From fireplaces to frameworks: tradies that pay attention to detail
From keeping homes warm and safe through winter to building and repairing the spaces families rely on every day, these two hardworking local operators have built their businesses on quality workmanship, reliability and community spirit.
Glen Innes Mayor says more work needed on council’s financial sustainability
Mayor Margot Davis says Glen Innes Severn Council has improved transparency but faces ongoing financial sustainability challenges.
How a simple payphone game is helping Tenterfield reconnect
A nostalgic payphone game is bringing Tenterfield residents together, sparking new connections and renewed community engagement.
RFS volunteers honoured for decades of service
More than 30 Liverpool Range District RFS volunteers were recognised in Quirindi this week for almost 1,000 years’ service.
Local News
Julie Dowleans named Narrabri Shire’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year
Julie Dowleans has been named Narrabri Shire’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year as part of National Volunteer Week.
UNE expands nursing training with new clinical laboratories
UNE has expanded its nursing training capacity in Armidale, unveiling new state-of-the-art clinical labs to help address regional healthcare workforce shortages.
$30 million boost for key Bellingen detour roads after Waterfall Way closure
Summervilles and Gordonville roads will receive a $30 million upgrade after becoming critical detour routes during the Waterfall Way closure earlier this year.
Small grants available for community projects across Armidale region
Applications for the next round of Armidale Regional Council’s Community and Village Grants will open on Monday, 1 June 2026.
What's On
Confidence in uncertainty from long standing local businesses
Whether you’re unsure if your new home will be ready in time, or can’t figure out what’s wrong with the wifi, today’s Trades you can Trust local businesses are friends you can rely on when things are a bit uncertain.
Events
Uniting NSW.ACT Home Care InformationEnds: June 2, 2026
Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: June 5, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: June 6, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: June 7, 2026- Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: June 12, 2026
Politics
Welcome Experience program expands to help regional councils tackle worker shortages
Regional councils across the New England and North West are set to receive extra support in attracting and retaining staff, following the expansion of the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program into local government.
Right to Repair discussion paper welcomed
Farmers could soon gain greater freedom to repair and service their own machinery, with the Federal Government proposing to extend Right to Repair laws to agriculture.
Transport planning assumptions unravel across all levels of government
In this New England Times investigation by RK Crosby, we look at how bad numbers, assumptions and guesses, and misrepresentations of old documents, have led to plans at all levels of government being not worth the paper they are printed on.
Community transport trial expands access to education and jobs across regional NSW
A new trial across regional New South Wales is set to broaden the role of community transport services, with the aim of helping more people access education, training and employment opportunities.
‘Almost didn’t survive’: the fraught path to parenthood
A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry hearing in Tamworth today will hear how rural families are disadvantaged ‘at every turn’ while trying to access fertility care.
Taylor mimics One Nation in Budget Reply speech that snubs regions
Critics say Angus Taylor’s budget reply speech exposed a Coalition mimicking One Nation rhetoric on “mass migration” while offering little detail, little vision, and little for regional Australia.
The fuel crunch is affecting daily life across our region, so we’re doing the one thing we can do, and helping people get the information they need so we can all make it through this together. Read more
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Call to cut red tape amid fuel cost pressures
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson is calling for cuts to red tape to help small businesses and farmers facing rising fuel costs.
READ MORE FUEL CRUNCH STORIES >
Take the guesswork out of feeding livestock
Northern Tablelands producers are being urged to use feed testing to improve livestock nutrition as seasonal conditions continue deteriorating.
Nationals launch “Flick the Tick” petition
Nationals MPs have launched a “Flick the Tick” petition at Primex today, demanding stronger action and more funding to tackle the growing cattle tick threat across regional NSW.
Energy and Environment
Have your say on community batteries in the New England region
New England residents are being invited to help shape future community battery projects through local focus groups and interviews.
‘Hoarding has stopped’: Albanese says fuel levels stable
Australia’s fuel supply will be stable until at least July, despite volatility in the oil market due to the Iran war, the prime minister has confirmed.
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
Regional NSW faces ongoing skills and labour shortages
Regional NSW councils are battling persistent skills shortages, with workforce gaps threatening housing delivery, essential services and economic growth.
INDIGENOUS
Community invited to come together for Annual Armidale Bridge Walk
The Armidale community is being invited to come together for this year’s Annual Armidale Bridge Walk on Sunday, during National Reconciliation Week.
SPORT
Hazlewood’s champion Challengers smiling despite defeat
Josh Hazlewood’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru have taken pole position in the IPL playoffs despite losing heavily to Pat Cummins’ Sunrisers Hyderabad.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Marketing Clarity: AI as a Marketing Productivity Tool
Ingrid Rothe this week covers how AI is a great tool for allowing you to be more productive, but it is not your marketing strategy. The post Marketing Clarity: AI as a Marketing Productivity Tool appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Celebrating New England Volunteer of the Year Awards
Armidale’s Nick Hanson has been named New England Volunteer of the Year for his long-standing community service with Vinnies.
The Welcome Experience for essential workers expands to Tenterfield
Essential workers relocating to the Northern New England region will now receive expanded support, with the NSW Government announcing the extension of The Welcome Experience to include the Tenterfield Shire from 1 July 2026.
