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.
Rock formations push Narrabri’s Violet Street Bridge opening back to November
The replacement Violet Street Bridge in Narrabri will not open until mid-November, after workers uncovered huge rock formations under the riverbed during piling.
Supplementary feeding and vaccination critical to livestock health this winter
Northern Tablelands livestock producers are being urged to boost supplementary feeding and vaccinations as winter conditions heighten the risk of disease outbreaks.
Check your mailbox: ABS urges residents to prepare for the Census
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is urging residents to check their mailboxes for Census instructions ahead of Census night on Tuesday, 11 August.
Local News
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.
Tenterfield’s Thomas Rural recognised as New England’s best for rural supplies
The Tenterfield family-owned business received strong backing from farmers and landholders, who said its combination of practical experience, competitive pricing and personalised advice made it an invaluable part of the local agricultural community.
Funding for the heart of rural communities
Funding for the heart of rural communities is now available through Rabobank’s Rural Community Hub Program, with rural community organisations invited to seek support for upgrades to their local hall and hub facilities.
Could robots be the answer to New England’s crumbling roads?
Inverell is already using AI to spot cracks in its roads, but researchers are working on a robot that can find them and fix them on the spot, before they become potholes.
What's On
Best Winery/Brewery/Distillery in the New England?
Whether you enjoy a fine wine, craft beer or a locally made spirit, who deserves a toast? Which is the best Winery, Brewery or Distillery in the New England?
Events
The Wizard of OzEnds: July 30, 2026
Artist Talk: Julie EdgarEnds: July 31, 2026
Karaoke @ BoobooksEnds: July 31, 2026
Bliss Bomb @ the BowloEnds: July 31, 2026
Artist Talk: Angus NivisonEnds: August 1, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: August 1, 2026
Politics
Confirmed racist: Hanson loses appeal over ‘seriously offensive’ tweet
Four years on from her “piss off back to Pakistan” tweet, Pauline Hanson has lost her appeal and will have to live with the courts saying she is racist.
Enough is enough: Leaders plead for civility as abuse boils over
Online abuse and offline threats are pushing local leaders to breaking point, with three local politicians this week pushing back.
NSW Premier, Energy Minister face NSW Farmers conference
Fuel, crime, renewables and land maps took centre stage as Premier Chris Minns and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe faced NSW Farmers delegates, pledging action while farmers pressed them on infrastructure and regional concerns across NSW.
Farmers press health and welfare case for firearm suppressors
Protecting hearing and better animal welfare concerns drive demand to keep firearms suppressors at the NSW Farmers annual conference on Tuesday.
Coalition cherry-picks corporate insolvency to spruik payroll tax policy
The NSW Coalition says insolvencies prove Labor is failing business. The same data shows collapses actually fell last year. So which figure tells the real story?
Syngenta paraquat exit rattles farmers
Syngenta is pulling paraquat from Australian and New Zealand shelves, and farmers say it’s another tool gone from an already shrinking chemical toolbox.
Getting to a tipping point: NSW Farmers renewables debate not as clear cut as the vote
New England farmers packed the floor at NSW Farmers’ conference this week, but the fight wasn’t over wind and solar. It was over who pays, who decides, and where the transmission lines actually go.
Energy and Environment
Residents invited to have their say on Inverell battery project
Construction on the proposed Inverell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) could begin as early as 2028, with the project now moving toward a major public consultation stage next week.
Essential Energy advises of planned power outage for Bendemeer and surrounding areas
Essential Energy will carry out planned maintenance on Tuesday, 21 July, requiring a power outage affecting about 490 customers near Bendemeer.
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
The Bungalow and Ivy Leaf Chapel completes accommodation award trifecta
In a region renowned for its country hotels, motels, farm stays and boutique accommodation, the Tenterfield property again stood out thanks to an overwhelming show of support from guests who said it offers far more than just a place to sleep.
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
Inverell set to host its biggest Joeys Mini World Cup yet, but organiser calls for more local teams
Inverell will once again become a football village this spring, with the Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup set to run from Monday, 28 September to Sunday, 4 October.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Denise’s Desk: A Serious Party for Serious Times
Denise writes that what she witnessed in the national Australian Labor Party conference was the opposite of the slogans and outrage we see so often. It was the serious party we deserve. The post Denise’s Desk: A Serious Party for Serious Times appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Myers part of Australian first on world stage
An Armidale music teacher just helped make history in the Netherlands, becoming part of the first Australian band ever to crack the World Music Contest’s elite division.
A weekend of fire, iron and community: Eulah Creek’s big event returns
A beloved fixture on the north-west calendar is gearing up for its 28th year, with the Eulah Creek Vintage Machinery Day and Cast Iron Chef Weekend set to draw crowds to Beulah Park Hall once again.
