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.
Telstra upgrade to improve mobile coverage for Inverell community
Inverell residents, businesses and visitors are set to benefit from improved mobile connectivity, with Telstra upgrading the mobile base station serving the community this Tuesday.
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.
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.
Local News
New England cotton figures front and centre at industry conference
A Goondiwindi grower joins the Cotton Australia board, and four Narrabri professionals graduate from the industry’s top leadership program.
The Alternate Root cleans up at Business Uralla Awards
The Alternate Root was the big winner at the Business Uralla Awards on Friday night, with the host venue and its team collecting a string of major honours.
New Englanders invited to discuss renewable energy future
While much of the debate about the REZ is dominated by a few loud voices of opposition, this event is intended to be much less confrontational, a sensible discussion of the “moderate middle” about the opportunities and challenges that come with the renewable transition.
Have your say on Moree Plains Shire Council’s Local Approvals Policy
Moree Plains Shire Council is asking the community to help shape a policy that sets out when Council approval is needed for certain activities.
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
Armidale Farmers’ MarketEnds: August 9, 2026
New England Sporting Car Club KhanacrossEnds: August 9, 2026
ARC Closed Restricted Dressage CompetitionEnds: August 9, 2026
International Film FestivalEnds: August 9, 2026
Sunday Afternoon Concert in the GalleryEnds: August 9, 2026- International Film FestivalEnds: August 10, 2026
Politics
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.
Tenterfield council defends secrecy around audit committee minutes
Tenterfield residents want to know why audit committee minutes were kept secret. Council says the answer comes down to guidelines, and the growing threat of cyber attacks.
Reardon brings a lifetime of agriculture to NSW Farmers presidency
Rebecca Reardon has been elected NSW Farmers president, bringing a lifetime in agriculture and a commitment to strengthening the industry’s future for generations.
Armidale scientists turn satellites into nitrogen advice for cotton growers
Armidale researchers are turning satellite images into real-time fertiliser advice for cotton growers; in a project the University of New England hopes will change how the industry manages one of its biggest costs.
Energy and Environment
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.
Green light for Sundown Solar Farm
A 360-megawatt solar farm between Inverell and Glen Innes has been given the green light, right on schedule, with sheep set to keep grazing beneath the panels and 144,000 homes to be powered.
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
nbn removes high-speed plan requirement for FTTC fibre upgrades
More than 1,200 Tenterfield homes and businesses can now upgrade to nbn full fibre without taking out a high-speed broadband plan.
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.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: Freeing the standards rule book backs the people who build, wire, plumb, manufacture and repair
Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Productivity, writes this reform is a no brainer. The post Opinion: Freeing the standards rule book backs the people who build, wire, plumb, manufacture and repair appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
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.
