Gwydir growers face lower water as cotton planting begins
The national cotton crop is tipped to fall from 4.5 million bales to 2.7 million. With Gwydir allocations down after a dry winter, growers are planting less and bracing for a hot, dry season.
Regional women rush clean energy course
Nearly 70 regional women applied in a single month. A new program is training women to help their communities shape the renewable energy rollout, and demand has been huge.
Gwydir Highway works to impact motorists for six months
Motorists face changed traffic conditions on the Gwydir Highway for six months as turnout lane works begin at Gibraltar Range.
SBM26: Flowers, Massage, Tech help
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three local businesses that keep the New England beautiful, relaxed, and stress free.
Local News
Farmers want slasher taken to length of daylight saving
While city workers might rejoice, for farmers the onset of daylight saving time is a six-month grind – and they’re calling for compromise.
Walking tours to unlock Armidale’s hidden stories
Crime and justice, trailblazing women, and colourful characters are hiding in plain sight on Armidale’s streets, and two new walking tours will bring their stories to life at this year’s Creative Streets Festival.
Car destroyed in fire behind Tamworth’s Atrium
Explosions, thick smoke, and workers evacuated. A car was destroyed in a fire behind Tamworth’s Atrium on Saturday, but was an e-bike really to blame? Police say the cause is still unknown.
Tamworth’s Jeff Bacon joins One Nation upper house ticket
Shooters, then Nationals, now One Nation. Third time lucky, Tamworth gun maker Jeff Bacon has landed second on an upper house ticket promising to repeal NSW’s new firearm laws.
What's On
LONG READ >
Tough on crime, weak on details: how emotion rather than evidence drives justice reform
WEEKEND LONG READ: The NSW election is less than six months away, and both sides are selling ‘tough on crime’. The evidence says their tough slogans don’t make us safer. So why do they keep doing it?
Events
Annual Human Rights LectureEnds: October 15, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: October 18, 2026
The New England Community ShowcaseEnds: October 21, 2026
Holy Trinity Anglican Church Fete, Floral & Craft DisplayEnds: October 31, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 1, 2026
- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 15, 2026
Politics
Farmers back labour hire crackdown, but warn shearers and harvesters must not be caught
Labor wants every labour hire firm in NSW licensed. Farmers agree rogue operators must go, but warn the shearing team and harvest contractor could get caught in the net.
100,000 first home buyers in a year
More than 100,000 first home buyers have used the expanded 5% Deposit Scheme in its first year, including more than 28,000 in NSW, according to new figures from Housing Australia.
NSW Aboriginal Land Council supports Gunnedah community in flag debate
“This man knows nothing about segregation.” A Gomeroi Elder and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council have hit back after Gunnedah councillors voted to fly just one flag in the chamber.
Eric Noakes stands down after a decade as Walcha’s mayor
Eric Noakes has handed Walcha’s mayoralty to Hyde Thomson, as his deputy steps aside amid questions over a tourism venture.
Chaffey says backpacker visa cuts leave tourism operators short-staffed
Motels, cafes, and tourist attractions across the north west could be short of staff this summer. The local MP says backpacker visa cuts are to blame, and industry figures put the cost at $1.65 billion.
Landholders encouraged to report plague locust sightings
Landholders across NSW are being urged to report signs of Australian plague locusts as authorities monitor activity across the state.
Business coaching to help New England farmers build resilience
New England farmers can access tailored business coaching to strengthen financial planning, manage risk and better prepare for drought.
Energy and Environment
Origin walks away from Skye Ridge wind farm near Walcha
Origin has walked away from its 870MW Skye Ridge wind farm near Walcha, effective immediately, to double down on its Northern Tablelands project west of Armidale. But the move was no surprise.
Inverell waste strategy opens for public feedback
Inverell Shire residents are being invited to help shape the region’s waste and resource recovery services for the next decade.
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
SBM26: Clean it up with a lick of paint
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three local businesses that keep the New England looking good,
INDIGENOUS
Gunnedah petition demands Aboriginal flag in Council chamber
Gunnedah’s deputy mayor warned of “a reverse type of apartheid” before councillors voted to hang just one flag in the chamber. Now Aboriginal community members are fighting back with a petition.
SPORT
Roosters win NRL grand final in one point nail-biter
One point. One last game for Daly Cherry-Evans. The Roosters survived a wild Knights fightback to win the NRL grand final in a close finish.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Planting for frost on the New England tablelands: tips for spring
Isaac from Nursery Near Me has some tips for spring planting on the tablelands, and says you should keep it simple, and choose natives from the cold country, not the coast. The post Planting for frost on the New England tablelands: tips for spring appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Inverell Library selected for expanded LitUp program
Inverell Library will welcome an Australian author or illustrator for local library and school events after being selected for the 2027 LitUp program.
Next Gen Gunnedah’s big year: from local mentoring nights to a seat at the table in Canberra
Next Gen Gunnedah is quickly making a name for itself, from packed-out networking nights to a place among some of the country’s most influential voices on regional Australia.
