Council seeks direct talks with HNELHD over Gunnedah Hospital helipad
Gunnedah Shire Council is urging Hunter New England Local Health District to meet locally and reinstate the hospital helipad for emergency retrievals.
Dead heat: Boobooks and Reader’s Companion share Best Book Store crown
While the two businesses have different personalities, voters agreed they share one important quality: both have become treasured parts of Armidale’s cultural life.
Arts North West to transform regional CBDs with immersive night-time creative initiative
Arts North West will transform Tamworth and Armidale CBDs with immersive light, projection and public art experiences celebrating regional creativity after dark.
Wee Waa Show set to celebrate 90th event this August
The Wee Waa Show Society is putting the finishing touches on its 90th show, with the gates set to open on Friday, 14 August and Saturday, 15 August.
Local News
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
Humph 4 Tyres named Best Tyre Shop in the New England
Tenterfield’s Humph 4 Tyres has been voted the New England’s Best Tyre Shop in the 2026 Best in the New England awards. The locally owned and operated business, which fits everything from cars to trucks to tractors, earned strong praise from customers for owner Humphrey and his team’s honesty, hard work and unbeatable customer service.
From ‘Little Texas’ to the big stage: Chris Cobb unveils debut album
Chris Cobb will release his debut album More Questions Than Answers after turning a journey from Papua New Guinea into an emerging Australian country music career.
From the Highlands to the Plains: Arts North West opens Tamworth office and launches new website
Arts North West has opened a Tamworth office and launched a new website, expanding access to arts services across the New England North West.
What's On
Best IT Service in the New England?
Computer crashed? Wi-Fi playing up? Who always comes to the rescue? Which is the best IT Service business in the New England?
Events
Family Fun Day – Inverell MTBEnds: July 18, 2026
Seed SwapEnds: July 18, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: July 19, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: August 1, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: August 2, 2026
Politics
Squadron stops work on Boorolong wind farm as neighbouring Origin project pushes on
Squadron has quietly walked away from its Boorolong wind farm near Armidale, while Origin’s project next door pushes on. The transmission line the Coalition says they won’t build is right in the middle of it.
New crop chemical fee model could drive up costs, force products out
Fees to register farm chemicals could jump more than 200 per cent, and industry warns growers will pay for it, while some products may never reach Australian paddocks at all.
$2.7 million disaster threshold plan an “insult” to small councils
Damage to your whole town, still miss out on funding: that’s the risk if Canberra’s disaster threshold triples to $2.7 million. Barwon MP Roy Butler says it’s “an insult” to small councils.
Confusion surrounds new forest carbon credit method as opposition comes from all sides
Farmers say it’s unfair. Green groups call it a scam. The government calls it rigorous. A new forest carbon credit scheme has almost everyone disagreeing, just not about the same thing.
‘No resources’: One Nation defends uncosted policies
Barnaby Joyce has blamed deficient parliamentary resources for the lack of detail about how much its plans will cost.
Disease doesn’t wait for slow and inefficient bureaucracy, says CropLife
CropLife Australia says APVMA delays leave farmers without timely crop protection products amid rising biosecurity risks nationwide today.
Armidale scientist named to lead national cotton research body
An Armidale scientist and farmer who cut rice variety development timelines by nine years is now running the national body that funds cotton research. Meet the new CRDC boss.
Energy and Environment
Armidale community invited to help shape future water services
Armidale Regional Council is inviting residents to help shape future water, wastewater and stormwater services through community consultation now.
TAFE NSW Tamworth to get $950,000 clean energy training upgrade
TAFE NSW Tamworth is getting a $950,000 clean energy upgrade, part of a $25 million push to train the workforce that will build the New England REZ.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
From open homes to open hearts: Professionals Armidale’s community BBQ making a difference
A real estate agency might not be the first place you’d expect to find a community fundraising program, but Professionals Armidale is quietly becoming as well known for its local giving as…
Is your IT structured? Or just functioning?
Many regional businesses only review their IT support when problems escalate. But more businesses are reassessing how their technology systems are managed, and the story of what happened to Acacia Medical tells…
BUSINESS
Tenterfield Home Hardware nails Best Hardware title
The family-focused business earned strong support from across the community, with voters repeatedly highlighting the team’s willingness to go the extra mile to help customers, whether they were tackling a major renovation or simply looking for the right tool or garden product.
INDIGENOUS
50 Years of Deadly brings communities together across the New England
From bustling street marches and flag-raising ceremonies to art exhibitions, community barbecues, children’s activities and sporting events, communities across the New England embraced this year’s NAIDOC Week
SPORT
TAS students shine on national and world stage
While most students spent the school holidays relaxing, these TAS students were busy winning national and international titles in rugby, hockey and rowing.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: Lazy politics means no growth
Mal Peters writes that we need innovation that will drive growth while making sure farmers concerns are addressed. The post Opinion: Lazy politics means no growth appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
80 student volunteers to descend on Uralla, Deepwater for The Big Lift
Eighty student volunteers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will arrive in Uralla on Tuesday, 7 July, as part of The Big Lift’s 2026 Winter Trip across regional New South Wales and Queensland.
Peter Allen honoured with Blue Plaque at Armidale Folk Museum
An Armidale boy who grew up to become one of Australia’s most celebrated entertainers has been honoured with a Blue Plaque at the newly renovated Armidale Folk Museum.
