Hundreds of people packed the public gallery of NSW Parliament on Thursday afternoon for a debate on a petition calling for the cancellation of the planned New England Renewable Energy Zone transmission line. Here’s what happened.
RK Crosby
RK Crosby is a broadcaster, journalist and pollster, and publisher of the New England Times.
Posted inEnergy, Local News
New England REZ key as batteries and renewables reshape the grid
The New England REZ is on track to be delivered and fully operational in 2034, upgraded to ‘anticipated’ in the national energy roadmap released today.
Posted inArmidale Regional, Energy, Glen Innes Severn Shire, NSW Politics, NSW Votes 2027, Uralla Shire
Local councils not consulted in Nationals plan to kill New England REZ
In a bizarre backflip, the Coalition has announced that if re-elected next March they would effectively abandon the New England REZ – and they didn’t consult councils before coming up with the destructive policy.
Posted inAgribusiness, Agriculture, Armidale, Health
Paraquat stays but with major new restrictions as regulator delivers verdict
Australia’s pesticide regulator has handed down a major decision on paraquat and diquat— it stays, but with tight new restrictions.
Posted inArmidale, Grants and funding, Parkes Electorate
Airport funding grants open as report warns regional aviation at a crossroads
Half of NSW’s regional airports are running at a loss. The latest funding round has opened — and the Member for Parkes is urging councils to get their applications in before 28 July.
Posted inCommunity development, Housing, NSW Politics, Quirindi
Decade-long push pays off as former Quirindi TAFE site goes to market
Empty for almost a decade, the old Quirindi TAFE site is finally going to market, and the Deputy Mayor reckons it could be the perfect spot for a retirement village.
Posted inCrime, General News, Phones and internet, Social issues and services, Torrington
Terrifying home invasion detail prompts phone action for Torrington
She has survived a terrifying home invasion, including watching her husband shoot their attacker to save their lives. Now 72 year old Di Blessing has turned to activist, kicking politicians into gear and getting the community together to fight for better phone service – with a previously unknown detail making the issue even more real.
Posted inAgriculture, Federal Politics, Local News, Money
CGT shake-up brings relief, but succession remains the real test for farmers
A major tax backdown has lifted the CGT threshold to $10 million, but farm groups say the real test is still to come: can families actually pass the farm on?
Posted inCompetitions and free stuff, National News
Do you have a future PM in the family?
Could your teenager be Australia’s next great political voice? A national competition wants students to write the speech they’d give as a newly elected MP.
Posted inInvestigation, Local News, Long Read, Narrabri, Politics, Roads and Infrastructure, Transport and Freight
Where do all the bad numbers come from?
In the next part of our New England Times investigation by RK Crosby, we delve more deeply to find out where the bad numbers come from.