Pedestrian dies after being struck by cyclist in Moree
An 82-year-old man has died in hospital after being struck by a bicycle in Moree, with police appealing for witnesses and footage of the incident.
Updated waste app to make bin collections easier for Moree Plains residents
Moree Plains residents can now access bin collection reminders, recycling advice and waste service updates through an improved council app.
Gunnedah families face continued travel for maternity care amid hospital staffing shortages
Gunnedah families continue to travel for maternity care as staffing shortages prevent birthing services operating at the redeveloped hospital.
SBM26: Three types of well
Today we’re celebrating three local businesses that keep the New England well fed, well minded and well supported.
Local News
Ten Narrabri Shire community groups share $14,500 in council grants
Community groups across Narrabri Shire will be able to improve facilities, support families and deliver local events thanks to $14,500 in council funding.
Uralla water upgrades aim to protect supply and reduce waste for residents
Uralla residents are set to benefit from improved water security and fewer losses following upgrades to the town’s network.
Narrabri to host regional investment forum aimed at driving jobs and economic growth
Narrabri will host regional business and investment leaders this month to explore opportunities for economic growth, innovation and job creation.
Smaller banks baulk at regional branch plan
An alliance of regional banks and mutual funds has trashed an industry plan to use multi-bank hubs to salvage face-to-face banking in the bush, saying it will fail customers.
What's On
LONG READ >
Tough on crime, weak on details: how emotion rather than evidence drives justice reform
WEEKEND LONG READ: The NSW election is less than six months away, and both sides are selling ‘tough on crime’. The evidence says their tough slogans don’t make us safer. So why do they keep doing it?
Events
Annual Human Rights LectureEnds: October 15, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: October 18, 2026
The New England Community ShowcaseEnds: October 21, 2026
Holy Trinity Anglican Church Fete, Floral & Craft DisplayEnds: October 31, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 1, 2026
- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 15, 2026
Politics
Gunnedah petition calls for 24-hour police station
Gunnedah is petitioning for a 24-hour police station, but a council voice says the town already has 24-hour policing. Is a staffed station the best use of police?
Chaffey backs migration cut as refugee group warns of cost
Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey says the Coalition’s migration cuts would take pressure off local housing, roads, and schools. Refugee group SSI says halving the humanitarian intake would shut out thousands in need.
Tamworth’s Jeff Bacon joins One Nation upper house ticket
Shooters, then Nationals, now One Nation. Third time lucky, Tamworth gun maker Jeff Bacon has landed second on an upper house ticket promising to repeal NSW’s new firearm laws.
Anderson urges locals to shut the laptop and shop local
Rising costs and a slow economy are biting local businesses. Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson has a simple ask for October: shut the laptop and shop in town.
Tough on crime, weak on details: how emotion rather than evidence drives justice reform
WEEKEND LONG READ: The NSW election is less than six months away, and both sides are selling ‘tough on crime’. The evidence says their tough slogans don’t make us safer. So why do they keep doing it?
Armidale livestock unit celebrates 50 years
From a handful of traits to trillions of data points, an Armidale unit has spent 50 years reshaping Australian livestock. Now it is throwing a party, and auctioning a heifer.
Goat producers urged to have levy say
The goat levy hasn’t changed since 1997. Now producers face a vote that would more than double it. Here’s where the money would go, and why every vote counts.
Energy and Environment
Regional women rush clean energy course
Nearly 70 regional women applied in a single month. A new program is training women to help their communities shape the renewable energy rollout, and demand has been huge.
Origin walks away from Skye Ridge wind farm near Walcha
Origin has walked away from its 870MW Skye Ridge wind farm near Walcha, effective immediately, to double down on its Northern Tablelands project west of Armidale. But the move was no surprise.
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
Narrabri’s pink slug goes giant and global
It survived the Black Summer fires, it glows hot pink, and now the whole world is talking about it. Narrabri’s rare slug could soon get a giant monument and be the next Big Thing.
INDIGENOUS
Gunnedah petition demands Aboriginal flag in Council chamber
Gunnedah’s deputy mayor warned of “a reverse type of apartheid” before councillors voted to hang just one flag in the chamber. Now Aboriginal community members are fighting back with a petition.
SPORT
Armidale’s Narwan Eels defend under 17 boys title at Koori Knockout
Armidale club Narwan Eels have held on to their under-17 boys crown at the Koori Knockout, beating the Waterloo Storm Academy 22-10 in the grand final at Raymond Terrace on Monday, 5 October.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Begin Rant: Australian men are fundamentally good men
RK writes that in all the handwringing about the manosphere and DV, a simple truth gets lost: the vast majority of Australian men are genuinely good people. The post Begin Rant: Australian men are fundamentally good men appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Five Liverpool Plains health projects share in $21,000 grants
Five health and wellbeing projects, from aqua aerobics in Quirindi to a morning bootcamp at Werris Creek Public School, will share $21,000 in community grants.
SBM26: Fit, fabulous, and yum
Today we’re celebrating three local businesses that add a little extra to life, from a personal trainer with a difference, to a great place to stay, and a great take away to keep in mind for your next visit to Coffs.
