Letters - New England Times Engage

Letters

Letter: Alarm Bells Over Armidale Council’s Rail Trail Decision

4 days ago28 October 2025

Siri Gamage writer the rail trail should be built along side the existing rail corridor.

Letters

Letter: Rebuttal of the Barnaby Joyce pile-on

21 October 202521 October 2025

Maurie writes that the diatribe against Barnaby Joyce is strong and unhelpful.

Letters

Letter: Yes – Barnaby Joyce should step down now

21 October 202521 October 2025

Vanessa agrees that Barnaby Joyce should step down now rather than collect a salary for the next two and a half years.

Featured, Letters

Letter: Critical Questions for the GM, ARC About His Rail Trail Plans

6 October 202520 October 2025

Recently Armidale Regional Council (ARC) General Manager James Roncon stated that he wants to “get the rail trail back on track.” In light of this, there are a number of important questions that need to be asked of the General Manager: Expenditure of Ratepayers’ Funds How much ratepayers’ money has been spent to date on […]

Featured, Letters

Letter: Net Zero needs Barnaby to “re train” the region

1 October 202520 October 2025

Rick from Warratah West says: As a former farmer and truckie, I know the cost of diesel and road freight. What we really “Need” is trains – electrified rail linking Newcastle, Tamworth and Armidale to drive Net Zero and real regional growth.

Letters

Letter: Promises & Secrets : Duval High School

27 September 202527 September 2025

Jack from Armidale says this fine piece of journalism exposes the skulduggery of ARC politics, years of wasted funds and corruption. Time for New England to back real independents, not failed party hacks.

Letters

Letter: Duval High School Sale

24 September 202525 September 2025

Steve from Armidale says I am no expert on legislation but at first glance it appears Council does not have the ability to dispose of the Duval land as proposed. The site was gifted for recreation and the law sets strict criteria on land disposal.

Letters

Letter: Barnaby Joyce’s Comments Undermine Parliamentary Standards

17 September 202517 September 2025

Denise from Hillvue says: Barnaby Joyce’s crude, immature interjection during Question Time on September 4 was more than a poor choice of words. It was a stark reminder of the growing disregard for parliamentary decorum and an embarrassment to the people of New England.

Letters, Political

Letter: Trains’ needs need raising in parliament

5 September 20258 September 2025

Rick Banyard says the New England is being strangled by the lack of rail transport, yet Parliament raised barely a murmur. He urges MPs to get on track and deliver safer, faster, and environmentally sound trains for the region.

Letters

Letter: business training offers inmates a fresh start

4 September 20254 September 2025

Patty Fulloon says training over 100 inmates at Glen Innes Correctional Centre has been the pinnacle of her 20-year career. She hopes community business leaders will give these men a chance, as many are transformed and ready for a positive future.