Farm leaders tackle agriculture’s biggest challenges at NFF summit
Agriculture leaders gathered in Canberra to tackle global uncertainty, food security and growing competition for the nation’s agricultural land.
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.
Creativity comes alive across Armidale this October
Armidale’s CBD shuts down to traffic and opens up to art, music and karaoke as the Creative Streets Festival returns for three weeks of events this October.
Winter Blooming festival growing strong at NERAM
New England’s Winter Blooming Festival returns this August with three days of art, performance and celebration of the region’s diverse communities.
Local News
Armidale software company named among world’s best four by Xero
An Armidale software company built inside a local earthmoving business is one of just four finalists worldwide for Xero’s top small-business app award, up against some of the biggest names in the game.
AgQuip 2026 to bring increased traffic to Gunnedah
Motorists are advised to expect increased traffic in and around Gunnedah next week during the annual AgQuip 2026 field days.
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.
Million-selling New England author Bronnie Ware launches first novel
New England author Bronnie Ware, whose non-fiction books have sold more than one million copies, is turning her hand to fiction with the release of her first novel, Kookaburra.
What's On
LONG READ >
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.
Events
Drop-in social sewingEnds: August 20, 2026
Learn To DrawEnds: August 20, 2026
Student NightEnds: August 20, 2026
Drop-in social sewingEnds: August 21, 2026
Exhibition Opening NightEnds: August 21, 2026
High Country Theatre’s performance of “Lonely Love”Ends: August 21, 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.
PLC Armidale crowned champion at NSW Merino Wether Challenge
PLC Armidale students have taken top honours at the 2026 NSW Merino Wether Challenge in Dubbo, winning both statewide and regional titles.
Knee-jerk reaction to flawed ABC program may make food more expensive
In the continuing fallout from the ABC’s Four Corners investigation Duped, more highly experienced food industry professionals have come out and criticised the program, warning that a knee-jerk reaction from government could make food more expensive.
Energy and Environment
Data centres forced to pay their own way under reforms
Fast-tracked data centres will have to comply with standards on water and energy that the state government says are needed to protect local communities.
New project aims to give Southern New England’s farm dams a health check
Workshops at Kentucky and Uralla, demonstration sites and even carbon-monitoring floats, Southern New England Landcare wants your farm dam in better shape within 12 months.
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
Tamworth Skywalk nears completion ahead of grand opening
Tamworth’s newest tourism drawcard, the Tamworth Skywalk, will officially open to the public on Saturday, 29 August, giving locals and visitors their first chance to walk the elevated path through Victoria Park to the Oxley Scenic Lookout.
INDIGENOUS
Tamworth to host Aboriginal business leaders as NSW builds economic ‘Foundations of Tomorrow’
Aboriginal business leaders will gather in Tamworth next month to explore new opportunities for growth, government procurement and investment.
SPORT
Big scores mark round 17 of New England Rugby Union
Armidale Blues and Tamworth Magpies piled on the points in a high-scoring round 17 of the New England Rugby Union competition.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- QW: Do better Aunty
Until recent years I have been a strong advocate for the ABC. I still watch Joe O’Brien news. I was a regular panelist on The Drum. The ABC has exposed countless corruption scandals so has a very important role. That is why it must return to the high standards it once employed. From time to The post QW: Do better Aunty appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
New England communities celebrate RFBI Showcase Awards recognition
New England aged care workers and volunteers are among those recognised in RFBI’s annual Showcase Awards, celebrating excellence and dedication across the sector.
Nominations open for women in local government awards
Rising stars, mayors and general managers alike, nominations are open for the state’s top awards recognising women in local government.
