New England REZ rollout caused ‘avoidable harm’
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has found the New England REZ rollout caused “avoidable harm” due to a lack of a coherent, enforceable, whole-of-government planning framework.
Man charged over alleged drug supply in Inverell
A man has been charged after police allegedly seized cannabis and more than $10,000 in cash during searches in Inverell.
Applications open for Moree Plains Shire Council’s community enhancement fund
Applications are now open for Moree Plains Shire Council’s 2026 Community Enhancement Fund, offering grants of up to $25,000 for projects.
McLachlan’s Smash Repairs drives away with Best Smash Repairs title
Customers praised their exceptional workmanship, meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to customer service.
Local News
Armidale film festival returns with French favourite to open two-week program
The Armidale International Film Festival will open on Friday, 7 August with the French drama Colours of Time, as organisers bring another wide-ranging lineup of international cinema to the Belgrave Cinema.
Wee Waa business to pitch biological pest control fix for cotton industry
A Wee Waa agricultural business is preparing to pitch a new approach to controlling one of cotton’s most stubborn pests, using predatory mites instead of chemical sprays, at the Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast this August.
Aerial applicator fined for overspray at Bendemeer
A helicopter spraying company has been fined more than $70,000 after herbicide drifted onto trees at Bendemeer. The pilot admitted to spraying “by eye”.
Uralla adopts renewable energy action plan after community consultation
Uralla Shire Council has adopted a Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan to guide its advocacy, planning and preparedness as renewable energy development accelerates across the region.
What's On
Best Travel Agency in the New England?
Dreaming of your next getaway? Who takes the stress out of planning the perfect holiday? Which is the best Travel Agency in the New England?
Events
Artist Talk: Julie EdgarEnds: July 31, 2026
Karaoke @ BoobooksEnds: July 31, 2026
Bliss Bomb @ the BowloEnds: July 31, 2026
Artist Talk: Angus NivisonEnds: August 1, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: August 1, 2026
The Wizard of Oz – Red Gala & Closing NightEnds: August 1, 2026
Politics
NSW Farmers moves to strip MLA of NLIS database project
NSW Farmers moved to ask the government to strip MLA of the NLIS database uplift project at last week’s conference, after years of what one delegate called “lip service” from the agency running it.
Regional councils claim historic win in national funding shake-up
A new national deal has just delivered a big funding win for councils. Here’s what mayors and MPs say it means for your rates, roads and jobs.
Tenterfield council defends secrecy around audit committee minutes
Tenterfield residents want to know why audit committee minutes were kept secret. Council says the answer comes down to guidelines, and the growing threat of cyber attacks.
Confirmed racist: Hanson loses appeal over ‘seriously offensive’ tweet
Four years on from her “piss off back to Pakistan” tweet, Pauline Hanson has lost her appeal and will have to live with the courts saying she is racist.
Enough is enough: Leaders plead for civility as abuse boils over
Online abuse and offline threats are pushing local leaders to breaking point, with three local politicians this week pushing back.
Supplementary feeding and vaccination critical to livestock health this winter
Northern Tablelands livestock producers are being urged to boost supplementary feeding and vaccinations as winter conditions heighten the risk of disease outbreaks.
New England researchers chase cotton breakthroughs with five funded projects
Mite-filled capsules dropped by drone, satellite dashboards, beans as fertiliser: five New England projects have landed almost half of the country’s cotton innovation grants.
Energy and Environment
Residents invited to have their say on Inverell battery project
Construction on the proposed Inverell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) could begin as early as 2028, with the project now moving toward a major public consultation stage next week.
Getting to a tipping point: NSW Farmers renewables debate not as clear cut as the vote
New England farmers packed the floor at NSW Farmers’ conference this week, but the fight wasn’t over wind and solar. It was over who pays, who decides, and where the transmission lines actually go.
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
Kentucky’s Dobson’s Distillery toasts victory as Best Winery, Brewery or Distillery
This small Kentucky distillery has become one of the region’s standout destinations—and one that’s putting New England spirits firmly on the map.
INDIGENOUS
New initiative puts Aboriginal communities in the driver’s seat of licensing support
Transport for NSW is launching an Australian-first program training Aboriginal driving instructors to expand culturally safe licensing support statewide.
SPORT
Inverell set to host its biggest Joeys Mini World Cup yet, but organiser calls for more local teams
Inverell will once again become a football village this spring, with the Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup set to run from Monday, 28 September to Sunday, 4 October.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Denise’s Desk: A Serious Party for Serious Times
Denise writes that what she witnessed in the national Australian Labor Party conference was the opposite of the slogans and outrage we see so often. It was the serious party we deserve. The post Denise’s Desk: A Serious Party for Serious Times appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Myers part of Australian first on world stage
An Armidale music teacher just helped make history in the Netherlands, becoming part of the first Australian band ever to crack the World Music Contest’s elite division.
A weekend of fire, iron and community: Eulah Creek’s big event returns
A beloved fixture on the north-west calendar is gearing up for its 28th year, with the Eulah Creek Vintage Machinery Day and Cast Iron Chef Weekend set to draw crowds to Beulah Park Hall once again.
