Business NSW - New England North West

19/06/2026

Every region's future is built on its ability to attract people, retain talent and create opportunity. Housing plays a central role in each of these outcomes.

Across the New England North West, there is a growing need to align industry, government and community efforts to support housing delivery that enables stronger businesses, stronger communities and a stronger regional economy.

The time for alignment is now. As housing continues to shape the future of our workforce, businesses and communities, the focus must shift from understanding the challenge to driving practical action.

The New England North West Future Build Forum 2026 has been designed to bring together the people, insights and partnerships needed to build momentum and support meaningful progress across the region. Taking place on 30 June in Tamworth, the forum will bring together leaders from government, industry, economic development, infrastructure, investment and community housing to explore practical pathways that support improved housing outcomes and regional growth.

Hear directly from The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, NSW Minister for Housing, alongside insights from Event Partner PRD Tamworth & PRD Real Estate Liverpool Plains, the Housing Industry Association - HIA, Homes North Community Housing, Tamworth Regional Council and more. Together, they will provide valuable perspectives on housing demand, supply, workforce capacity, investment confidence and the opportunities ahead for our region.

This is a forum focused on the future of the New England North West and the actions required to support sustainable growth, stronger communities and long-term economic prosperity.

If your organisation is invested in the future growth, liveability and economic success of New England North West, this is a conversation worth being part of.

New England North West Future Build Forum 2026
Tuesday 30 June 2026
Tamworth Jockey Club
10.45am to 2.00pm
Light lunch and refreshments included.

With registrations filling and the forum now less than two weeks away, now is the time to secure your place.
Register today: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/52850/new-england-north-west-future-build-forum-2026-business-nsw?step=1-select

17/06/2026

We’re set and ready for an exciting day in Tenterfield, where we will be hosting the Future Tourism Forum 2026! This important event will feature a keynote from Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones, as well as tourism leaders, operators and stakeholders from right across the New England North West.

Destination Country & Outback NSW
Tenterfield Chamber
Australian Social Value Bank
Kevin Anderson MP
Angry Bull Trails
Austin Tourist Park
Gunnedah Shire Council
Tenterfield Shire Council
School of Arts Tenterfield Inc.

17/06/2026

What will it take to deliver more homes across the New England North West?

What needs to happen to increase housing supply, remove barriers and create the conditions needed for growth across our region?

On Tuesday 30 June, leaders from government, business, construction, property, finance, community housing, local government and regional development will come together in Tamworth at the Future Build Forum 2026 to tackle these questions, and you're invited to be part of the discussion.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2cs7v983

Hosted by Business NSW - New England North West and supported by event partner PRD Tamworth and PRD Real Estate Liverpool Plains, this forum will examine the decisions, opportunities and actions needed right now to shape housing delivery across the region.

We are pleased to welcome NSW Minister for Housing, Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, who will open the forum with a keynote address on the priorities and policy settings influencing housing delivery across regional NSW.

The program will also feature a presentation from PRD Real Estate Tamworth & Liverpool Plains, sharing housing data and regional market analysis, as well as presentations from Housing Industry Association - HIA, Homes North Community Housing and more. The forum will include a cross-sector panel bringing together leaders from construction, housing, finance, development and local government.

Discussions will examine:
- Construction capacity and what is required to increase housing delivery in regional markets
- Housing demand, population growth and supply trends across the New England North West
- Diverse housing models and where they fit within the regional housing mix
- Finance, approvals and the factors influencing project viability
- What is needed to move projects from concept to completion

Housing affects every part of our region. It influences workforce availability, business growth, investment decisions and the ability of communities to attract and retain people.

Whether you're involved in business, development, construction, planning, housing, investment, local government or regional development, this forum offers an opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping housing outcomes across regional NSW and the New England North West.

Tuesday 30 June 2026
Tamworth Jockey Club
10:45am to 2:00pm (registrations from 10:30am)
Light lunch and refreshments included
Places are limited. Registration essential: https://tinyurl.com/2cs7v983

Register now and be in the room as government, industry and community leaders tackle one of the New England North West's most significant challenges and opportunities.

New England North West Future Build Forum 2026 Shaping Housing Solutions for the New England North West Housing is a clear and present priority across the New England North West. The need is widely recognised, and the opportunity now is to move from shared intent into coordinated delivery. Th...

16/06/2026

Could your business be an award winner? ✨

We're encouraging businesses to take a closer look at 3 categories that are often overlooked:

🏆 Excellence in Innovation – presented by University of New England, AU
🏆 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion – presented by Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Corporation
🏆 Excellence in International Business

You may already be doing the work. Now's the time to be recognised for it. 👏

Nominations are open across all categories of the 2026 New England North West Business Awards until Monday, 6 July 2026.

Nominate today! https://linktr.ee/nenwbusinessawards

08/06/2026

🏆 Your Guide to Award-Winning Success

Ready to take the next step?

Whether you're entering for the first time or preparing your submission, we've brought together everything you need to get started.

👉 Swipe through to explore:

• Award categories
• Entry resources
• Previous submission examples
• How to submit your entry

The awards celebrate the businesses, organisations and individuals setting the benchmark for excellence across the North West and New England.

