What a small business wants
Small business owners across NSW are being invited to help shape a new advisory service, with entrepreneur Mark Bouris appointed to lead a 90-day review
Volunteer shortage shuts Inverell mountain bike park
Inverell’s mountain bike park has closed after the local club failed to form a committee, with Council now seeking new operators, and the Mountain Bike Club pleading for new committee members.
Packed school holiday program across Narrabri Shire
Narrabri Shire Council has unveiled a packed school holiday program, with events, workshops and activities across the region.
Government proposes new supply powers as fuel crisis continues
Fuel crisis continues as government proposes supply powers and Chaffey calls for tax cut.
Local News
Interactive art exhibition launches in Armidale
A major new media exhibition featuring robotics, VR and interactive art opens at NERAM this weekend.
Future Energy Forum to focus on jobs, costs and growth
A major Armidale forum will examine what the energy transition means for New England businesses, from costs and jobs to infrastructure.
Police blitz targets retail theft in Tamworth
Five people have been charged after a three-day police crackdown on shoplifting in Tamworth.
Court clears Hills of Gold wind farm after long-running dispute
Years-long Hills of Gold fight ends with court approval after Tamworth Regional Council drops appeal
What's On
Discover New England’s best makers at Seasons
One of the region’s most beloved expos, Seasons of New England, returns this weekend with a clear purpose: to put the region’s makers where they belong, front and centre.
Do you make something here in the New England? We want to tell your story! Click here to find out more and submit your business to Made in the New England today.
Events
A Recital of Solo Piano WorksEnds: March 29, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: April 4, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: April 5, 2026
Outback Pops with MirusiaEnds: April 7, 2026
The Outback Pops – Glen InnesEnds: April 7, 2026
Politics
187 NSW petrol stations out of diesel as Big Oil asked to explain
Fuel shortages are deepening across New South Wales, with 187 service stations now out of diesel as the state government moves to force major fuel companies to reveal how supply is being distributed.
Nationals launch fuel tracker as diesel standards lowered to boost supply
The Nationals have launched a new online tool to track fuel shortages across regional Australia, as governments move to ease diesel standards in a bid to boost supply during the deepening fuel crisis.
Business cheers as landmark EU trade deal signed, but farmers sold short
Australian businesses are celebrating a long-awaited free trade deal with the EU, but farmers warn the agreement delivers little for agriculture and could hurt the sector for decades.
Push to cut rego costs for rural drivers introduced to Parliament
A proposal to cut vehicle registration costs for country drivers has been introduced to NSW Parliament, with Barwon MP Roy Butler arguing the current system unfairly penalises people living in rural areas.
Illegal e-bikes to be seized and crushed under new NSW laws
New laws allowing police to seize and destroy illegal e-bikes will be introduced to Parliament today, as the NSW Government moves to crack down on dangerous riding behaviour across the state.
Mayor warns Narrabri risks being “ripped off” again without accurate Census count
Concerns that Narrabri Shire was undercounted in the last Census have prompted a renewed push from Mayor Darrell Tiemens to ensure every resident is counted in 2026.
The fuel crunch is affecting daily life across our region, so we’re doing the one thing we can do, and helping people get the information they need so we can all make it through this together. Read more
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If you run a business that offers a product or service people will be looking for in this uncertain time, we want to help you reach the community. Find out more
And if you just want to support us to keep reporting on these challenging issues, you can make a donation here.
Shock at the petrol pump sparks electric vehicle surge
Enquiries about new and second-hand electric cars are setting records as motorists look for ways to avoid the rising price of petrol and diesel.
READ MORE FUEL CRUNCH STORIES >
Double hit: fuel and fertiliser crisis raises fears for winter crops
Fuel and fertiliser shortages are creating a “double hit” for farmers, with fears some may not plant crops this season.
Seasoned and retired farmers group to launch in Armidale
Farmers across the New England region are invited to attend the first meeting of the Armidale Seasoned and Retired Farmers Group, which will begin in April.
Energy and Environment
Fuel theft and aggression spikes at petrol stations
Service station operators are reporting a rise in fuel theft and customer anger as the cost of fuel continues to climb.
No answers, more talk fests for fuel crisis
Regional communities are facing more pain and few answers as governments continue to insist fuel supply remains secure, despite clear evidence of shortages, rising prices and growing pressure
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Fuel driven changes mean your website is more important than ever
The fuel crisis is changing how people spend, how they travel, and how they choose where to shop. Across the New England, that shift is already being felt by local businesses.
All-electric X Terra delivers a smarter way to explore
Stop worrying about the diesel price: spend more time off-grid without sacrificing comfort, the X Series RV Toy Hauler X Terra combines rugged touring capability with an all-electric fit-out designed to simplify…
BUSINESS
Handcrafted hair style and shampoo to debut at Seasons
Clan of Wild will make its first appearance at Seasons of New England this year, while Tenterfield Soap Co is bringing a new product.
INDIGENOUS
New toolkit to help New England councils strengthen Closing the Gap partnerships
Tamworth’s landmark Aboriginal partnership is being highlighted as NSW launches a new Closing the Gap toolkit for local councils.
SPORT
Men’s A Grade returns to Armidale hockey comp
Men’s A-Grade hockey has returned to the Armidale competition in spectacular form, with a strong crowd turning out for an exciting opening night under lights on Friday.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Australia’s gender pay gap persists and confidence alone won’t fix it
Shelley Friesen writes every year the conversation rolls around again. Women should negotiate harder. Women should invest earlier. Women should ask for more. And yes, financial confidence matters, but the bigger picture can’t be ignored. The post Australia’s gender pay gap persists and confidence alone won’t fix it appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
NarraBRIGHT shines bigger in 2026
Narrabri will light up for the sixth annual NarraBRIGHT on April 10 with the biggest light show it’s hosted yet. The community celebration aims to attract visitors from across the New England North West and beyond.
Satellite breakthrough promises whole-of-herd monitoring for livestock producers
A new satellite technology capable of monitoring entire livestock herds in real time could soon transform farming across the region
