The federal Minister for Agriculture, Senator Joe Ludwig, has rejected an application for Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance for a group of Delungra farmers, in north-west New South Wales.

PHIL Girle and Anthony Michael will go head to head on December 11 for the Inverell Shire Council by-election.

FARMERS and small businesses in the Delungra area will get some financial assistance from the government before a decision is made on its claim for Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance.

The Federal Government has announced an interim assistance package for farmers and small businesses from the Delungra area, in the north-west of New South Wales, while the area's Exceptional Circumstances drought application is being assessed.

A GROUP of wine buyers from Sydney will visit Armidale next week as part of Industry & Investment NSW’s 2010 Regional NSW Boutique Wine Tour.