City of Palmerston wants to hear from our community to help determine a suitable suburban location to for an outdoor basketball half-court. 

City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell explained that Council is keen to increase opportunities for Palmerston residents to participate in informal active recreation.

“3-on-3 basketball, which is generally played on a basketball half-court, is a very popular sport in Palmerston and across the NT. 

Council provides the Palmerston Recreation Centre for community groups, sporting clubs and organisations to offer a range of sport and recreation activities, including popular basketball sessions. The addition of this outdoor court will provide another opportunity for Palmerston residents to get outdoors and play sport. 

This project will complement the number of recreational facilities provided by Council, including existing outdoor basketball half-courts (located in Woodroffe, Gray, Johnston, Moulden, CBD), the four exersites and the 57 playgrounds across the municipality.

As our community grows, Council will continue to ensure that Palmerston is “A Place for People” by providing increased facilities for our residents, as well as supporting our commitment to encouraging healthy and active recreation,” she said. 

Proposed locations include:

•    Cornwallis Park, GRAY
•    Flinders Park, DURACK 
•    Joan Fejo Park, ROSEBERY
•    Lindsay Park, MOULDEN
•    Marlow Lagoon Recreation Reserve, MARLOW LAGOON
•    President Park, DRIVER
•    Sanctuary Lakes, GUNN
•    Woodroffe Park, WOODROFFE

Council has prioritised locations where no such facilities currently exist in the local area, which have suitable land available and ideally, have existing infrastructure already in place to support this new addition. 

As part of the project Council will review updating existing landscaping and determine outdoor furniture requirements at the chosen location. (Lighting will not be installed as this will be a daytime facility only). Council anticipates the new half-court to be available for use by September 2018.

Proposed location options, and the existing outdoor basketball half-courts, may be viewed at www.palmerston.nt.gov.au 

Council is eager to receive feedback from residents, and in addition to the usual methods of communication, will also target consultation activities for young residents via school visits and attending youth sports sessions run by local organisations.

Council is funding this project and acknowledges the $11,000 assistance from the Commonwealth Government’s Stronger Communities grant programme. 

The community can address their comments on the project to the Community Engagement Team at:
•    Online at www.palmerston.nt.gov.au
•    Email: palmerston@palmerston.nt.gov.au
•    By post: PO Box 1, Palmerston NT 0831
•    In person: Delivered to Council’s Office, 1 Chung Wah Terrace, Palmerston 

All comments must be received by 5pm, Monday 30 July 2018 for consideration.