Uralla water upgrades aim to protect supply and reduce waste for residents
Uralla residents are set to benefit from improved water security and fewer losses following upgrades to the town’s network.
Narrabri to host regional investment forum aimed at driving jobs and economic growth
Narrabri will host regional business and investment leaders this month to explore opportunities for economic growth, innovation and job creation.
Smaller banks baulk at regional branch plan
An alliance of regional banks and mutual funds has trashed an industry plan to use multi-bank hubs to salvage face-to-face banking in the bush, saying it will fail customers.
Narrabri lines up six free events for Small Business Month
Six free workshops and events, from AI to cash flow to tourism, are coming to Narrabri this October for Small Business Month. Here is what is on and when.
Local News
World Cup Show brings four days of entertainment to Tamworth
Tamworth will host four days of free entertainment as the World Cup Show brings elite showjumping and family activities to the region.
SBM26: Aaah, clink, vroom
Today we’re celebrating three local businesses that keep the New England confident, happy and looking good.
Armidale car meet raises $1,600 for local oncology patients
Armidale oncology patients and families will benefit from more than $1,600 raised by local car enthusiasts for the hospital’s Oncology Unit.
Narrabri’s pink slug goes giant and global
It survived the Black Summer fires, it glows hot pink, and now the whole world is talking about it. Narrabri’s rare slug could soon get a giant monument and be the next Big Thing.
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
Chaffey backs migration cut as refugee group warns of cost
Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey says the Coalition’s migration cuts would take pressure off local housing, roads, and schools. Refugee group SSI says halving the humanitarian intake would shut out thousands in need.
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.
Anderson urges locals to shut the laptop and shop local
Rising costs and a slow economy are biting local businesses. Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson has a simple ask for October: shut the laptop and shop in town.
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?
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.
Armidale livestock unit celebrates 50 years
From a handful of traits to trillions of data points, an Armidale unit has spent 50 years reshaping Australian livestock. Now it is throwing a party, and auctioning a heifer.
Goat producers urged to have levy say
The goat levy hasn’t changed since 1997. Now producers face a vote that would more than double it. Here’s where the money would go, and why every vote counts.
Energy and Environment
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.
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.
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: Stay, talk, romance
Today we’re highlighting three creative and caring mums that keep the New England talking, reading and caring.
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
Armidale’s Narwan Eels defend under 17 boys title at Koori Knockout
Armidale club Narwan Eels have held on to their under-17 boys crown at the Koori Knockout, beating the Waterloo Storm Academy 22-10 in the grand final at Raymond Terrace on Monday, 5 October.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- QW: An excellent result for Moree
Re: $12.7m Moree investment to create jobs, boost agricultural exports An excellent result for the Moree community after too many decades of being ignored by political representatives. This development is an excellent reason for completing the missing about 25km railway link between Moree and Port Newcastle ASAP. This would seriously reduce the cost of freight for The post QW: An excellent result for Moree appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
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.
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.
