UNE expands nursing training with new clinical laboratories
UNE has expanded its nursing training capacity in Armidale, unveiling new state-of-the-art clinical labs to help address regional healthcare workforce shortages.
$30 million boost for key Bellingen detour roads after Waterfall Way closure
Summervilles and Gordonville roads will receive a $30 million upgrade after becoming critical detour routes during the Waterfall Way closure earlier this year.
Small grants available for community projects across Armidale region
Applications for the next round of Armidale Regional Council’s Community and Village Grants will open on Monday, 1 June 2026.
From Paddocks to Properties: Regional businesses doing it all
From specialist veterinary care to skilled building maintenance, businesses across the New England and North Coast continue to prove that regional expertise is as diverse as it is dependable.
Local News
First Nations Art and community to come together at Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition
A celebration of First Nations art, culture and community will take centre stage in the New England region next month, with the annual Myall Creek Memorial Exhibition returning to Ceramic Break Sculpture Park on June 6.
Heavy rain continues across the region, Newell cut
With over three inches in the gauge at Pallamallawa yesterday and more overnight, the region is enjoying a much needed drink, but the Newell Highway remains closed.
Chaffey demands Federal Government recommit to full Inland Rail project after Parkes-to-Brisbane section scrapped
Late Monday night when most politicians were heading home or out to dinner, Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey has continued his efforts to put a human fast on the cost of the Government’s decision to axe the Inland Rail project north of Parkes.
Tamworth’s Lachlan Slade among regional stars chasing back-to-back wins for NSW
Tamworth’s Lachlan Slade will represent NSW in Saturday night’s PBR Australia Origin opener in Newcastle as the Blues chase back-to-back titles.
What's On
Confidence in uncertainty from long standing local businesses
Whether you’re unsure if your new home will be ready in time, or can’t figure out what’s wrong with the wifi, today’s Trades you can Trust local businesses are friends you can rely on when things are a bit uncertain.
Nominate now! We are looking for local trades and services businesses – from micro-businesses to major companies – to feature in our “Trades you can Trust” series. Really.
Events
Uniting NSW.ACT Home Care InformationEnds: June 2, 2026
Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: June 5, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: June 6, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: June 7, 2026- Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: June 12, 2026
Politics
Welcome Experience program expands to help regional councils tackle worker shortages
Regional councils across the New England and North West are set to receive extra support in attracting and retaining staff, following the expansion of the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program into local government.
Right to Repair discussion paper welcomed
Farmers could soon gain greater freedom to repair and service their own machinery, with the Federal Government proposing to extend Right to Repair laws to agriculture.
Transport planning assumptions unravel across all levels of government
In this New England Times investigation by RK Crosby, we look at how bad numbers, assumptions and guesses, and misrepresentations of old documents, have led to plans at all levels of government being not worth the paper they are printed on.
Community transport trial expands access to education and jobs across regional NSW
A new trial across regional New South Wales is set to broaden the role of community transport services, with the aim of helping more people access education, training and employment opportunities.
‘Almost didn’t survive’: the fraught path to parenthood
A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry hearing in Tamworth today will hear how rural families are disadvantaged ‘at every turn’ while trying to access fertility care.
Taylor mimics One Nation in Budget Reply speech that snubs regions
Critics say Angus Taylor’s budget reply speech exposed a Coalition mimicking One Nation rhetoric on “mass migration” while offering little detail, little vision, and little for regional Australia.
The fuel crunch is affecting daily life across our region, so we’re doing the one thing we can do, and helping people get the information they need so we can all make it through this together. Read more
Suggest a story – What are you worried about? What questions do you need answered? Tell us now so we can get the information you need.
If you run a business that offers a product or service people will be looking for in this uncertain time, we want to help you reach the community. Find out more
And if you just want to support us to keep reporting on these challenging issues, you can make a donation here.
Call to cut red tape amid fuel cost pressures
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson is calling for cuts to red tape to help small businesses and farmers facing rising fuel costs.
READ MORE FUEL CRUNCH STORIES >
Take the guesswork out of feeding livestock
Northern Tablelands producers are being urged to use feed testing to improve livestock nutrition as seasonal conditions continue deteriorating.
Nationals launch “Flick the Tick” petition
Nationals MPs have launched a “Flick the Tick” petition at Primex today, demanding stronger action and more funding to tackle the growing cattle tick threat across regional NSW.
Energy and Environment
‘Hoarding has stopped’: Albanese says fuel levels stable
Australia’s fuel supply will be stable until at least July, despite volatility in the oil market due to the Iran war, the prime minister has confirmed.
Bonshaw battery project split as solar farm construction pushes ahead
The proposed Bonshaw battery project has been acquired by Enervest, while construction continues on the separate 200MW solar farm south of Bonshaw still owned by Gaia.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Narrabri residents encouraged to take advantage of full fibre upgrade opportunity
The latest expansion of nbn full fibre technology is helping people in Narrabri keep pace with changing digital needs. Find out how you can upgrade now.
More Than Paint: quality, creativity and community
For Armidale business owner Andrew Cureton – known to many as Andy – quality workmanship and authenticity go hand in hand.
BUSINESS
Regional NSW faces ongoing skills and labour shortages
Regional NSW councils are battling persistent skills shortages, with workforce gaps threatening housing delivery, essential services and economic growth.
INDIGENOUS
Community invited to come together for Annual Armidale Bridge Walk
The Armidale community is being invited to come together for this year’s Annual Armidale Bridge Walk on Sunday, during National Reconciliation Week.
SPORT
Hazlewood’s champion Challengers smiling despite defeat
Josh Hazlewood’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru have taken pole position in the IPL playoffs despite losing heavily to Pat Cummins’ Sunrisers Hyderabad.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: Productivity gains come from getting the plumbing right
Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Productivity, writes that making the economy easier to move through by clearing delays and duplications will make it easier for business. The post Opinion: Productivity gains come from getting the plumbing right appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Celebrating New England Volunteer of the Year Awards
Armidale’s Nick Hanson has been named New England Volunteer of the Year for his long-standing community service with Vinnies.
The Welcome Experience for essential workers expands to Tenterfield
Essential workers relocating to the Northern New England region will now receive expanded support, with the NSW Government announcing the extension of The Welcome Experience to include the Tenterfield Shire from 1 July 2026.
