City of Palmerston released its draft Municipal Plan and Budget 2020/2021 and draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2021/2030 for community consultation.  

The Municipal Plan is Council’s ‘action plan’, outlining services, programs, events, facilities and infrastructure it intends to provide and maintain for the 2020/21 financial year. It also contains Council’s Annual Budget, including proposed rates, fees and charges. 

City of Palmerston will be holding rates and its waste service charges for the coming financial year as part of its draft Municipal Plan and Budget.

The Municipal Plan and Budget, and the Long-Term Financial Plan, ensure Council continues to deliver and build on services to the community and invest in the ongoing renewal of $719 million of community infrastructure assets.  

Highlights for the coming year include:

• No increase from 2019/20 values for Rates, the Waste Service Charge and on all Council fees and charges. 
• Continuing to offer free entry to the Palmerston Pool.
• Continuing to provide free all-day parking in our City Centre until 30 September 2020.
• Continuing free community venue hire for our community groups until 30 September 2020.
• Rates Financial Hardship Applications for both residential and commercial ratepayers.
• Maintaining our City’s capital works program and Council’s significant local spend.
• $1 million of expedited capital work projects in partnership with the Northern Territory Government as part of the Special Community Assistance and Local Employment Grant.
• Partnering with Australian Government for the upgrade of Gray Community Hall.
• Maintaining our service levels across the whole Municipality, in all areas. 

Council’s capital budget of $6.139 million is structured to stimulate our economy and improve Palmerston’s liveability. 

• $130,000 for the upgrade of Marlow Lagoon Dog Park.
• $130,000 for an audio recording studio at the City of Palmerston Library.
• $1.3 million for Council facilities and building upgrades. 
• $55,000 for shading of playgrounds and open spaces. 
• $250,000 for further solar PV system installation for Council buildings to reduce energy cost.
• $85,000 Public Art Program.
• $80,000 Waste Education Program. 
• $250,000 for continuation of Council’s ‘Dark Spots’ upgrades.
• $150,000 for improvements to the City’s stormwater drain network.
• $889,500 for parks and reserves.
• $250,000 for tree planting.
• $2.3 million for road, shared paths and street amenity beautification.

Consultation

The draft Municipal Plan and Budget 2020/21 and draft Long-Term Financial Plan were available for the broader community to review for a 28 day period, with the consultation open from 4 June 2020 and closing on 2 July 2020. 

Council adopted its Municipal Plan and Budget 2020/21 and the Long-Term Financial Plan at its ordinary meeting on Tuesday 21 July 2020. 

Key documentation

Municipal Plan and Budget 2020/21 
Long-Term Financial Plan 2021/30 
DRAFT Municipal Plan and Budget 2020/21 
DRAFT Long-Term Financial Plan 2021/30