Huge reform in building laws, but more action required
New building laws passed in NSW Parliament promise faster, cheaper approvals. Uniplan Managing Director Ben Scott says it is welcome progress, but there’s more to do.
TAS students tackle City2Surf for rugby charity
A team of 165 The Armidale School students will tackle Sunday’s City2Surf, raising funds for the Hearts in Rugby Foundation.
Classical music comes to Guyra with community concert at Australian Poetry Hall of Fame
Guyra residents can enjoy an afternoon of world-class chamber music as acclaimed musicians Robert Harris and Robert Manley perform at the Hall.
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.
Local News
Armidale gears up for Polar Plunge at Dumaresq Dam
Armidale’s Polar Plunge returns to Dumaresq Dam on Sunday, 23 August, as organisers look to build on last year’s icy dip in support of local Special Olympics athletes.
Narrabri to host 2026 NSW Rural Women’s Gathering
Narrabri has been named host of this year’s Rural Women’s Gathering, bringing about 300 women from across regional, rural and remote New South Wales to the North Western NSW town.
Two nights, two vibes: Bellingen’s Beyond Jazz Weekender is back
Bellingen Memorial Hall will transform into a jazz club for two nights this month, with the Beyond Jazz Weekender returning for its second year on Friday, 14 August and Saturday, 15 August.
Woman charged in Moree after police drone assists in arrest
A police drone circling over Moree tracked a woman from a backyard shed straight into a domestic violence arrest.
Events
Opera Australia: “Don Giovanni”Ends: August 6, 2026
International Film FestivalEnds: August 7, 2026
Lonely Love @ Lodge TheatreEnds: August 7, 2026- International Film FestivalEnds: August 8, 2026
Armidale Farmers’ MarketEnds: August 9, 2026
New England Sporting Car Club KhanacrossEnds: August 9, 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
Clean energy body admits trust problem, proposes royalty scheme
The Clean Energy Council admits regional Australia doesn’t trust renewables, but it’s solution is not likely to fix the problem.
Aerial applicator fined for overspray at Bendemeer
A helicopter spraying company has been fined more than $70,000 after herbicide drifted onto trees at Bendemeer. The pilot admitted to spraying “by eye”.
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
Electric vehicle sales soar during fuel price crunch
Australian motorists are voting with their feet and wallets as electric cars drive a path through the market.
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
Daley makes right call after rewriting Origin legacy
Laurie Daley faced enormous criticism during his time as NSW coach but he ensured he finishes a winner after stepping down from the role.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: Neurodivergent Children Are Asking to Be Seen, Not Fixed
Laetitia Andrac from Understanding Zoe says too often, we talk about neurodiversity as though awareness alone is enough - in reality, it isn’t. The real problem is the disconnect in how support is organised. The post Opinion: Neurodivergent Children Are Asking to Be Seen, Not Fixed appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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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.
