Nominations are now open for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, with every council across the country calling for locals to help recognise the people and groups who make their communities better places to live.
Kath Jacobs
Kath Jacobs is a senior journalist.
Posted inArmidale, Energy, Regional Development
150 jobs and helping to lower electricity prices – Wongalea BESS seeks local feedback
Up to 150 jobs could be created during construction of a major new renewable energy project proposed for Armidale, with residents invited to have their say.
Posted inPolitics, Roads and Infrastructure, Tamworth
Default rural speed limit could drop to 80km/h under new road safety proposal
A proposal to reduce the default speed limit on roads outside built-up areas to 80 kilometres per hour has sparked debate across regional Australia, with local leaders calling for investment in safer roads rather than slower travel.
Posted inArmidale, Awareness Events, Guyra, Uralla, Water
It’s the week to learn how water works (literally)
New Englanders are being urged to rethink how they use water and to uncover the hidden ways it flows through everyday life as part of National Water Week 2025
Posted inArmidale, Armidale Regional, Local politics, Regional Development
Council seeks over a million dollars to persist with controversial rail trail
Armidale Regional Council will this week vote on whether to spend more than a million dollars of ratepayer funds to keep the New England Rail Trail alive, despite repeated funding rejections and ongoing community division over the project.
Posted inAgriculture, New England Surrounds
New England neighbour new President of NFF
Queensland farmer Hamish McIntyre has been elected as the new President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), becoming the organisation’s 15th leader.
Posted inArmidale, Community development, Housing
Homes NSW out of Duval High housing deal
Homes NSW has formally declined to acquire the Duval High site for housing development, pulling out of the proposal.
Posted inCommunity action, Good News, Tamworth, What's on
Three tonnes of clothing for free in Talking Threads community day
Tamworth locals will have the chance to pick up free clothing and enjoy a community barbecue when Talking Threads hosts its second Community Day of the year later this month.
Posted inLocal politics, Narrabri, Water
Narrabri Splash Pad open this weekend in slight relief from water restrictions
A small bit of relief is finally flowing for Narrabri residents, with NSW Health approving a plan to blend water from the Tibbereena Street bore with water from the Elizabeth […]
Posted inArts, Boggabri, Fundraiser, Good News, What's on
Sam Snape celebrates real life on the land in debut album
Boggabri singer-songwriter Sam Snape releases his debut album Good Things today – a fitting title for a project that’s been nearly two years in the making and filled with stories from real life on the land.