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Letter: Tamworth families finally getting what they deserve
For years, families in regional NSW were told to wait — wait for school upgrades, wait for preschool places, wait for governments to finally take public education seriously.
Now, under the Minns Labor Government, Tamworth is actually seeing delivery.
The new public preschool at Hillvue Public School is exactly the kind of investment regional families have needed for years: practical, affordable and focused on giving children the best possible start in life. For local parents, it means access to high-quality, fee-free early learning close to home. For children, it means a stronger start before they even walk into kindergarten.
And this is not a one-off. Hillvue is one of the first of 100 new public preschools Labor is rolling out across NSW, with nearly half in regional communities. That is a serious commitment to country families after more than a decade of neglect from the former Liberal-National Government, which somehow managed to oversee growing communities without building the public early learning infrastructure families actually needed.
Tamworth High School is also benefiting from major upgrades, showing this is part of a broader commitment to rebuild public education from preschool right through to high school.
This is what investment in regional communities should look like — not ribbon-cutting politics, but real public infrastructure that actually improves people’s lives.
Tamworth families deserve nothing less.
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Letter: MPSC responds where ARC ignores
Re: Scaled-back Moree precinct plan adopted to ease pressure on council
Moree Plains Shire Council (MPSC) responds to ratepayer concerns by reducing the size of the 200ha to about 100ha to reduce the generated on-going cost of proposed Moree Special Activation Precinct.
Meanwhile, Armidale Regional Council (ARC) ignores the demands from over 8,000 ratepayers to support the renovation and reopening of passenger rail services north from Armidale to Jennings Wallangarra to connect this region to the world, just like Sydney metro voters.
MPSC has good ideas for economic development and listens to ratepayers concerns. ARC has no ideas for economic development and practices the tin ear strategy to all ratepayer concerns.
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Letter: Can we turn Armidale down to maybe 7?
I’ve been living in Armidale for five years now. When I first arrived, I loved it: so much culture, things to do, and such interesting people who could really hold a conversation.
Now, the only thing keeping me here is the weather. Armidale seems to be drowning in ego and its own self importance of late, and it is really wearing thin.
So many friendly people yet it’s so hard to make any real friends.
So many great businesses that couldn’t be bothered opening their doors for a full business day.
So many wonderful events but nobody goes.
So many people that make a song and dance about supporting local, and then do anything but.
Even the mayor’s obsession with boosting his own profile, which seems to have found a new high gear of late, makes me want to vomit. There is very little of the Council to be desired – seriously who jacks up the rates and makes the cost of living harder just to have flying whales and acrobat planes, but not build a single footpath – but the Mayor? With his ‘personal’ events and podcast and rail trail and whatever? So exhausting.
This is a great town. Can we maybe turn it down to a 7, and be a little bit more compassionate to our fellow residents, maybe make a bit more of an effort to contribute, that’d be so appreciated.
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Letter: Reopen the Great Northern line
The new England rail would benefit those in this region by providing both passenger and freight transportation. as the permanent way is established is there is little requirement for land acquisition except for a small deviation. Most stations are intact. The benefits outweigh the repair costs.
Benefits: light to medium Freight for import/export of goods.
Passenger services: point to point and long distance within the region and connections to Sydney and beyond. Tourist trains, dining trains and special charter (football specials etc).
Employment: track maintenance, training opportunities.
The list is endless. It is proposed that the line extend to Toowoomba and the inland rail.
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Letter: Relying on one type of transport is risky
Recent reports of fuel supply concerns and diesel shortages for trucks highlight a serious vulnerability in Australia’s transport system. Farming, mining, transport and consumer groups have already warned that disruptions to diesel supplies can quickly affect supermarket food deliveries, fertiliser supply, and regional industries.
This situation is a reminder that relying almost entirely on diesel-powered road transport is risky.
Regional railway lines could play an important role in strengthening supply chains. Electrified rail, including trains powered by renewable electricity or solar-supported systems, can move large volumes of freight efficiently while reducing dependence on imported fuel.
The Northern rail corridor from Armidale to the Queensland border is a strategic asset that should be preserved and properly assessed for future transport use. Restoring regional rail could support agriculture, freight logistics and regional development while improving energy security.
Keeping rail corridors intact today may prove vital for the resilience of our transport system tomorrow. Rather than short term fixes when a cisis arises, governments have to develop long term plans for fuel security for the nation including sustainable delivery mechanisms outside Greater Sydney.
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Letter: Potential amalgamation of councils should not be initiated by Armidale
In around 2002 the then Labor State Government was funding potential ‘compulsory’ amalgamations.
Tamworth Council took them up on this offer and there was a five-way amalgamation done. Whilst this wasn’t easy for Tamworth’s smaller neighbouring Councils the net result was a very strong Tamworth Regional Council (and I don’t think the area has looked back since).
The Councils in our region were offered the same opportunity and unwisely (in my view) chose not to take it. Instead Armidale, Guyra, Uralla and Walcha Councils cobbled together the ill-fated ‘Strategic Alliance’ (nicknamed by one as the Tragic Alliance!). Armidale Dumaresq Council contributed the most resources to this and probably benefited the least.
In 2016 there was another opportunity for a ‘compulsory’ amalgamation with the clumsily managed (by the NSW State Government) Fit for the Future.
Uralla and Walcha had no interest in participating in this amalgamation and strongly and successfully opposed it.
