Drivers travelling between Armidale and the coast on Waterfall Way should allow extra time from Monday, 26 October, to Sunday, 8 November. Transport for NSW says a string of maintenance jobs and projects may cause cumulative delays, with some sections of up to 10 minutes. Vehicles wider than 3 metres face restrictions on parts of the route, and a permit is needed. Motorists can follow signs and directions from traffic controllers, or use alternative routes including the Oxley Highway, Gwydir Highway or New England Highway.
Three in four Australians say a $20 weekly rise in rent or mortgage would force them to cut back, according to an Everybody’s Home survey of 1,150 people. Of those, 41 per cent said they could not afford it or would need to cut essentials such as food, medication or bills. Many respondents also said they had delayed major life decisions, including saving for retirement. Everybody’s Home has called for minimum standards for rental homes, limits on unfair rent increases and more public and community housing.
Forty-four per cent of GPs now name medical misinformation as a challenge in their work, up from 35 per cent last year. The figures come from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' 2026 Health of the Nation report, based on a survey of more than 2,700 GPs. RACGP president Dr Michael Wright said patients increasingly turn to online platforms, social media and AI tools for health information before seeing a doctor. He said inaccurate advice can delay diagnosis and put health at risk.
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People who illegally clear or poison trees in NSW could face court-imposed penalties of up to $500,000 under new reforms. Corporations could be fined up to $2.5 million. Councils will gain the power to pursue civil penalties on both public and private land for the first time. On-the-spot fines will double for individuals to $6,000 and triple for businesses to $18,000. Councils will also be able to stop tree clearing work and enforce replanting. Planning Minister Paul Scully said the reforms respond to community anger over recent tree vandalism cases.
Crews have filled more than 625,000 potholes on New South Wales state roads since April 2023, with thousands of those repairs in the Hunter. Since June, 1,668 potholes have been fixed across the region's state roads. The state has set aside $1.85 billion for road maintenance in the 2026-27 budget, including $1.3 billion for regional routes. Works are often scheduled overnight to limit disruption. Hunter councils will receive over $17.2 million to maintain local roads, and motorists are urged to report potholes.
Median house prices in regional New South Wales are still higher than a year ago, despite slipping 1.2 per cent to $820,000 in the September quarter. Dungog recorded a 26.9 per cent annual rise, while Inverell and Broken Hill also climbed sharply. Investors seeking cheaper homes have driven some of the growth, but their buying has slowed after recent federal budget changes to investor taxes and high mortgage costs. Local agents in Dungog and Inverell say demand has eased recently, although buyers continue to arrive from the city.
Developer Alinta Energy has withdrawn plans for a $1.8 billion pumped hydro project in northern NSW, saying economic and timing challenges made it unviable. The 900 megawatt Oven Mountain scheme was one of the largest projects in the Armidale Renewable Energy Zone and was planned near Carrai. It is the second major renewable project to be dropped this month, after Origin Energy scrapped the Skye Ridge Wind Farm. Armidale Shire Mayor Sam Coupland said the council was shocked and questioned whether planning rules had become too onerous.
For Small Business Month, three regional enterprises are profiled. In Tenterfield, The Bungalow and Ivy Leaf Chapel run a boutique bed and breakfast, wedding venue and garden destination on a historic 1915 timber property. Dorrigo Transit, launched in October 2021, offers shuttles, door-to-door transfers and charters linking the North Coast and New England. At Mullumbimby Showground, a not-for-profit community reserve, markets, hireable halls, camping and the annual agricultural show bring people together.
Teachers and parents are rallying on Macquarie Street in Sydney to demand more preparation time for NSW teachers. A poll of more than 1,400 teachers found about 85 per cent have considered leaving the profession because of too little preparation time. Nine in ten said a guaranteed extra two hours a week would make them more likely to stay. The NSW Teachers Federation says the open letter, signed by more than 16,000 people, will be delivered to Parliament.
Three businesses are featured for Small Business Month in New England. Easy As Armidale, owned by Jason Richey, runs a drive-through serving coffee, gourmet pies, rolls and sandwiches. Serenity Diamond Beach, a retreat on the Mid North Coast, offers villas, beachfront access and facilities for weddings and events. In Glen Innes, Rhubarb & Rosie, run by Janie Kent, sells flowers, plants and gourmet hampers and bakes cakes from scratch.
Armidale community radio station 2ARM will honour its long-time musical patron, Uncle Cyril Green Senior, at the 15th Black Gully Festival on Saturday, 7 November. A grant from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council will fund a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony from 12 midday at Festival Stage Central. Contemporary Aboriginal dance and theatre performances follow from 12:30pm at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place. Performers include the Sharnae Smith Dance Troupe, the Lyãmbay Dance Group and the Saturday Magic Theatre Company. The festival runs from 10am to 7pm.
Uralla Shire Council has asked the New South Wales planning minister to extend the public exhibition period for the New England Renewable Energy Zone Transmission Project's environmental impact statement. Council wants at least four more weeks, preferably until 31 December, rather than the standard 28 days. Mayor Robert Bell said the document is highly technical and covers many areas, including biodiversity, agriculture and heritage. Other local leaders have also called for more time. The department has not said whether the period will be extended and has urged residents to lodge submissions before 12 November.
Trains will not stop at Armidale, Uralla, Walcha Road, Kootingal and Tamworth stations for six weeks from Wednesday, 21 October. Replacement coaches will run between Werris Creek and Armidale until Wednesday, 2 December, following existing train timetables. The work includes platform upgrades, accessibility improvements, new fencing and lighting, and assisted boarding infrastructure. Passengers are urged to arrive at least 20 minutes early. Train services will resume at all five stations on Thursday, 3 December, with minor works continuing until Thursday, 24 December.
The Coalition has confirmed it will oppose the free-trade deal with the European Union, and farmers want every party in Parliament to do the same. Liberal treasury spokesman Tim Wilson said the Coalition was against the deal while it goes through parliamentary processes. Trade Minister Don Farrell urged the Opposition to stand up to Nationals leader Matt Canavan. The National Farmers' Federation says the deal offers no material improvement for key agricultural products and calls on all parties to oppose it.
The environmental impact statement for the New England Renewable Energy Zone transmission line shows the project would clear 3,203 hectares of native vegetation. It would also affect 15 plants, animals and ecological communities at risk of serious and irreversible damage. Among them is the critically endangered New England Peppermint grassy woodland, with 146.75 hectares directly affected. EnergyCo says the impacts must first be avoided, then reduced, and finally offset. Submissions on the statement close on Thursday, 12 November.
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Thousands of spotted ladybirds have appeared across Newcastle in recent weeks, drawing attention from residents on washing lines, picnic tables and beaches. Australian Museum entomologist Chris Reid identifies them as transverse ladybirds, a native species found across Australia. He suspects warm, wet winter conditions inland pushed them east, carrying bogong moths with them. Reid says the ladybirds eat crop pests such as aphids, so they are good for gardens. He adds that they are unlikely to stay long.
Tamworth, Armidale and Narrabri are holding festivals this weekend. Tamworth's free Fiesta La Peel runs from 4pm to 9pm on Saturday 17 October at Bicentennial Park, with more than 16 performances and over 30 food stalls. In Armidale, the Creative Streets Festival opens with a night event on Saturday and runs until 9 November, and the inaugural New England Regional Film Festival also begins on 17 October. Narrabri hosts the NSW Rural Women's Gathering, which is sold out, but its keynotes and panel will be livestreamed from 9am to 1.30pm.
