New crop chemical fee model could drive up costs, force products out
Fees to register farm chemicals could jump more than 200 per cent, and industry warns growers will pay for it, while some products may never reach Australian paddocks at all.
TAS students shine on national and world stage
While most students spent the school holidays relaxing, these TAS students were busy winning national and international titles in rugby, hockey and rowing.
Community invited to help shape next 20 years for Tamworth Regional Airport
Tamworth Regional Airport is set for a 20-year rethink, and Council wants your say. Here’s how to have input into the plan shaping the airport’s future.
Professionals Armidale retains Best Real Estate title for second year
Professionals Armidale has cemented its reputation as the New Englandโs leading real estate agency, taking out the Best Real Estate title for the second consecutive year
Local News
Healthy Harold’s Festival of Health returns to Moree with new cybersafety session
A new cybersafety session for families is being added to the program as Healthy Harold’s Festival of Health returns to Moree, with free events open to the whole community.
$2.7 million disaster threshold plan an “insult” to small councils
Damage to your whole town, still miss out on funding: that’s the risk if Canberra’s disaster threshold triples to $2.7 million. Barwon MP Roy Butler says it’s “an insult” to small councils.
Crucial boarding school expo helps local parents make important decisions
Hundreds of local families are expected to make their way to the 2026 Tamworth Boarding Schools Expo, where 41 boarding schools from across New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland will gather under one roof.
Sherelle Fashions goes back-to-back as New Englandโs Best Fashion Store
The Tenterfield boutique successfully defended the title it won in 2025, with customers once again voting in large numbers for the family business they say offers far more than just clothing.

What's On
Best Hardware Store in the New England?
Every repair job or DIY project starts somewhere. Where do you head for the right advice and the right gear? Which is the best Hardware Store in the New England?
Events
Seed SwapEnds: July 18, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: July 19, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: August 1, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: August 2, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: August 16, 2026
Politics
Confusion surrounds new forest carbon credit method as opposition comes from all sides
Farmers say it’s unfair. Green groups call it a scam. The government calls it rigorous. A new forest carbon credit scheme has almost everyone disagreeing, just not about the same thing.
‘No resources’: One Nation defends uncosted policies
Barnaby Joyce has blamed deficient parliamentary resources for the lack of detail about how much its plans will cost.
Barnaby Joyce called out over false highway closure claim on wind farm
Barnaby Joyce said “someone’s gonna get killed” over a highway closure that was never actually planned. Now Vestas, Channel 7 and a fact-checking page have all called it out. Will he correct the record?
Telstra outage resolved, 333 failed calls to Triple Zero
Telstra’s network is back after a nationwide outage traced to a 20-year “time travel” glitch. Customers still having trouble connecting are urged to restart their devices.
Right-wing rivals locked in ‘race to the bottom’: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken a broad swipe at right-wing rivals, telling the Labor Party faithful they are only interested in airing grievances.
Disease doesn’t wait for slow and inefficient bureaucracy, says CropLife
CropLife Australia says APVMA delays leave farmers without timely crop protection products amid rising biosecurity risks nationwide today.
Armidale scientist named to lead national cotton research body
An Armidale scientist and farmer who cut rice variety development timelines by nine years is now running the national body that funds cotton research. Meet the new CRDC boss.
Energy and Environment
TAFE NSW Tamworth to get $950,000 clean energy training upgrade
TAFE NSW Tamworth is getting a $950,000 clean energy upgrade, part of a $25 million push to train the workforce that will build the New England REZ.
Bundarra returns to Level 2 water restrictions
Bundarra has returned to Level 2 water restrictions, effective immediately, following below-average rainfall and ongoing declines in local water supplies.
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 asโฆ
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 tellsโฆ
BUSINESS
Wallace Construction Services builds on reputation to win Best Builder
Voters repeatedly highlighted not only the quality of the finished product but also the experience of dealing with the business from start to finish.
INDIGENOUS
Tamworth community invited to celebrate NAIDOC Week together
Tamworth community members are invited to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC at a family fun day this Wednesday.
SPORT
Cleary’s class: NSW win State of Origin decider
Inspired by Nathan Cleary, NSW have clinched a State of Origin series victory with an upset win over Queensland in the decider at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
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My mother and I went to the ADMS Rocky Horror Show and Rocky was perfect โ he did better than the real Rocky! The post QW: Better than the real Rocky appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
80 student volunteers to descend on Uralla, Deepwater for The Big Lift
Eighty student volunteers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will arrive in Uralla on Tuesday, 7 July, as part of The Big Lift’s 2026 Winter Trip across regional New South Wales and Queensland.
Peter Allen honoured with Blue Plaque at Armidale Folk Museum
An Armidale boy who grew up to become one of Australia’s most celebrated entertainers has been honoured with a Blue Plaque at the newly renovated Armidale Folk Museum.








