Hanging Rock trout farm reels in grant to go off the grid
One of the region’s hidden jewels is going off the grid. The Hanging Rock trout farm behind The Drunken Trout Café has landed a grant to ditch diesel and power up with renewables.
Camps in the paddock: the REZ housing legacy that isn’t
WEEKEND LONG READ: New England was promised worker housing that would stay behind as homes. The REZ EIS delivers 2,060 beds in five temporary camps on paddocks a long way from anywhere.
$5.3 million upgrade for Kamilaroi Highway south of Gunnedah
Roadworks are coming to the Kamilaroi Highway south of Gunnedah, with 40 km/h limits and lane closures from Monday. Here’s what the $5.3 million upgrade means for your trips until April.
Tamworth gun buyback pushed back until after country music festival
Tamworth’s gun buyback has been pushed back so police can focus on the country music festival, but farmers say they are still in limbo with days to go before it starts statewide.
Local News
Bendemeer’s gates and Gravesend’s 106-year-old war memorial to get conservation work
For 106 years, the Gravesend War Memorial has honoured the district’s First World War servicemen. Now the obelisk, built by a Narrabri stonemason, is getting some long-term care.
Gold and silver bullion stolen from rural property near Emmaville
A safe packed with gold and silver bars has vanished from a shipping container south of Emmaville. Police want to know who cut the padlock, and where the bullion went.
Uralla’s community care service gets a new name and two electric vehicles
The Tablelands community transport service you know has a new name, and it’s going electric. Here’s what’s changing for Uralla Shire residents who rely on it.
$10,000 prize up for grabs for Narrabri’s standout teens
A $10,000 prize is waiting for one of Narrabri’s most remarkable teenagers. Know a young local who is brave, brilliant or giving back? Nominations are now open.
What's On
LONG READ >
Camps in the paddock: the REZ housing legacy that isn’t
WEEKEND LONG READ: New England was promised worker housing that would stay behind as homes. The REZ EIS delivers 2,060 beds in five temporary camps on paddocks a long way from anywhere.
Events
Spooky Halloween SkateEnds: October 31, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 1, 2026
Twilight Tales at Calala Cottage Museum – Garden Picnic and Museum ToursEnds: November 7, 2026
Twilight Tales at Calala Cottage Museum – Garden Picnic and Museum ToursEnds: November 7, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 15, 2026
Tenterfield Job ExpoEnds: November 20, 2026
Politics
Nationals blast buyback starting before the rules
The firearms buyback starts 2 November, and Grafton Police Station is one of the first collection points. The Nationals say the rules aren’t even written yet, and Tamworth’s music festival is in the way.
Chaffey urges kindness after Haines attack
Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey says words can hurt and words can heal, as parliament pays tribute to Dr Helen Haines. His message to Australians after the attack: “Let’s continue with kindness.”
Gun buyback starts before rules are set
The NSW gun buyback starts next week, but the rules on who can keep extra firearms aren’t final. In Armidale, Tamworth, Moree and Inverell, you can’t hand anything in until January.
Minister threatens to suspend Moree council, dodges safety questions
The Minister for Local Government is asking Moree Plains Shire Council why he shouldn’t put them into administration, but has not answered questions about why he failed to act to keep councillors and staff safe.
Fears for regional prostate cancer care
Regional men with prostate cancer could lose specialist nursing support when federal funding ends in June 2027. Jamie Chaffey wants a guarantee no community is left worse off.
Vegetable supplier admits price fixing
Australia’s second-largest fresh vegetable supplier has admitted fixing prices on broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce sold to ALDI. A $12 million penalty is proposed, but a judge has the final say.
Murrami rice farmer is new NFF vice president
A Murrami rice, sheep, and walnut farmer with an environmental law degree is the National Farmers’ Federation’s new vice president, as four new committee chairs are also named.
Farms of the Future bus hits 10,000km
A bus packed with virtual reality and farm tech has covered more than 10,000km, from Lismore to Broken Hill. Find out how your group or school can request a visit.
Energy and Environment
$8.28m for drought resilience, and more on offer
Women cutting their own hair because there wasn’t enough water. That’s the kind of drought hardship $8.28 million in new grants aims to tackle, and there’s more money still on offer.
Copeton Dam turns 50: the water behind Inverell’s economy
Copeton Dam marked 50 years since its official opening yesterday, Friday, 23 October, and Inverell Mayor Kate Dight says many people do not realise how much the community relies on it.
Why can’t we get this done? Oven Mountain latest renewable project to falter
The latest announcement of a renewable project to fail is the one that no one expected. Questions are being asked about whether the NSW Government is to blame, or if there is a bigger problem about how we do large infrastructure in this country.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Primary Health Network continues to support and invest in the Glen Innes community
Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to Glen Innes through continued investment in local healthcare services, community programs and innovative models of…
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!
BUSINESS
Coffee cup backflip: Labor to scrap mandate, but not until after the election
Labor will scrap its coffee cup mandate, but only after the election. Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh says cafés can’t wait that long, and he’s bringing a repeal bill next month.
INDIGENOUS
Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship opens fifth year
Five years, one $10,000 prize, and a platform for First Nations creatives. Applications for the 2027 Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship are open until 7 March.
SPORT
Gunnedah brothers claim bull riding glory in Tamworth
Two Gunnedah brothers, a Barraba rider, and a Walcha cowboy all got their moment in Tamworth. Then the Open final came down to just 0.10 of a point.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Begin Rant: Hoenig is going to lose Minns the election
RK Crosby writes that the threat to put Moree Plains Shire Council into administration provides a how-to-guide for the destruction of local government, and if Minns doesn't deal with Hoenig, it may cost him the election. The post Begin Rant: Hoenig is going to lose Minns the election appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
SBM26: Better health, getting the job done and traditional know-how
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three New England businesses making a practical difference in their communities: an Inverell physiotherapy practice bringing personalised healthcare closer to home, an Armidale excavation business tackling the smaller jobs others may overlook, and a traditional chimney sweep offering experienced service and free advice to help keep local homes…
SBM26: Handmade treasures, personalised support and creative inspiration
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three organisations making a difference through creativity and connection: an Armidale shop bringing together unique creations from independent makers, a Coffs Harbour disability support provider focused on individual needs and genuine relationships, and a volunteer-run Forster gallery offering exhibitions, workshops and opportunities for everyone to explore their creativity.
