Origin has walked away from its 870MW Skye Ridge wind farm near Walcha, effective immediately, to double down on its Northern Tablelands project west of Armidale. But the move was no surprise.
Walcha
Posted inLocal politics, Walcha
Eric Noakes stands down after a decade as Walcha’s mayor
Eric Noakes has handed Walcha’s mayoralty to Hyde Thomson, as his deputy steps aside amid questions over a tourism venture.
Posted inEmergency management, Good News, Tamworth, Woolbrook
Woolbrook firefighter honoured for six decades of service
One Woolbrook volunteer has been fighting fires for six decades. He was among more than 61 Tamworth-area firefighters honoured this weekend, as two brigades rolled out new trucks.
Posted inEnergy, Uralla, Walcha
Seven-hour power outage planned for Uralla, Walcha and surrounds
Residents from Yarrowyk to Yarrowitch face a seven-hour power outage on Tuesday as Essential Energy carries out critical maintenance ahead of bushfire season.
Posted inFundraiser, Walcha
Walcha publican rallies community to help flood-ravaged Nepal
Walcha publican Ganesh Sedhain has lost 11 friends and has more than 60 others missing after catastrophic flooding tore through his home region of Nepal, and is now turning his grief into action with a major community fundraiser.
Posted inFederal Politics, National News, New England Electorate, What's on, Woolbrook
New Englanders to get some answers from ‘King Rat’ Barnaby Joyce
Barnaby Joyce will address his dramatic defection from the Nationals and his new political partnership with Pauline Hanson in an Australian Story episode airing on Monday night.
Posted inAgriculture, Energy, Local News, NSW News, Walcha
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.
Posted inWalcha
Walcha growers claim Grand Champion title at 2026 Australian Fleece Competition
Commercial exhibitors Michael and Jenny Sweeney, of Tallara, Walcha, have won the Grand Champion title at the 2026 Australian Fleece Competition
Posted inEnergy, Walcha
Barnaby Joyce called out over false highway closure claim on wind farm
Barnaby Joyce said “someone’s gonna get killed” over a highway closure that was never actually planned. Now Vestas, Channel 7 and a fact-checking page have all called it out. Will he correct the record?
Posted inBest in the New England 2026, Business, Walcha
Cross Bros Butchery goes back-to-back as Best Butcher
Voters once again pointed to exceptional meat, outstanding customer service and unwavering community support, as why Cross Bros got their vote for Best Butcher.