“This man knows nothing about segregation.” A Gomeroi Elder and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council have hit back after Gunnedah councillors voted to fly just one flag in the chamber.
Local politics
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.
Glen Innes Severn Council sacks GM, takes control of PIO
Glen Innes Severn Council has sacked its general manager, and the Mayor says councillors will now hold the organisation to account. Here’s what else changed at a pivotal meeting.
Gwydir Shire Mayor and Deputy returned
Gwydir Shire Council has confirmed its leadership team for the coming year, with Cr Tiffany Galvin re-elected as Mayor and Cr Sean Coleman re-elected as Deputy Mayor
Davis, Sparkes, survive Scott challenge in Glen Innes
David Scott put his name forward for both mayor and deputy mayor at Glen Innes Severn Council, and lost both, as Margot Davis and Carol Sparks retained the top jobs in for the next two years. Jen Philp takes over as deputy mayor in Uralla.
No challengers as three councils return mayors and deputies unopposed
Three New England councils, six elections, not a single challenger. But in Glen Innes, a councillor who came last in 2024 wants the mayor’s chair, and he’s interviewed himself about it.
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.
Youth takes the helm at Liverpool Plains
At 38, Charlie Simkin is Liverpool Plains Shire Council’s new mayor. He’s flagged waste, housing and infrastructure as priorities for the next two years, working alongside new Deputy Mayor Jason Allan.
