Local News – Page 23 – Glen Innes News

Aug

06

2025

Glen Innes Welcomes Essential Workers

Local NewsBernard Smith, Carol Sparks, Great Central Hotel, Margot Davis, Pagan Kelly, The Welcome Experience

New residents were treated to a warm and lively introduction to Glen Innes at the recent Welcome to Glen Innes Pizza Night, held on Saturday 19 July at the Great Central Hotel. Organised by Local Connect as part of The Welcome Experience — a NSW Government–funded program aimed at supporting the settlement and retention of essential workers in regional communities — the evening brought together around 30 guests in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Led locally by Glen Innes Community Connector Pagan Kelly, the event provided an opportunity for essential workers who are new to the area to meet one…

Aug

05

2025

By Nicole Stephens

Wellbeing Week Wraps Up Term 2 at Red Range

Local News, School NewsKelly Vimpany, Red Range, Red Range Public School

Red Range Public School wrapped up Term 2 on a high note with the celebration of its annual Wellbeing Week, a dedicated program aimed at nurturing students’ mental wellness, resilience, and personal development. Held during the final week of term 2, Wellbeing Week offered a vibrant and thoughtfully planned timetable of activities that encouraged students to embody the school’s learner qualities: being Mindful, Self-Motivated, Brave, and Gritty. Under the leadership of Relieving Principal Kelly Vimpany, the school community came together to prioritise student wellbeing through engaging and inclusive events, all of which were offered at no cost to families. This…

Aug

04

2025

By Megan Redfern

Glen Innes Chapter of Silent Book Club Starts This Week

Local NewsGreat Central Hotel, New England Motor Lodge, Silent Book Club

If you’re a frustrated reader, the Silent Book Club might be for you. SBC is a global phenomenon with nearly 2,000 chapters in 55 countries. Unlike conventional book clubs, where prescribed readings and discussion occurs, the silent book club encourages some socialising, followed by quiet time dedicated to reading whatever the reader chooses, finishing with talking about what has been read. The main aim is for all attendees to incorporate some more reading time in their lives. The Glen Innes chapter of SBC is starting this coming week. The plan is to meet on the first and third Thursday of…

Aug

03

2025

By Newsroom

Glen Innes Covered in Snow as Highway Closes

Local NewsGlencoe, New England Highway, NSW SES, Snow

Glen Innes was blanketed in snow over the weekend with significant snowfall occurring in parts of the Northern Tablelands. According to the State Emergency Service, some areas in the region recorded up to 50 mm of snow. While Glen Innes is no stranger to winter chills and the occasional dusting of snow, accumulations of this scale are rare. The snow created picturesque scenes across town but also brought with it disruption to travel and local activities. The New England Highway was closed in both directions between Glen Innes and Armidale on Saturday afternoon due to dangerous driving conditions. Later in the…

Aug

02

2025

By Newsroom

New England Highway Closed Between Glen Innes and Armidale

Local NewsTransport for New South Wales

The New England Highway has been closed in both directions between Glen Innes and Armidale due to hazardous conditions caused by snow and ice. Transport for NSW has urged motorists to avoid the area altogether and to delay travel where possible. Authorities are also advising drivers to avoid unnecessary travel in the region more broadly. “If you must drive, be careful,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said. The wintry conditions have created dangerous driving conditions on one of the region’s key transport routes. Motorists are encouraged to monitor traffic updates and weather warnings for the latest information before setting out.

Aug

02

2025

By Newsroom

Glen Innes Helps in Mid North Coast Flood Recovery

Council, Local NewsBernard Smith, Glen Innes Severn Council, jetpatcher, Margot Davis, MidCoast Council, Stephen Crabbe

Glen Innes Severn Council has supported recovery efforts in the MidCoast Council area following the severe flooding event that struck the Mid North Coast in late May. The flood, classified as a 1-in-500-year event, caused widespread damage to infrastructure and local road networks across the region. In response, a coordinated inter-Council support initiative—led by Lake Macquarie City Council—was launched to assist with emergency recovery works. As part of the initiative, Glen Innes Severn Council was contracted to carry out urgent road repairs in the Gloucester area. Council deployed a jetpatcher truck, operated by staff member Stephen Crabbe, to assist with…

Aug

01

2025

By Newsroom

Cabin Fire at Local Caravan Park

Local NewsBlue Sapphire Caravan Park, Fire and Rescue NSW

Emergency services responded to a cabin fire at the Blue Sapphire Caravan Park in Glen Innes on Thursday evening. Fire and Rescue NSW Station 302 Glen Innes was called to the scene at 5:25pm on July 31. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy smoke coming from the cabin. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the structure with a 38mm hose and were able to bring the blaze under control. The fire was fully extinguished within 30 minutes. Multiple emergency services attended the incident, including the 302 CAFS Pumper, Hazmat Tanker, Police and Ambulance. The cabin’s occupant was not at home…

Aug

01

2025

By Newsroom

Stronger Penalties for Illicit Tobacco

Local NewsBrendan Moylan, Illicit Tobacco

The NSW Government has announced new laws to tackle the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco, drawing support from Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan, who has been advocating for stronger action. The move follows a push by the NSW Opposition, who recently introduced a Bill aimed at making New South Wales the most difficult place in the country to sell illicit vaping and tobacco products. Mr Moylan welcomed the government’s response, saying the reforms are long overdue. “Our regional communities have been calling for change on the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco for months and now the Government is…

Aug

01

2025

By Newsroom

Bushfire Danger Period Begins

Local NewsGlenn Colling, NSW RFS

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) has confirmed that the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) will commence on 1 August 2025 across the Glen Innes Severn, Inverell, and Tenterfield Local Government Areas. From Thursday, fire permits will be required for the lighting of fires in the open. The BFDP marks a period where increased precautions are needed to prevent bush fires, and landholders are reminded to ensure that tasks like burning off vegetation are conducted safely and legally. NSW RFS Northern Tablelands District Manager, Superintendent Glenn Colling, said early planning and preparation can make all the difference in preventing…

Aug

01

2025

By Newsroom

Countback Election to Fill Council Vacancy: Key Dates Announced

Council, Local NewsGlen Innes Severn Council, NSW Electoral Commission, Troy Arandale

Following the recent resignation of Cr Arandale, the NSW Electoral Commission has confirmed that a countback election will be held to fill the resulting vacancy on Glen Innes Severn Council. Under NSW electoral law, a countback election is used when a councillor resigns mid-term and was originally elected through proportional representation. Rather than holding a full by-election, the Electoral Commission reviews ballots from the previous council election to identify which unelected candidate is next eligible to take the seat, based on the preferences expressed by voters at that time. The process avoids the cost and time associated with a fresh…