The Current covers New England in New South Wales: Tamworth, Armidale and the Northern Tablelands, across nine councils from Liverpool Plains to Tenterfield.
Council business papers, planning applications, health and water reports. We read them end to end, write what they mean, and link the document behind every factual claim.
Development + planning
Since 1 July a planning proposal must not rezone rural land for housing or jobs unless the land is an identified urban growth area or the Planning Secretary accepts a justification. In a shire about 95 per cent zoned for primary production, Gwydir's report says its towns are largely landlocked.
Councils
An engineering report to Gwydir Shire found cracks through the full thickness of some walls and footings on unstable ground. Temporary steel bracing comes first, bored piers later, and the council says the cost and timing of both are unclear.
University + economy
Armidale's 67 km section to Ben Lomond is on exhibition until 27 October. Glen Innes's 34 km section is still being investigated after $8.7 million in funding was withdrawn in 2024.
Health
Hunter New England moved to a new patient record system on 27 May, and BHI's April to June report has no centralised data for its hospitals for the weeks after. What is missing and when it may return.
Water
Uralla Shire is moving up to $500,000 of general cash into a water fund short of money. Its audited accounts show the water business went from a surplus to a $485,000 deficit in 2024-25.
Development + planning
Once certified, the RFS map Uralla Shire endorsed will make nearly all land outside its developed towns bush fire prone, because grasslands now count. It replaces a 2009 map.
Water
General-security irrigators in the Lower Namoi and the Gwydir have 0% new allocation for 2026-27 and are running on carry-over. Town water is secure for 24 months.
Councils
The Minister's draft order cites three years without an audit opinion and restricted funds used for operating costs. The council concedes the problems and asks him to wait for an audit due by 31 October.
Councils
Decisions, budgets and fees, read from the business papers and minutes of nine councils.
Energy + the REZ
The wind, solar, battery and transmission projects, followed on EnergyCo’s documents and the Planning Portal record.
Water
Allocations and storage for the Namoi, Gwydir and Border Rivers valleys, and the towns’ water security.
Health
Hospital builds, services and staffing, from the health district’s and Health Infrastructure’s own records.
Development + planning
Major projects, exhibitions and planning decisions, from the Planning Portal and council exhibitions.
University + economy
The University of New England, regional development reports and the numbers behind the district economy.
A business paper, an exhibition notice, a report nobody has written up. Send it in. Tips can be anonymous, and we check every claim against the source before anything runs.