New Westmead accommodation aims to ease the burden on regional families
Families from the New England facing a hospital stay at Westmead now have somewhere to stay close to their sick child, with a new Ronald McDonald House facility open at the Children’s Hospital.
Undercount on census night could distort more than just funding
A university researcher says an inaccurate census count doesn’t just cost councils funding, it could distort the independent research regional Australia relies on to understand itself.
Narrabri Shire honoured for turning vandalism into art
A vandalism hotspot turned into public art, and it worked so well the tagging stopped. Narrabri Shire has picked up two Local Government Week awards, its fourth year running.
Wee Waa Health Service extends opening hours after years of lobbying
Wee Waa Health Service is extending its hours to 7am to 10pm from October, more than three years after a staffing crunch forced them back. But the fight for a full emergency department isn’t over yet.
Local News
Return help available for illegal farm workers, department says
Workers told the ABC they couldn’t afford to fly home. The Department of Home Affairs says return costs are usually covered, and help is available for those who need it.
Have your say on Moree’s off-leash dog park
Moree’s Webb Oval could soon be off-leash. Council wants your feedback on the concept plan before submissions close in September.
McLean Care to merge with Respect Group after months of turmoil
After a financial collapse, a failed audit and community anger over a century-old bequest, Inverell’s McLean Care has found a buyer. Here’s what the Respect Group merger means for residents, staff and the town.
Man charged after alleged knife-point break-ins and police pursuits
A man allegedly kicked in a door, held a resident’s neighbour off with a knife, then led police on two pursuits that ended in bushland near Yetman. Farmers helped track him down. Now he faces 10 charges.
What's On
LONG READ >
Duped by the ABC: Food fraud investigation may be rotten
The ABC’s food fraud special ‘Duped’ made Australians afraid of what’s in their fridge. A closer look at the evidence, the lab behind it, and the sources it relied on tells a very different story.
Events
International Film FestivalEnds: August 11, 2026- International Film FestivalEnds: August 12, 2026
Craft Your Own Vintage Keepsake JournalEnds: August 15, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: August 16, 2026
The Ladies Lounge – Celebrating Women of Rock & PopEnds: August 22, 2026
Nemingha Community Garden Build a Wildlife Pond WorkshopEnds: August 29, 2026
Politics
Saffin wins national Human Rights award
Tenterfield’s state member has won Labor’s top human rights honour. Nearly 72 and still “skiing down the hill on one ski,” Janelle Saffin’s fight has spanned four decades, Timor-Leste and Myanmar.
Joblink Plus Artist Bursary returns to support emerging artists
Applications are now open for the 2027 Joblink Plus Artist Bursary Program, which will support artists performing at the Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival.
New England REZ rollout caused ‘avoidable harm’
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has found the New England REZ rollout caused “avoidable harm” due to a lack of a coherent, enforceable, whole-of-government planning framework.
NSW Farmers moves to strip MLA of NLIS database project
NSW Farmers moved to ask the government to strip MLA of the NLIS database uplift project at last week’s conference, after years of what one delegate called “lip service” from the agency running it.
Regional councils claim historic win in national funding shake-up
A new national deal has just delivered a big funding win for councils. Here’s what mayors and MPs say it means for your rates, roads and jobs.
Grain groups combine for national advocacy strength
Social media excerpt: Three grower groups, one national voice. NSW Farmers, GrainGrowers and GPSA have signed pacts to tackle the toughest operating conditions grain growers have faced in years.
Southern Cross University to lead $4 million push to grow Australia’s own coffee industry
Southern Cross University researchers will lead Australia’s largest-ever coordinated coffee research program, a $4 million national initiative aimed at helping local growers claim a bigger slice of the nation’s coffee habit.
Energy and Environment
Uralla council calls for stronger local voice in REZ rollout
Uralla Shire Council says it backs the New England renewable zone, but wants a real seat at the table before more substations and transmission lines are locked into law.
Expanded solar rebate welcomed, batteries are the next step
In a flurry of announcements and changes in the renewable space announced this week are a number of big wins for mid-scale solar projects, including an expanded solar rebate scheme and $100m in concessional funding.
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
Regional Tech Hub shuts its doors after six years
It helped 80,000 households navigate patchy internet, the 3G shutdown and Triple Zero outages. Now the Regional Tech Hub has closed, after funding for the free service ran out.
INDIGENOUS
New initiative puts Aboriginal communities in the driver’s seat of licensing support
Transport for NSW is launching an Australian-first program training Aboriginal driving instructors to expand culturally safe licensing support statewide.
SPORT
$1.42m safety upgrade underway at Tamworth precinct
Work has begun on a $1.42 million project to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility at Tamworth’s Sports and Entertainment Precinct.
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- Denise’s Desk: Just Another Public Servant? Think Again.
Denise writes that somewhere along the way, the phrase public servant became a put-down. It's time to reclaim it. The post Denise’s Desk: Just Another Public Servant? Think Again. appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Nominations open for women in local government awards
Rising stars, mayors and general managers alike, nominations are open for the state’s top awards recognising women in local government.
ASC recognised for refugee pathways
As Armidale became a regional refugee home, a team from Armidale Secondary College rebuilt the pathways from school to work and study. Now their “Pathways to Belonging” program has earned a NSW Humanitarian Award.
