Aerial applicator fined for pesticide overspray at Bendemeer
A helicopter spraying company has been fined more than $70,000 after herbicide drifted onto trees at Bendemeer. The pilot admitted to spraying “by eye”.
Uralla adopts renewable energy action plan after community consultation
Uralla Shire Council has adopted a Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan to guide its advocacy, planning and preparedness as renewable energy development accelerates across the region.
Letterpress printing comes to A Winter’s Night in Tamworth
A working letterpress is about to hit the street in Tamworth, printing live in front of the crowd at A Winter’s Night this Saturday.
Ron Vickress awarded Armidale’s highest honour
He was 17 when he joined the Navy, watched Japan surrender in Tokyo Bay, and never stopped serving his community since. Now, at 101, Armidale is giving Ron Vickress the keys to the city.
Local News
Inverell strengthens advocacy for apprenticeship and trainee support
Council will strengthen advocacy for apprenticeship support after local businesses identified barriers to attracting, training and retaining regional apprentices through consultation.
Kentucky’s Dobson’s Distillery toasts victory as Best Winery, Brewery or Distillery
This small Kentucky distillery has become one of the region’s standout destinations—and one that’s putting New England spirits firmly on the map.
Narrabri farmers offered free help with succession planning
When should farming families start talking about who takes over the property? A free Narrabri session says the answer is: earlier than you think.
Regional councils claim historic win in national funding shake-up
A new national deal has just delivered a big funding win for councils. Here’s what mayors and MPs say it means for your rates, roads and jobs.
What's On
Best Second Hand Store in the New England?
Hunting for bargains, vintage treasures or hidden gems? Which second-hand store is always worth a visit? Which is the best Second Hand Store in the New England?
Events
The Wizard of OzEnds: July 30, 2026
Artist Talk: Julie EdgarEnds: July 31, 2026
Karaoke @ BoobooksEnds: July 31, 2026
Bliss Bomb @ the BowloEnds: July 31, 2026
Artist Talk: Angus NivisonEnds: August 1, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: August 1, 2026
Politics
Tenterfield council defends secrecy around audit committee minutes
Tenterfield residents want to know why audit committee minutes were kept secret. Council says the answer comes down to guidelines, and the growing threat of cyber attacks.
Confirmed racist: Hanson loses appeal over ‘seriously offensive’ tweet
Four years on from her “piss off back to Pakistan” tweet, Pauline Hanson has lost her appeal and will have to live with the courts saying she is racist.
Enough is enough: Leaders plead for civility as abuse boils over
Online abuse and offline threats are pushing local leaders to breaking point, with three local politicians this week pushing back.
NSW Premier, Energy Minister face NSW Farmers conference
Fuel, crime, renewables and land maps took centre stage as Premier Chris Minns and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe faced NSW Farmers delegates, pledging action while farmers pressed them on infrastructure and regional concerns across NSW.
Farmers press health and welfare case for firearm suppressors
Protecting hearing and better animal welfare concerns drive demand to keep firearms suppressors at the NSW Farmers annual conference on Tuesday.
New England researchers chase cotton breakthroughs with five funded projects
Mite-filled capsules dropped by drone, satellite dashboards, beans as fertiliser: five New England projects have landed almost half of the country’s cotton innovation grants.
Syngenta paraquat exit rattles farmers
Syngenta is pulling paraquat from Australian and New Zealand shelves, and farmers say it’s another tool gone from an already shrinking chemical toolbox.
Energy and Environment
Residents invited to have their say on Inverell battery project
Construction on the proposed Inverell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) could begin as early as 2028, with the project now moving toward a major public consultation stage next week.
Getting to a tipping point: NSW Farmers renewables debate not as clear cut as the vote
New England farmers packed the floor at NSW Farmers’ conference this week, but the fight wasn’t over wind and solar. It was over who pays, who decides, and where the transmission lines actually go.
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
Tenterfield’s Thomas Rural recognised as New England’s best for rural supplies
The Tenterfield family-owned business received strong backing from farmers and landholders, who said its combination of practical experience, competitive pricing and personalised advice made it an invaluable part of the local agricultural community.
INDIGENOUS
New initiative puts Aboriginal communities in the driver’s seat of licensing support
Transport for NSW is launching an Australian-first program training Aboriginal driving instructors to expand culturally safe licensing support statewide.
SPORT
Inverell set to host its biggest Joeys Mini World Cup yet, but organiser calls for more local teams
Inverell will once again become a football village this spring, with the Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup set to run from Monday, 28 September to Sunday, 4 October.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Denise’s Desk: A Serious Party for Serious Times
Denise writes that what she witnessed in the national Australian Labor Party conference was the opposite of the slogans and outrage we see so often. It was the serious party we deserve. The post Denise’s Desk: A Serious Party for Serious Times appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Myers part of Australian first on world stage
An Armidale music teacher just helped make history in the Netherlands, becoming part of the first Australian band ever to crack the World Music Contest’s elite division.
A weekend of fire, iron and community: Eulah Creek’s big event returns
A beloved fixture on the north-west calendar is gearing up for its 28th year, with the Eulah Creek Vintage Machinery Day and Cast Iron Chef Weekend set to draw crowds to Beulah Park Hall once again.
