Letter to the Editor

Apr
22
2026
By Newsroom

Letter to the Editor

Letters To The Editor
To the Editor, I write to raise growing concern about biosecurity risks associated with the unchecked spread of weeds across the Glen Innes Severn region. Of particular note is the proliferation of blackberries along the New England Highway, rural roads, rail corridors, and Travelling Stock Routes. These infestations are no longer contained to public land. They are encroaching onto adjoining properties, imposing significant control costs on landholders and undermining productive agriculture. Beyond the direct impact of weed spread, dense blackberry thickets provide harbour for pest species, including pigs, rabbits and deer, compounding the environmental and economic damage. This is not…
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Apr
21
2026
By Newsroom

Letter to the Editor

Letters To The Editor
Dear Sir, The natural beauty of Glen Innes and its surrounds is again under threat from a proposed wind development on the western hills of the Furracabad Valley. A previous proposal, the Glen Innes Windfarm, caused 14 years of uncertainty and division before being refused in September 2020 due to unacceptable visual impacts and lack of community support. Now, Iberdrola Australia is assessing the Reddestone Wind Farm—effectively the same or larger footprint—with towers proposed up to 250 metres high, comparable to Sydney’s Centrepoint Tower observation deck. Positioned on elevated terrain, these structures would dominate views across the district and significantly…
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Apr
21
2026
By Newsroom

Letter to the Editor

Letters To The Editor
I want to express my support for David Scott’s recent editorial encouraging Glen Innes to think creatively about how we use our existing assets. His piece treats community ideas as something worth exploring, not shutting down. By contrast, the Council’s response took a much narrower view. The community discussion was initially described as “noise” before the wording was softened, which speaks to how the conversation was being perceived. Rather than engaging with the ideas raised, the focus was on closing them off. No one expects every suggestion to be adopted, but people do expect their contributions to be respected. Scott’s…
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Apr
20
2026
By David Scott
Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco and Vaping in New England Welcomed

Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco and Vaping in New England Welcomed

Local News
A recent multi-agency compliance operation targeting illicit tobacco and vaping products across the New England region has delivered significant results, with an estimated $84,000 worth of illegal goods seized and several retail premises temporarily shut down. Between Wednesday 15 April and Thursday 16 April 2026, officers from New England Police District and NSW Health Tobacco Regulation and Enforcement carried out a coordinated operation focusing on non-licensed tobacconists. The action followed sustained community concern, formal complaints, and ongoing advocacy highlighting the growing presence of illegal tobacco and vaping products in the region. Three premises across Armidale and Glen Innes were issued…
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Apr
17
2026
By Eve Chappell
Our Local History: Celtic Connections in The Year of Scotland

Our Local History: Celtic Connections in The Year of Scotland

Local News
Many of our early Scottish immigrants settled on the land, as seen in ‘Scottish Pioneers of the Glen Innes District’ published in 1996. Abounds with names such as Dundee, Glen Elgin, Ben Lomond, Glencoe… The crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1813 had encouraged other explorers and their reports were widely read. The Government formed the 19 Counties - from the town of Bathurst, round Sydney and round the Coal River now known as the Hunter in order to keep a protective eye on new settlers (and also there were few surveyors.) It was an offence to take up land…
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Apr
17
2026
By Newsroom

Letter to the Editor

Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor, Congratulations on an excellent Editorial published in the Edition on 2nd April re the proposed relocation of Council Offices. I believe that Council should be seriously investigating your proposal and doing a cost analysis comparing the 2 proposals ( Dimmys vs Library). The Library is a lovely, airy space that already has enclosed offices, a room where Council currently holds its meetings, ample space out back for Staff parking and room for expansion if needed in the future. The Dimmy's Building can easily be turned into a large library at minimal cost that is more accessible to residents.…
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Apr
16
2026
By David Scott
Epic Campdraft and Horse Sale

Epic Campdraft and Horse Sale

Local News, Sports
Glen Innes is set to come alive with the sound of hooves and the buzz of competition as the Epic Horse Sale Campdraft rides into town, bringing with it a major boost of energy, visitors, and rural spectacle. After five successful years in Armidale, organisers have relocated the event to Glen Innes following a scheduling clash—an opportunity that has quickly turned into a win for the local community. This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever, attracting horses and competitors from right across New South Wales and Queensland. The scale alone is impressive. Around 120 horses will go under…
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Apr
16
2026
By Brendan Moylan MP
Moylan Report

Moylan Report

Local News, Rural
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO SUPPORT OUR FARMERS AS DROUGHT WORSENS Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has called on the Minns Labor Government to start supporting regional communities with more than 70 per cent of his electorate now classed as drought affected. The NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Combined Drought Indicator map indicates the drought status of the entire state. Currently more than 50 per cent is drought affected but Mr Moylan said the government has failed to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem. “I have been banging on doors and doing everything I can to get the government to…
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