Farmers welcome confidence rebound, but new cost pressures loom
Farmer confidence is bouncing back, but rising fuel and fertiliser costs, diesel security fears and a backpacker visa freeze could put that recovery at risk.
Man charged after West Tamworth road rage crash
A parked-car argument, an alleged pursuit through West Tamworth streets, and a ute crashing into a home. A 43-year-old man now faces five charges.
Man charged with murder after body found at Mole River
A man has been charged with murder after a woman’s body was found at a fire-damaged Mole River property following a reported domestic violence incident.
Gala Day for Dogs returns to Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park
Dogs and their owners across the New England North West are gearing up for the return of Gala Day for Dogs, a free, family-friendly celebration of dogs, responsible pet ownership and community, set to be held at Bicentennial Park on Sunday, 27 September.
Local News
PLC Armidale hockey teams crowned IGSA champions
PLC Armidale’s senior and junior hockey teams have been crowned 2026 IGSA champions after impressive Grand Final victories in Sydney.
RFS urges communities to prepare for bushfire season
Communities are being urged to prepare their homes and families for the bushfire season, with local Rural Fire Service brigades hosting Get Ready Weekend events.
Armidale creatives push for physical coworking hub as group hits 360 members
An Armidale businesswoman has built a 360-member community for local creatives and business owners in just a few months, and now has the region’s mayor and council on board to help it grow further.
Grants open for local defibrillators
A defibrillator can be the difference between life and death within eight minutes of cardiac arrest. Tamworth area sporting clubs have until 7 October to apply for grants to get one.
What's On
LONG READ >
Demographic bulimia: why immigration is a stuck-in-the-muck issue
Labor, the Coalition and One Nation all say they want fewer migrants. Australia’s economy, its farms and its own refugee-resettlement towns all need more of them. It’s a clash between electoral populism and policy reality with no solution.
Events
Tenterfield Womens TalkEnds: September 21, 2026
Drake Village MarketsEnds: September 26, 2026
Bundarra CWA Spring MarketsEnds: September 26, 2026
Weekly Women’s Tea & TalkEnds: September 28, 2026
Railway MarketsEnds: October 3, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: October 3, 2026
Politics
Crown land reforms pass NSW Parliament after land rights fight
NSW Parliament has passed sweeping Crown land reforms, but only after last minute amendments to address Aboriginal land council concerns over 44,000 unresolved land claims.
Nationals slam Federal road toll data
882 lives lost on Australian roads so far this year. The federal Coalition says it is the worst result since governments vowed to halve the road toll, and Labor still has no plan to replace.
Deputy mayor under fire for ‘working mum’ remarks
New deputy mayor Rob Hooke says his predecessor couldn’t do the job because she’s a “working mum”. She’s hit back, and revealed the real reason she stepped aside.
Pearse, Tighe returned unopposed in Moree Plains
Moree Plains has its leadership locked in for another two years, with Mayor Susannah Pearse and Deputy Mayor Wayne Tighe both returned unopposed. Next week, four more New England councils go to a mayoral vote.
Fuller returned in Gunnedah as Tiemens unopposed in Narrabri
Councillors in Gunnedah and Narrabri have selected their leadership teams for the next two years, but the neighbouring councils took markedly different paths to their results.
Boggabilla agricultural leader Rebecca Fing named 2027 Nuffield Scholar
Boggabilla’s Rebecca Fing will take her farm safety research overseas after being named a 2027 Nuffield Scholar.
New England households to benefit from energy support funding
New England households will get help cutting energy bills, with Southern New England Landcare sharing $4.7 million in state funding.
Energy and Environment
Glen Innes Severn calls for fair REZ funding model
Glen Innes Severn Council is pushing for a fairer funding model to share New England Renewable Energy Zone benefits across communities.
F4CA report says farmers carry industry’s climate load
Farmers are already propping up Australia’s climate accounts for free, while coal, gas and oil buy their way out of cutting pollution at the source, according to a new report from Farmers for Climate Action.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
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!
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…
BUSINESS
Armidale cake shop marks first birthday with a year’s worth of sweet memories
A shopfront that began as a nervous experiment on Saturdays is about to celebrate its first birthday, with the woman behind New England Cake Co. crediting the Armidale community for turning a side hustle into a full-time business.
INDIGENOUS
Inverell’s Tahnee Capon turns hardship into hope through education
A Kamilaroi woman who spent a year couch surfing before living in a converted bus has been named a 2026 Adult Learners Week Ambassador, crediting study with turning her life around from homelessness to a career helping others in Inverell.
SPORT
PLC Armidale sends three teams to Sydney for IGSA finals
PLC Armidale is sending three hockey and netball teams to Sydney to compete in the 2026 IGSA finals series this weekend.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Kate McGrath Responds to Comments Regarding Working Mothers in Leadership
Read the full statement of Cr Kate McGrath in response to the "working mum" comment made by Cr Rob Hooke, republished with permission. The post Kate McGrath Responds to Comments Regarding Working Mothers in Leadership appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Tamworth Regional Sports Awards nominations open
Nominations will open this week for the 2026 Tamworth Regional Sports Awards, recognising the region’s leading athletes, coaches, teams, volunteers and sporting organisations.
Tamworth ambulance staff honoured for courage and outstanding service
NSW Ambulance staff have been honoured in Tamworth for courage, clinical excellence and dedication while responding to emergencies across the region.