Recognition starts with sharing your story.

https://linktr.ee/nenwbusinessawards

Proudly presented in partnership with Joblink Plus

02/06/2026

🏆 Every great entry starts with a great story. 🏆

Whether you are shaping your submission or refining the details for the New England North West Business Awards, we have made it easier to bring your achievements to life.

The Awards entry guide walks you through what the judges are looking for, our FAQs answer common questions along the way, and the T&Cs give you clarity and confidence before you submit.

Everything you need is there to support you so you can focus on telling your story at its best.

Save this as your go to resource hub you can come back to anytime with everything in one place: https://linktr.ee/nenwbusinessawards

Entries close 6 July.

01/06/2026

Tourism is one of the New England North West's greatest opportunities for economic growth, business development and community prosperity.

The New England North West is well positioned to benefit from continued growth in the visitor economy. The question is how we ensure that growth strengthens local businesses, supports community liveability and creates long-term prosperity across the region.

That conversation is happening at the New England North West Future Tourism Forum 2026.

Potential to Prosperity: Growing Sustainable Tourism in New England North West

Bringing together tourism operators, business leaders, local government representatives, policymakers and industry experts, this forum will explore how we can strengthen the visitor economy while enhancing the liveability and long-term prosperity of our communities.

Hear directly from:
• Karen Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Destination NSW
• The Hon Kevin Anderson MP, Shadow Minister for Tourism
• Lucy White, Chief Executive Officer, Destination Country & Outback NSW
• Min Seto, Executive Officer, Australian Social Value Bank

Alongside regional tourism voices from Angry Bull Trails, Austin Tourist Park, Tenterfield Chamber and Gunnedah Shire Council.

Together, we will explore:

• The future of regional tourism in NSW and opportunities for visitor dispersal
• Destination marketing and emerging tourism trends
• Infrastructure and investment priorities that support growth
• Housing and workforce accommodation opportunities
• Workforce and skills development for tourism and hospitality businesses
• The social and economic value tourism brings to regional communities
• Practical solutions through industry, government and community collaboration

Whether you work in tourism, business, local government, economic development or community leadership, this is an opportunity to contribute to a conversation that will help shape the future of the New England North West visitor economy.

The opportunities ahead are significant. The decisions, partnerships and priorities that support that growth matter just as much.

Join us in Tenterfield for a focused discussion on turning potential into prosperity.

Thursday 18 June 2026
Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts, Tenterfield
Tickets: $49 per person
Regional Leaders members attend free
Places are limited and registrations are now open:
https://tinyurl.com/yz3pc5pw

New England North West Future Tourism Forum 2026 Potential to Prosperity: Growing Sustainable Tourism in New England North West Tourism is one of the New England North West's greatest economic opportunities. But real growth requires more than attracting visitors. It requires the right infrastr...

29/05/2026

🏆 Entries are now open for the 2026 New England North West Business Awards.

Business NSW is inviting businesses, employers and individuals from across the region to enter the 2026 New England North West Business Awards, proudly supported by Major Partner Joblink Plus.

The Awards recognise the businesses and people driving innovation, creating opportunities and contributing to the strength of our regional economy.

Whether you're a small business, family enterprise or major employer, this is your opportunity to showcase your achievements and be recognised among the region's best.

📅 Entries close 6 July.
🏆 21 categories open for entry.

Enter now: https://tinyurl.com/yc6wpskd

Major Partner: Joblink Plus

Media Partner: WIN Network Tamworth

29/05/2026

Yesterday in Inverell, we had the privilege of bringing together local business leaders, industry experts, and community champions for an important conversation about the future of regional business, AI, and connectivity.

What stood out most wasn’t the technology itself, it was the mindset in the room. Practical. Curious. Forward thinking. Grounded in the realities and opportunities New England North West businesses are navigating every day.

A consistent message echoed throughout the event: before diving into AI solutions, businesses must first identify their greatest opportunity for growth and improvement. The most successful use of AI isn’t about adopting technology for technology’s sake, it’s about strategically applying it where it can create the greatest impact.

The panel discussion reinforced this. Businesses that clearly define the area with the most potential for efficiency, growth, or innovation can then use AI with purpose, confidence, and measurable outcomes. Alongside this opportunity came an equally important reminder: strong cybersecurity practices are essential to protecting data, maintaining trust, and enabling the safe adoption of AI driven solutions.

There was also genuine excitement around what’s ahead for regional Australia, particularly with improved connectivity on the horizon through Telstra’s emerging satellite capabilities, opening new possibilities for businesses and communities alike.

A huge thank you to our major partner Telstra and speaker Michael Marom for helping drive such an important discussion with his keynote.

We were also honoured to hear from:

Kate Dight, Mayor of Inverell Shire Council
Monique Krause from the Inverell Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Tim Coates, NENW Regional Advisory Council and President,President’s Council

And to our outstanding AI contributors:
Justin Melton from Chill.IT for the practical Co-Pilot demonstration
Prof. Mark Perry from University of New England, AU for insights into AI ethics
Hamish Leahy HLD Software Group for sharing your incredible story.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended, contributed to the discussion, and stayed for the networking lunch. Events like this remind us how strong, innovative, and collaborative regional business communities truly are. It was a pleasure to be in Inverell supported by Inverell Chamber of Commerce & Industry.