council says nothing is decided yet, and it wants to hear what residents think.
Glen Innes Aboriginal community helps close gap in cancer research
Cancer treatment guided by DNA is less precise for Aboriginal people, because their genetic data is missing. Glen Innes is helping change that, but there’s only until Friday to take part.
What's On
LONG READ >
The cost of civility: how do we learn to disagree again?
WEEKEND LONG READ: Regular abuse online. Targeted campaigns of lies. Threats of violence, rape and even death. As Australia asks how it treats its politicians after the alleged attack on Helen Haines, local female politicians say they have been living the challenge, and agree we need to hold social media accountable – and find a way to disagree with civility.
Events
Holy Trinity Anglican Church Fete, Floral & Craft DisplayEnds: October 31, 2026
Spooky Halloween SkateEnds: October 31, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 1, 2026
Twilight Tales at Calala Cottage Museum – Garden Picnic and Museum ToursEnds: November 7, 2026
Twilight Tales at Calala Cottage Museum – Garden Picnic and Museum ToursEnds: November 7, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 15, 2026
Politics
Nationals blast buyback starting before the rules
The firearms buyback starts 2 November, and Grafton Police Station is one of the first collection points. The Nationals say the rules aren’t even written yet, and Tamworth’s music festival is in the way.
Chaffey urges kindness after Haines attack
Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey says words can hurt and words can heal, as parliament pays tribute to Dr Helen Haines. His message to Australians after the attack: “Let’s continue with kindness.”
Gun buyback starts before rules are set
The NSW gun buyback starts next week, but the rules on who can keep extra firearms aren’t final. In Armidale, Tamworth, Moree and Inverell, you can’t hand anything in until January.
Minister threatens to suspend Moree council, dodges safety questions
The Minister for Local Government is asking Moree Plains Shire Council why he shouldn’t put them into administration, but has not answered questions about why he failed to act to keep councillors and staff safe.
Fears for regional prostate cancer care
Regional men with prostate cancer could lose specialist nursing support when federal funding ends in June 2027. Jamie Chaffey wants a guarantee no community is left worse off.
Vegetable supplier admits price fixing
Australia’s second-largest fresh vegetable supplier has admitted fixing prices on broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce sold to ALDI. A $12 million penalty is proposed, but a judge has the final say.
Murrami rice farmer is new NFF vice president
A Murrami rice, sheep, and walnut farmer with an environmental law degree is the National Farmers’ Federation’s new vice president, as four new committee chairs are also named.
Coalition water taskforce targets Basin buybacks
Water buybacks are in the Coalition’s sights. A new taskforce will tour the Basin to hear from irrigators and push for dams and a ban on more buybacks.
Energy and Environment
$8.28m for drought resilience, and more on offer
Women cutting their own hair because there wasn’t enough water. That’s the kind of drought hardship $8.28 million in new grants aims to tackle, and there’s more money still on offer.
Copeton Dam turns 50: the water behind Inverell’s economy
Copeton Dam marked 50 years since its official opening yesterday, Friday, 23 October, and Inverell Mayor Kate Dight says many people do not realise how much the community relies on it.
Why can’t we get this done? Oven Mountain latest renewable project to falter
The latest announcement of a renewable project to fail is the one that no one expected. Questions are being asked about whether the NSW Government is to blame, or if there is a bigger problem about how we do large infrastructure in this country.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Primary Health Network continues to support and invest in the Glen Innes community
Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to Glen Innes through continued investment in local healthcare services, community programs and innovative models of…
Have your say on the future name of Killean
New owners of McLean Care want your help in naming the main home, and have put up $5000 to make it worth your while to have your say. Vote now!
BUSINESS
Coffee cup backflip: Labor to scrap mandate, but not until after the election
Labor will scrap its coffee cup mandate, but only after the election. Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh says cafés can’t wait that long, and he’s bringing a repeal bill next month.
INDIGENOUS
First Nations culture to take centre stage at Black Gully Festival
Armidale Community Radio 2ARM will honour its long-time musical patron, Uncle Cyril Green Senior, and bring First Nations culture to the 15th Black Gully Festival on Saturday, 7 November.
SPORT
Gunnedah brothers claim bull riding glory in Tamworth
Two Gunnedah brothers, a Barraba rider, and a Walcha cowboy all got their moment in Tamworth. Then the Open final came down to just 0.10 of a point.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Begin Rant: Hoenig is going to lose Minns the election
RK Crosby writes that the threat to put Moree Plains Shire Council into administration provides a how-to-guide for the destruction of local government, and if Minns doesn't deal with Hoenig, it may cost him the election. The post Begin Rant: Hoenig is going to lose Minns the election appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
SBM26: Road-ready support, inclusive opportunities and a helping hand
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three businesses and organisations making life easier for their communities: a Tamworth towing and caravan specialist offering personal service from purchase to repairs, an Inverell not-for-profit creating opportunities and independence for people with disability, and a Coffs Coast family business helping households and businesses clear clutter, move furniture…
Gunnedah women recognised at NSW local government awards
Two women from Gunnedah Shire Council have been recognised for their leadership and contributions to local government at the 2026 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government.
