Barraba pushes for health worker housing amid regional drive
Barraba says it’s missing out on health worker housing while Armidale gets a $200 million upgrade. The local MP wants that to change.
Rusty Pickups tour brings live music to four New England North West towns
A Queensland country band, four New England North West towns, four nights. And the one at the Baan Baa pub is free.
Two men charged in separate local machete incidents
Two men have been charged in separate incidents involving machetes, including an alleged home invasion in Narrabri and a high-speed police pursuit in Tamworth.
PLC Armidale students buck national NAPLAN slide
National NAPLAN scores are sliding, with one in three students missing basic benchmarks. PLC Armidale’s girls are heading the other way.
Local News
Local psychologist named among nation’s emerging agricultural leaders
A local clinical psychologist has been recognised as one of the nation’s most promising agricultural leaders, after being named a recipient of the 2026 AgriEmpower Scholarship Program.
Manufacturers to converge on Tamworth for Future Made Forum
Workforce shortages, rising costs, and a region fighting to secure its manufacturing future. Tamworth hosts national industry leaders next week as the Future Made Forum opens for its fourth year.
Inverell Singers mark ten years with anniversary concert
From nervous first rehearsals to a decade of song, the Inverell Singers are marking ten years the best way they know how, with a concert for the whole community.
Digital meters catch $364,000 in water leaks across Armidale, Guyra
Digital water meters have already caught $364,000 worth of leaks across Armidale and Guyra. With Level 2 restrictions in place and warmer weather on the way, Council says the savings are only going to grow.
What's On
LONG READ >
The tax that built a black market
WEEKEND LONG READ: A federal tax has turned main streets into a battleground for organised crime, insurance hikes and arson. Canberra is still dismissing calls to cut the tobacco excise as a thought bubble.
Events
Guyra Craft MarketEnds: August 29, 2026
Nemingha Community Garden Build a Wildlife Pond WorkshopEnds: August 29, 2026
Weekly Women’s Tea & Talk hostedEnds: August 31, 2026
The Rusty PickupsEnds: September 3, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: September 5, 2026
Spring Garden ExpoEnds: September 5, 2026
Politics
Moree Plains council releases confidential pool report, but reveals nothing new
Moree Plains Shire Council released the confidential report behind its pool decision – but it didn’t reveal anything the community didn’t already know.
Barnaby Joyce fails to clear up One Nation migration confusion
Barnaby Joyce said his colleague was wrong on One Nation’s migration numbers, then confirmed that PALM workers don’t count. But he refused to say what skilled workers the New England would have to go without.
New Englanders to get some answers from ‘King Rat’ Barnaby Joyce
Barnaby Joyce will address his dramatic defection from the Nationals and his new political partnership with Pauline Hanson in an Australian Story episode airing on Monday night.
One Nation’s real migration plans revealed to be bigger than Labor’s
One Nation’s promise to “slash” migration to 130,000 has become a policy to increase migration to at least 230,000, live on national TV.
The tax that built a black market
WEEKEND LONG READ: A federal tax has turned main streets into a battleground for organised crime, insurance hikes and arson. Canberra is still dismissing calls to cut the tobacco excise as a thought bubble.
Biggest goat levy shakeup in 30 years
Goat producers are being urged to vote after workshops across the country backed the biggest shakeup to their industry levy since 1997, more than doubling what they pay per transaction.
Graeme Sait to deliver four-day Nutrition Farming workshop in Guyra
Internationally recognised regenerative farming educator Graeme Sait will return to the New England in September for a four-day workshop in Guyra.
Energy and Environment
Uralla farmer leads charge as new guide maps out electrification options for regional business
Uralla producer Justin Hoad has already made the switch. Now a new guide is helping others follow his lead to electrify and save.
New environmental standards, guide, leave farmers with more questions than answers
Farmers are being asked to work under a new set of national environmental rules that the NFF says is too complex and uncertain to use with confidence
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
92 finalists named for New England North West Business Awards
From Tamworth to Walcha, 92 businesses and individuals are finalists in this year’s regional business awards. See the full list and find out who’s in the running.
INDIGENOUS
Funding to prevent violence through Aboriginal sport
A $625,000 fund is open to Aboriginal groups across NSW running sport programs aimed at preventing family and sexual violence, with applications closing in October.
SPORT
NERU finals field locked in after final round
Robb College ran up 85 points and Glen Innes women thumped Tamworth 64-0 in the final round, and now the New England Rugby Union Semi-finals draw is set. Here’s who plays who this weekend.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Letter: Make them earn your vote
Robyn writes that she understands why people are frustrated, but we need to take the time to look beyond what politicians say, and make them earn your vote. The post Letter: Make them earn your vote appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Hillgrove teen wins Tahs scholarship
Hillgrove’s Rocco Eastwood, 15, has landed the Waratahs Ian Campbell Scholarship and a training stint with a Sydney Premier club.
New England communities celebrate RFBI Showcase Awards recognition
New England aged care workers and volunteers are among those recognised in RFBI’s annual Showcase Awards, celebrating excellence and dedication across the sector.
