New kids on the block bring big plans for Armidale
The Alley is promising major investment as it prepares to take over Armidaleโs bowling and entertainment venue.
Saffin defends regional ministers after confirming administrative error
Janelle Saffin says the numbers back up what she told budget estimates all along, it was never misuse, just a mix-up over which budget line her Sydney travel came from.
Tamworth residents warned of smoke during RFS training exercise
Tamworth residents can expect to see more fire trucks and smoke around the city on Sunday as NSW Rural Fire Service crews carry out a major district training exercise.
Tamworth replaces 64 ageing timber bridges in major infrastructure milestone
Tamworth Regional Council has replaced 64 ageing timber bridges, marking a major milestone in its long-term regional transport infrastructure program.
Local News
NEGS Armidale to honour former principal Dr Jan Milburn at special morning tea
Armidale’s NEGS is inviting alumni, former staff and regional families back to campus next month to celebrate the legacy of Dr Jan Milburn OAM, who led the school as principal for 16 years.
GISC shows little confidence in management at extraordinary meeting
Glen Innes Severn councillors reworked the response to the proposed Performance Improvement Order, heard the finance team is “quietly optimistic” of a clean audit, then went behind closed doors to discuss “an urgent staffing matter”.
CCTV released after string of Tamworth break-ins and alleged kidnapping
Police have released CCTV images as they investigate a string of break-ins, vehicle thefts and an alleged kidnapping across Tamworth earlier this week.
Rivers of antimony: Hillgrove Mine officially reopened
Australia’s oldest new critical minerals mine is up and running near Armidale, expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Locals say it’s bringing families back to the village, and antimony for solar panels is just the start.
What's On
LONG READ >
The real climate policy threat to Australia’s agricultural land
WEEKEND LONG READ: Australia’s system of carbon credits is swallowing up millions of hectares of prime farming land and locking it up for a century, while polluters like Woodside and Chevron look clean on paper. Farmers, investors and economists all want it fixed.
Events
The Organist Entertains – David BaileyEnds: September 12, 2026
The Organist Entertains โ David BaileyEnds: September 12, 2026
Bachianas: EphenStephen and Sarah LawrenceEnds: September 12, 2026
September Art Gallery Exhibition openingEnds: September 13, 2026
Weekly Womenโs Tea & TalkEnds: September 14, 2026
I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane StoryEnds: September 16, 2026
Politics
Coalition ramps up attack on Saffin over expenses
“One night, out of a year,” she said of a Ballina hotel stay. Now the Coalition is dragging Minister Janelle Saffin to the Auditor General to explain that and dozens of other travel claims that may not be right.
One down, 10 to go: Webb re-elected Mayor in Tamworth
Eleven New England councils choose their mayor within a month. Tamworth’s result is in โ the 5-4 split that’s ruled council for two years just held again. A challenge is confirmed for Gunnedah. Who’s next?
F4CA report says farmers carry industry’s climate load
Farmers are already propping up Australia’s climate accounts for free, while coal, gas and oil buy their way out of cutting pollution at the source, according to a new report from Farmers for Climate Action.
Chaffey urges tobacco excise cut to break black market’s grip on New England
Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey says a 30 per cent rise in tobacco use proves Labor’s approach has failed, as he pushes an 80 per cent excise cut to smash the New England North West’s black market.
Glen Innes Severn Council to consider response to state performance order
Glen Innes Severn Council faces a make-or-break meeting this week, as councillors decide how to respond to a state order over financial management failures dating back to 2022.
Boggabilla agricultural leader Rebecca Fing named 2027 Nuffield Scholar
Boggabillaโs Rebecca Fing will take her farm safety research overseas after being named a 2027 Nuffield Scholar.
New England households to benefit from energy support funding
New England households will get help cutting energy bills, with Southern New England Landcare sharing $4.7 million in state funding.
Energy and Environment
Guyra water treatment upgrades bolster blue-green algae preparations
Guyraโs drinking water supply is better prepared for blue-green algae season following major upgrades to the townโs water treatment plant.
Inverell Council to renew Yetman’s water mains
Yetman’s water mains have been breaking down for decades. Inverell Shire Council has now signed off on a $485,853 fix for the ageing asbestos cement network.
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 asโฆ
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 tellsโฆ
BUSINESS
Agribusiness group warns pesticide fee hike will push up grocery prices
ndependent analysis says a looming pesticide fee hike could shrink farmers’ access to new products and push grocery prices even higher. Here’s the industry’s warning.
INDIGENOUS
Anฤwan language reawakens at UNE
Lost to colonisation, kept alive by a decade of research and a handful of archival recordings, the Anฤwan language is being spoken at UNE again, every Thursday morning.
SPORT
World Tennis Series returning to Tamworth
Tamworth will welcome international tennis players back to the city next month, with the Capital of Country International returning for a second year.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Begin rant: Growth means more than moving on
RK Crosby has been reflecting on the Armidale Secondary College series from 2023, and says we need to be brave enough to say stop. The post Begin rant: Growth means more than moving on appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Tamworth stars to honour Dolly Parton with tribute concert
Tamworth’s country music royalty are gathering for a Dolly Parton tribute concert at next year’s TCMF, with ticket sales supporting her local literacy legacy.
Vote now to send Tamworth clubman to AFL grand final
He’s played, coached and manned the barbecue for the Tamworth Swans for three decades. Now Paul Kelly needs your vote to make the AFL Grand Final.