In the end only Armidale Dumaresq Council and Guyra Shire Council amalgamated becoming Armidale Regional Council (ARC).
I have believed for years that a joining of Armidale, Guyra, Uralla and Walcha is the answer (now partially done) although, based on the bitter experience from 2016, where Armidale Dumaresq Council and Councillors was/were given a very hard time from two neighbouring Councils, ARC should not try to initiate this but rather wait until Walcha Council and/or Uralla Shire Council approach them requesting a voluntary amalgamation.
Re: “Council strategic cooperation raises the A word”, New England Times, 28 February 2026
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Letter: Bush short-changed on populist rubbish
I read your recent article “Right wing politics destroys the brain” and prior to becoming the NSW Farmers President many years ago, I would have argued against it. However, after close contact with both State and Federal Governments, I know what you have written is 100% correct.
The mechanics of government is very complex, bound by tight law that does not allow the glib nonsense peddled by populists. Thankfully it is usually fact-based, except when politicians occasionally interfere close to elections.
I recall going to Canberra to argue a position for farmers but found bureaucrats who were very informed and knowledgeable about the subject. To get change I had to know my stuff or I was beaten by the detail. They sometimes become bogged down in that detail, but you don’t beat it with populist vague concepts.
The populist stuff does not even rate a mention in Canberra and Sydney parliament houses.
Like most things in life, the answer lies in the centre, not hard right or left bleating, but reasonable, well-thought-through policy. Most Australians are in the centre and if the Coalition gets its act back together again it will capture the centre and become Government again.
The recent Barnaby Joyce train will lose steam as it is less than 10% of voters who will support it close to an election.
The worry is because all the One Nation preferences do not come back to the Coalition, it will help keep Albanese in power for the next term of Government.
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Letter: New England BESS projects get certainty with government contracts
I am writing in response to your recent article on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities proposed for the New England region. While the article presents these projects as environmentally friendly and beneficial, it fails to address several critical issues that are of genuine concern to local communities.
Firstly, BESS facilities are not as “green” as they are often portrayed. The environmental cost of battery production, including mining, processing, transportation, and eventual disposal, is substantial. These impacts are rarely accounted for in public discussions, yet they are integral to assessing whether such projects are truly sustainable.
More concerning is the clear and present risk to public safety. Large-scale lithium battery installations carry well-documented fire, explosion, and toxic smoke hazards. These risks are magnified in regional areas where emergency services are limited, response times are longer, and local infrastructure is not designed to manage industrial-scale battery incidents.
It is also important to note that many of these facilities are owned by foreign interests and are heavily subsidised by Australian taxpayers. Without government subsidies, grants, and favourable regulatory treatment, these projects would not be commercially viable and would likely never proceed. Despite this public investment, there is little to no meaningful return for local communities in terms of lower power prices, energy security, or long-term economic benefit.
The broader move away from fossil fuels has also exposed a troubling trend: successive governments have sold critical energy assets to private companies that prioritise profit over people. This is not an abstract concern. While not directly related, the privatisation of Telstra provides a clear warning. Promised improvements never materialised; instead, cost-cutting and shortcuts degraded services, forcing the government to spend billions on the NBN to repair the damage.
There is a real risk that energy policy is following the same path. If these projects fail to deliver reliability and affordability, it will ultimately be government—and taxpayers—who are left to clean up the mess by rebuilding publicly funded power generation to restart the economy.
For communities to make informed decisions about their health, safety, and economic viability, reporting on BESS facilities must be balanced, transparent, and honest. This includes acknowledging environmental trade-offs, safety risks, financial realities, and long-term consequences—not just the promotional narratives provided by developers and government agencies.
I encourage more critical examination of these projects so regional Australians can have a genuine say in decisions that will affect them for decades to come.
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Letter: Joyce sideline
Rural people have always had conflict with the Nationals saying one thing in the bush and another when they went to Canberra. The perils of Coalition.
But they do get into power sometimes to make change.
The One Nation commentary never becomes more than that. Always talk the talk, never the walk.
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Letter: Your Coulda Woulda Shoulda stories
Dear Team,
A huge thank you! This story covers everything that is of utmost importance to Armidale/New England Region. That $400,000 you mention? Yes, I too wonder have queried where that money is coming from. Of course, I know it is coming out of the ARC’s pocket… aka the ratepayers.
I believe we need ACCC to have a look at this particular issue. We have had dodgy mayors in the past – needing, on two different occasions, Administrators to be appointed. Unfortunately, they didn’t clean up the mess; they only added to it… hence why I think ACCC is a better avenue than complaining to the Minister for Local Government.
Could you send your FOI responses to them – with missing questions? Is it time for ABC’s 4 Corners to be asked to look into it?
Just to be clear, ALL the subjects you tackled – $400,000, Hospital figures and roads all add up to malfeasance… particularly the Armidale one.
I would like to add Barney Street Armidale to the list of roads – this very busy road – ambulances, school buses and tradies use this road a lot – is in a despicable condition… so much so that locum doctors (FIFO), do not want to be housed in those pods which were designed for them – fronting Barney St, on the hospital grounds. The noise of the vehicles going past is too loud. They now spend off-duty time at places such as Moore Park Motor Inn, etc. However, whilst the locums can move to a quieter part of town, the residents along Barney Street cannot!
Do I really have to visit every house opposite the Hospital with a Petition before Council does up the road?
Again, many, many, thanks for all that you do.
Very sincerely,
Deni McKenzie
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