Armidale man chases alleged car thieves into hospital
An Armidale man chased two alleged car thieves into a packed hospital emergency department, wrestled a knife away and made a citizen’s arrest, before police charged the pair over the break-in.
Armidale artists unite for Bach Festival
An Armidale guitar duo and a poet are teaming up for a one-off show blending music and spoken word, with every dollar going to the 2027 New England Bach Festival.
Graeme Sait to deliver four-day Nutrition Farming workshop in Guyra
Internationally recognised regenerative farming educator Graeme Sait will return to the New England in September for a four-day workshop in Guyra.
The tax that built a black market
WEEKEND LONG READ: A federal tax has turned main streets into a battleground for organised crime, insurance hikes and arson. Canberra is still dismissing calls to cut the tobacco excise as a thought bubble.
Local News
Tamworth to lead the way as regional NSW’s first Special Entertainment Precinct trials begin
Tamworth will become regional NSW’s first centre to trial Special Entertainment Precincts, supporting live entertainment and the night-time economy.
Food, wine and a touch of Peter Allen set for big Tenterfield weekend
Tenterfield is gearing up for one of its busiest weekends of the year, with a brand new Spring Food and Wine Festival joining forces with the Peter Allen Festival over the October long weekend.
R.M.Williams announces partnership with Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft & Rodeo Association
R.M.Williams has partnered with the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft & Rodeo Association, building on an 80-year connection with Australian rodeo and regional communities.
Narrabri fire control centre to open doors to community
The NSW Rural Fire Service will open the doors of the new Narrabri Fire Control Centre to the community this Saturday.
What's On
LONG READ >
The tax that built a black market
WEEKEND LONG READ: A federal tax has turned main streets into a battleground for organised crime, insurance hikes and arson. Canberra is still dismissing calls to cut the tobacco excise as a thought bubble.
Events
High Country Theatre’s performance of “Lonely Love”Ends: August 23, 2026
Guyra Craft MarketEnds: August 29, 2026
Nemingha Community Garden Build a Wildlife Pond WorkshopEnds: August 29, 2026
Stained Glass Art WorkshopEnds: August 30, 2026
Weekly Women’s Tea & Talk hostedEnds: August 31, 2026
The Rusty PickupsEnds: September 3, 2026
Politics
Building inspectors give New England sites tick of approval
Just four fines from 32 building sites: New England’s builders have impressed state regulators during a compliance blitz that also swept through the Mid North Coast.
Joyce denies One Nation are ‘a pack of homophobes’
“You can absolutely bet I will not go.” Barnaby Joyce denies One Nation are homophobic, but won’t say if he backs Mardi Gras, only saying he won’t be there and he doesn’t have an opinion.
No water, no REZ: how Armidale is using the REZ as leverage to fix a decade-old problem
WEEKEND LONG READ: There’s an $800m price tag on getting water security for Armidale and Uralla, and ratepayers don’t have it Now the state wants a $24 billion energy zone built here, and Mayor Sam Coupland is using that need as leverage: no water, no REZ.
Hillvue Public Preschool opens as first new regional public preschool in 20 years
Tamworth has landed the first new public preschool built in regional NSW in more than 20 years, with Hillvue Public Preschool now open to 80 children a week.
Wee Waa Health Service extends opening hours after years of lobbying
Wee Waa Health Service is extending its hours to 7am to 10pm from October, more than three years after a staffing crunch forced them back. But the fight for a full emergency department isn’t over yet.
Biggest goat levy shakeup in 30 years
Goat producers are being urged to vote after workshops across the country backed the biggest shakeup to their industry levy since 1997, more than doubling what they pay per transaction.
New environmental standards, guide, leave farmers with more questions than answers
Farmers are being asked to work under a new set of national environmental rules that the NFF says is too complex and uncertain to use with confidence
Energy and Environment
Construction begins on new $1.2m pest insects research lab
Construction has begun on a new $1.2 million pest insect research laboratory in Tamworth to help farmers combat destructive agricultural pests.
Armidale takes major step forward on long-term water security
Armidale’s water security fight moves from council chambers to the planning system. A scoping report is in, SEARS have been requested, the clock is ticking on the REZ standoff, and construction could start in 2028.
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
Canola crush growth hinges on meal, not just oil
Australia could double its canola crush, but Rabobank says it all comes down to one thing: finding buyers for the leftover meal. NSW growers and graziers are in the mix.
INDIGENOUS
Funding to prevent violence through Aboriginal sport
A $625,000 fund is open to Aboriginal groups across NSW running sport programs aimed at preventing family and sexual violence, with applications closing in October.
SPORT
The Armidale School caps undefeated season with 39-0 win over King’s
The Armidale School’s First XV has gone the whole season without a loss, sealing an undefeated run and the AAGPS Third Grade Premiership with a 39-0 rout of King’s.
On engage now
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- Regional and rural Australians ‘left behind’ by telco services – new report
Mark A Gregory says that the ombudman's report into how to fix regional telecommunications are a good start. The post Regional and rural Australians ‘left behind’ by telco services – new report appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Ella Baché Armidale named ‘The Gold Ella’ National Salon of the Year
Ella Baché Armidale has taken out the top honour at the 2026 Ella Awards, winning ‘The Gold Ella’ National Salon of the Year as the skincare brand celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Narrabri Shire honoured for turning vandalism into art
A vandalism hotspot turned into public art, and it worked so well the tagging stopped. Narrabri Shire has picked up two Local Government Week awards, its fourth year running.
