‘Basics’ budget the start of Labor state election pitch
In his government’s last budget before a state election, the NSW treasurer is looking to sell a message of responsibility and basic service delivery.
Glen Innes, Inverell adopts budget and long-term financial plan
Two New England councils, two very different budgets. Inverell holds steady with no service cuts, while Glen Innes Severn locks in a 48.3 per cent rate rise over three years.
New shade coming to Lions Park playground
Lions Park’s playground is getting a shade structure at last, thanks to cooperation between Inverell Shire Council and the Inverell Lions Club.
New England health initiatives share in funding
From Indigenous maternal care to emergency patient retrievals, a number of New England health organisations are sharing in new charitable foundation funding.
Local News
Varroa mite reality sinks in, calls for managed pollination plans
Bee industry leaders say free pollination is gone for good, and growers everywhere need to start paying for it.
Regional NSW water investment critical for New England growth
Regional cities across the North Coast, Mid North Coast and New England are urging urgent water investment to sustain growth.
Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship names New England finalists for 2026 program
Wallabadah designer Robbie Hartigan and West Tamworth musician Aimee Hannan are among finalists in the 2026 Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship.
Crime Stoppers and NSW Police engage with Armidale community on crime prevention
Crime Stoppers NSW and NSW Police visited Armidale today to engage with the local community and promote crime prevention and reporting.
Events
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: June 21, 2026
Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: June 26, 2026- Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: July 3, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: July 4, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: July 5, 2026
Politics
Hanson’s Press Club speech: the crib notes
If you don’t feel like listening to a 50 minute speech, we’ve made a brief set of notes of every major topic covered in Pauline Hanson’s first ever Press Club Address.
Hanson defies protest to call for ‘monocultural’ nation
A mid-speech protest has marred Pauline Hanson’s first address to the National Press Club after decades in politics.
Anderson puts Labor on notice ahead of NSW Budget
Roads, hospitals, fire stations, mobile coverage and a new school for Moore Creek — the Member for Tamworth has put Labor on notice ahead of next Tuesday’s NSW Budget.
Tamworth MP pushes for return of mobile blackspot program
Residents in Werris Creek, Manilla and other centres across the region are still waiting for reliable mobile coverage. Now Kevin Anderson is pushing hard for the return of a program that once fixed exactly this problem.
Do the work: Local MP leads call for evidence in Government decisions
Part two of our Bad Numbers investigation: one local MP’s push to require evidence and consultation before any bill passes NSW Parliament, to fix a problem they’ve known about for decades.
Somerton poultry farm awarded $500,000 grant for innovative water storage project
A Somerton poultry farm has secured a $500,000 grant to trial an innovative water storage system improving water security.
Drought and rising costs send New England farmer confidence to record lows
Farmer confidence across the New England North West has plunged to its lowest level in recent memory, with drought and surging input costs hitting producers harder than anywhere else in New South Wales, new survey data shows.
Energy and Environment
Uralla shire water restrictions eased to Level 1
Uralla Shire Council has eased water restrictions to Level 1 for the townships of Uralla and Bundarra following recent rainfall.
Solar farm set for approval as community gets final say
A 360 megawatt solar farm east of Inverell — with sheep still grazing under the panels — is heading for approval. But locals have until 8 July to have their say, with a public meeting to be held on 1 July in Elsmore.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
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…
Narrabri residents encouraged to take advantage of full fibre upgrade opportunity
The latest expansion of nbn full fibre technology is helping people in Narrabri keep pace with changing digital needs. Find out how you can upgrade now.
BUSINESS
Tourism forum to highlight opportunities for growth across regional NSW
Tourism, business and government leaders will meet in Tenterfield to explore opportunities to grow regional economies through tourism investment.
INDIGENOUS
NAIDOC basketball gala day returns to Armidale
An Olympic medallist, free basketball competitions and cultural celebrations — Armidale’s NAIDOC Deadly 3×3 Gala Day is back on 9 July and everyone is welcome.
SPORT
‘Be remembered for all-time’: Blues urged to rise up
Coach Laurie Daley says the Blues must approach the game-three decider in Brisbane as a challenge after they missed wrapping up State of Origin in Melbourne.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Begin Rant: Righto Pauline, let’s fire the liar
RK Crosby is in furious agreement with Pauline Hanson: we absolutely should fire the liar. The post Begin Rant: Righto Pauline, let’s fire the liar appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
Tamworth’s No. 1 Oval gets a modern makeover
Tamworth’s No. 1 Oval now has a pavilion to match — modern changerooms, better amenities, and a focus on getting more women and girls on the field.
Community rallies behind NESS’s Winter Warmth Drive
As temperatures continue to drop across the region, New England Support Services (NESS) is calling on the community to help ensure nobody faces winter without a warm blanket.
