Two New England councils are down a councillor. Walcha has locked in a January by-election, while Tenterfield waits on advice about how to fill its empty A Ward seat.
Walcha Council
Posted inArmidale Regional, Energy, Feature, Housing, Long Read, Uralla Shire, Walcha
Camps in the paddock: the REZ housing legacy that isn’t
WEEKEND LONG READ: New England was promised worker housing that would stay behind as homes. The REZ EIS delivers 2,060 beds in five temporary camps on paddocks a long way from anywhere.
Posted inLocal politics and councils, Walcha
Eric Noakes stands down after a decade as Walcha’s mayor
Eric Noakes has handed Walcha’s mayoralty to Hyde Thomson, as his deputy steps aside amid questions over a tourism venture.
Posted inLocal News, Local politics and councils
One down, 10 to go: Webb re-elected Mayor in Tamworth
Eleven New England councils choose their mayor within a month. Tamworth’s result is in — the 5-4 split that’s ruled council for two years just held again. A challenge is confirmed for Gunnedah. Who’s next?
Posted inArmidale, Energy, Local politics and councils, Long Read, NSW Politics, Regional Development, Water
No water, no REZ: how Armidale is using the REZ as leverage to fix a decade-old problem
WEEKEND LONG READ: There’s an $800m price tag on getting water security for Armidale and Uralla, and ratepayers don’t have it Now the state wants a $24 billion energy zone built here, and Mayor Sam Coupland is using that need as leverage: no water, no REZ.
Posted inWalcha, What's on
Walcha Motorcycle Rally paused as Council steps back following 2025 crash
The much-loved Walcha Motorcycle Rally will not go ahead in 2026, with Walcha Council confirming it will step back from its role as organiser and financial backer following last year’s serious demolition derby accident.
Posted inAccidents and road closures, Walcha
Driver ‘blacked out’ before hitting spectators at Walcha
More details continue to emerge following the tragic accident at Walcha, with the brother of the driver of the vehicle involved posting to social media that his brother blacked out before driving through the fence and into spectators at Walcha showground.
Posted inAccidents and road closures, Tourism, Walcha
Future of Walcha Motorcycle Rally to be “reassessed”
The future of the popular Walcha Motorcyle Rally may be in doubt following a “freak accident” that saw a demolition derby car drive into spectators, injuring 13 people.
Posted inCommunity development, Good News, Walcha, Youth
Upgraded skate park open in Walcha
Walcha’s young people have a better place to call their own, with the upgraded skate park on the banks of the Apsley River now officially open.
Posted inDomestic Violence, Investigation, Social issues and services
Walcha: a sexual abuse and domestic violence blind spot
Women who have suffered sexual and domestic violence in Walcha have felt discouraged from reporting abuse at night because the local police station does not operate around the clock, and they feared Tamworth officers could not intervene quickly enough.