Funding for the heart of rural communities
Funding for the heart of rural communities is now available through Rabobank’s Rural Community Hub Program, with rural community organisations invited to seek support for upgrades to their local hall and hub facilities.
Could robots be the answer to New England’s crumbling roads?
Inverell is already using AI to spot cracks in its roads, but researchers are working on a robot that can find them and fix them on the spot, before they become potholes.
Inverell Barnyard back on top as Best Pet Store title returns to familiar home
From everyday pet food and accessories to specialist advice, voters consistently described Inverell Barnyard as a business that goes the extra mile for both customers and their animals.
New England community invited to have say on $60m energy fund
Locals are being handed a direct say in how $60 million from the region’s renewable energy zone gets spent, with surveys, a webinar and community sessions open now.
Local News
New England researchers chase cotton breakthroughs with five funded projects
Mite-filled capsules dropped by drone, satellite dashboards, beans as fertiliser: five New England projects have landed almost half of the country’s cotton innovation grants.
Have your say on community safety in the Armidale region
Armidale Regional Council is inviting residents to help shape the region’s future Crime Prevention Plan by taking part in a community safety survey.
Syngenta paraquat exit rattles farmers
Syngenta is pulling paraquat from Australian and New Zealand shelves, and farmers say it’s another tool gone from an already shrinking chemical toolbox.
The Bungalow and Ivy Leaf Chapel completes accommodation award trifecta
In a region renowned for its country hotels, motels, farm stays and boutique accommodation, the Tenterfield property again stood out thanks to an overwhelming show of support from guests who said it offers far more than just a place to sleep.
What's On
Best Winery/Brewery/Distillery in the New England?
Whether you enjoy a fine wine, craft beer or a locally made spirit, who deserves a toast? Which is the best Winery, Brewery or Distillery in the New England?
Events
The Wizard of OzEnds: July 30, 2026
Artist Talk: Julie EdgarEnds: July 31, 2026
Karaoke @ BoobooksEnds: July 31, 2026
Bliss Bomb @ the BowloEnds: July 31, 2026
Artist Talk: Angus NivisonEnds: August 1, 2026
Tingha Community MarketsEnds: August 1, 2026
Politics
Enough is enough: Leaders plead for civility as abuse boils over
Online abuse and offline threats are pushing local leaders to breaking point, with three local politicians this week pushing back.
NSW Premier, Energy Minister face NSW Farmers conference
Fuel, crime, renewables and land maps took centre stage as Premier Chris Minns and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe faced NSW Farmers delegates, pledging action while farmers pressed them on infrastructure and regional concerns across NSW.
Farmers press health and welfare case for firearm suppressors
Protecting hearing and better animal welfare concerns drive demand to keep firearms suppressors at the NSW Farmers annual conference on Tuesday.
Coalition cherry-picks corporate insolvency to spruik payroll tax policy
The NSW Coalition says insolvencies prove Labor is failing business. The same data shows collapses actually fell last year. So which figure tells the real story?
The causes of bad numbers: culture and politics
In this final part of our New England Times investigation by RK Crosby, we look at two known forces that corrupt the numbers: culture and politics.
Getting to a tipping point: NSW Farmers renewables debate not as clear cut as the vote
New England farmers packed the floor at NSW Farmers’ conference this week, but the fight wasn’t over wind and solar. It was over who pays, who decides, and where the transmission lines actually go.
Agriculture Minister backs AgTech push at NSW Farmers conference
A free AgTech training platform and drone rules featured on Day 1 of the NSW Farmers conference.
Energy and Environment
Residents invited to have their say on Inverell battery project
Construction on the proposed Inverell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) could begin as early as 2028, with the project now moving toward a major public consultation stage next week.
Essential Energy advises of planned power outage for Bendemeer and surrounding areas
Essential Energy will carry out planned maintenance on Tuesday, 21 July, requiring a power outage affecting about 490 customers near Bendemeer.
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
Tenterfield Railway Museum steams to Best Museum or Gallery title
Across the votes, one message came through loud and clear: while the exhibits are impressive, it is the dedication of the volunteers that makes the Tenterfield Railway Museum such a treasured community asset.
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
Inverell set to host its biggest Joeys Mini World Cup yet, but organiser calls for more local teams
Inverell will once again become a football village this spring, with the Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup set to run from Monday, 28 September to Sunday, 4 October.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Denise’s Desk: A Serious Party for Serious Times
Denise writes that what she witnessed in the national Australian Labor Party conference was the opposite of the slogans and outrage we see so often. It was the serious party we deserve. The post Denise’s Desk: A Serious Party for Serious Times appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Myers part of Australian first on world stage
An Armidale music teacher just helped make history in the Netherlands, becoming part of the first Australian band ever to crack the World Music Contest’s elite division.
A weekend of fire, iron and community: Eulah Creek’s big event returns
A beloved fixture on the north-west calendar is gearing up for its 28th year, with the Eulah Creek Vintage Machinery Day and Cast Iron Chef Weekend set to draw crowds to Beulah Park Hall once again.
