Tamworth’s Lachlan Slade among regional stars chasing back-to-back wins for NSW
Tamworth’s Lachlan Slade will represent NSW in Saturday night’s PBR Australia Origin opener in Newcastle as the Blues chase back-to-back titles.
Women building futures in Armidale region
Armidale Regional Council has launched a civil construction apprenticeship program aimed at boosting female participation and regional workforce capacity.
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.
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 why.
Local News
Biweekly preschool visits bring songs, creativity and connection to Tamworth aged-care village
Tamworth preschool children and aged-care residents are building friendships through fortnightly visits filled with music, art and shared activities.
Five new bridges completed across Tenterfield Shire
Five new bridges across Tenterfield Shire have been completed under state and federal funding programs aimed at improving regional connectivity and resilience.
Mungindi set for Border Battle as Blues take Origin 1
The Barwon River Campsite in Mungindi has been lit up in Maroon and Blue, with the intensity of the Mungindi Border Battle already building after the Mighty NSW Blues smashed the cane toads in last night’s thriller.
Glen Innes Service NSW Centre refreshed
Northern Tablelands residents can now access upgraded NSW Government services following the refurbishment of the Glen Innes Service NSW Centre.
What's On
Family businesses powering New England communities
Check out today’s Trades You Can Trust, featuring reliable family-run businesses keeping New England homes, worksites and communities moving – and chilled.
Nominate now! We are looking for local trades and services businesses – from micro-businesses to major companies – to feature in our “Trades you can Trust” series. Really.
Events
Circle of Security Parenting ProgramEnds: May 29, 2026
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
Politics
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.
Budget leaves regional councils facing impossible choices
Regional councils say the federal budget still leaves country communities behind, warning shrinking grants and rising costs are forcing councils to “operate on the smell of an oily rag”.
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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If you run a business that offers a product or service people will be looking for in this uncertain time, we want to help you reach the community. Find out more
And if you just want to support us to keep reporting on these challenging issues, you can make a donation here.
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
‘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.
Bonshaw battery project split as solar farm construction pushes ahead
The proposed Bonshaw battery project has been acquired by Enervest, while construction continues on the separate 200MW solar farm south of Bonshaw still owned by Gaia.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
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.
More Than Paint: quality, creativity and community
For Armidale business owner Andrew Cureton – known to many as Andy – quality workmanship and authenticity go hand in hand.
BUSINESS
Redefining self-care in the New England
From advanced skin treatments and laser hair removal to creative colour work and luxury salon experiences, two New England businesses are proving that regional communities no longer need to travel to access high-quality beauty services.
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.
- Begin Rant: Why is everyone so angry?
RK Crosby say's you're not imagining it, everyone is angry. And it's not hard to figure out why, but it is hard to figure out why politicians are making it worse. The post Begin Rant: Why is everyone so angry? appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Entries open for New England North West Business Awards 2026
Entries have opened for the 2026 New England North West Business Awards, celebrating regional business innovation, growth and achievement.
Warialda community comes together for Shop of Opportunity opening
The Warialda Shop of Opportunity officially opened on Saturday, May 2, drawing strong local support and marking the end of a three-year community-led project.
