Tamworth’s CBD to glow for the City of Lights festival
Tamworth’s Peel Street, Fitzroy Plaza and Bicentennial Park will come alive with light, culture and community as the Tamworth Chamber and the Tamworth Business Collective join forces to bring back the City of Lights festival.
Telstra maintenance to affect mobile coverage in Tamworth CBD
Telstra customers in the Tamworth CBD may experience temporary disruptions to mobile coverage while maintenance work is carried out this week.
Ella Baché Armidale named ‘The Gold Ella’ National Salon of the Year
Ella Baché Armidale has taken out the top honour at the 2026 Ella Awards, winning ‘The Gold Ella’ National Salon of the Year as the skincare brand celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Construction begins on new $1.2m pest insects research lab
Construction has begun on a new $1.2 million pest insect research laboratory in Tamworth to help farmers combat destructive agricultural pests.
Local News
Armidale takes major step forward on long-term water security
Armidale’s water security fight moves from council chambers to the planning system. A scoping report is in, SEARS have been requested, the clock is ticking on the REZ standoff, and construction could start in 2028.
Bingara set for another day of food, music and community on the Gwydir
Bingara’s much-loved riverside festival, Grazing on the Gwydir, returns to Junction Park on Saturday, 29 August, bringing local food, family activities and live outdoor music to the banks of the Gwydir River.
Fans to decide Tamworth’s respected Galaxy of Stars Honour
Country music fans will have the power to choose the next Galaxy of Stars recipient, with public nominations opening for one of the Tamworth Country Music Festival’s most respected honours.
Teens charged after alleged machete break-in and stolen car pursuit near Moree
Two teenagers have been charged after an alleged crime spree involving home break-ins, stolen vehicles and a police pursuit in the Moree region.
What's On
LONG READ >
No water, no REZ: how Armidale is using the REZ as leverage to fix a decade-old problem
WEEKEND LONG READ: There’s an $800m price tag on getting water security for Armidale and Uralla, and ratepayers don’t have it Now the state wants a $24 billion energy zone built here, and Mayor Sam Coupland is using that need as leverage: no water, no REZ.
Events
Drop-in social sewingEnds: August 21, 2026
Exhibition Opening NightEnds: August 21, 2026
High Country Theatre’s performance of “Lonely Love”Ends: August 21, 2026
Guyra Craft MarketEnds: August 22, 2026
The Ladies Lounge – Celebrating Women of Rock & PopEnds: August 22, 2026
Winter Blooming Festival 2026Ends: August 23, 2026
Politics
Building inspectors give New England sites tick of approval
Just four fines from 32 building sites: New England’s builders have impressed state regulators during a compliance blitz that also swept through the Mid North Coast.
Joyce denies One Nation are ‘a pack of homophobes’
“You can absolutely bet I will not go.” Barnaby Joyce denies One Nation are homophobic, but won’t say if he backs Mardi Gras, only saying he won’t be there and he doesn’t have an opinion.
No water, no REZ: how Armidale is using the REZ as leverage to fix a decade-old problem
WEEKEND LONG READ: There’s an $800m price tag on getting water security for Armidale and Uralla, and ratepayers don’t have it Now the state wants a $24 billion energy zone built here, and Mayor Sam Coupland is using that need as leverage: no water, no REZ.
Hillvue Public Preschool opens as first new regional public preschool in 20 years
Tamworth has landed the first new public preschool built in regional NSW in more than 20 years, with Hillvue Public Preschool now open to 80 children a week.
Wee Waa Health Service extends opening hours after years of lobbying
Wee Waa Health Service is extending its hours to 7am to 10pm from October, more than three years after a staffing crunch forced them back. But the fight for a full emergency department isn’t over yet.
Farmers celebrate as agriculture hits $100 billion
Australian agriculture has passed $100 billion in farm-gate output four years ahead of schedule, a milestone farming leaders, politicians and industry figures celebrated at Parliament House in Canberra.
PLC Armidale crowned champion at NSW Merino Wether Challenge
PLC Armidale students have taken top honours at the 2026 NSW Merino Wether Challenge in Dubbo, winning both statewide and regional titles.
Energy and Environment
New battery discounts welcomed, but farmers want more
Batteries just got cheaper for NSW businesses and farms, but Farmers for Climate Action says the savings won’t count for much without a fix for the regional grid.
Data centres forced to pay their own way under reforms
Fast-tracked data centres will have to comply with standards on water and energy that the state government says are needed to protect local communities.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
From open homes to open hearts: Professionals Armidale’s community BBQ making a difference
A real estate agency might not be the first place you’d expect to find a community fundraising program, but Professionals Armidale is quietly becoming as well known for its local giving as…
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…
BUSINESS
Armidale software company named among world’s best four by Xero
An Armidale software company built inside a local earthmoving business is one of just four finalists worldwide for Xero’s top small-business app award, up against some of the biggest names in the game.
INDIGENOUS
Funding to prevent violence through Aboriginal sport
A $625,000 fund is open to Aboriginal groups across NSW running sport programs aimed at preventing family and sexual violence, with applications closing in October.
SPORT
Big scores mark round 17 of New England Rugby Union
Armidale Blues and Tamworth Magpies piled on the points in a high-scoring round 17 of the New England Rugby Union competition.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Denise’s Desk: Just how many feet can one man fit in his mouth?
Denise says another week of Barnaby Joyce headlines raises a more important question for New England: amid all the noise, where is the representation? The post Denise’s Desk: Just how many feet can one man fit in his mouth? appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
New England communities celebrate RFBI Showcase Awards recognition
New England aged care workers and volunteers are among those recognised in RFBI’s annual Showcase Awards, celebrating excellence and dedication across the sector.
The Alternate Root cleans up at Business Uralla Awards
The Alternate Root was the big winner at the Business Uralla Awards on Friday night, with the host venue and its team collecting a string of major honours.
