City of Palmerston has released its Draft Municipal Plan and Budget 2019/2020 for community feedback. 

The Municipal Plan is a key publication outlining Council’s commitment to providing quality services and infrastructure to the community and how they will be resourced.

The Municipal Plan and Budget ensures that Council continues to deliver and build on services to the community and invest in the ongoing renewal of the $736 million of community infrastructure assets.  

Municipal Plan highlights include: 
A Future Focus

• $2 million Smart Cities Program to use technology to make our community safer and more liveable
• $1.32 million on roads and safety 
• $605,000 new and renewed footpaths and driveways
• $130,000 park shading projects 

Family and Community

• $1.64 million for library services, resources and new books
• $300,000 for a Palmerston Youth Festival
• $130,000 available in community grants 
• $270,000 to deliver community events 
• $570,000 on playgrounds 

Cultural Diversity 

• $310,000 for art and culture including $80,000 for public art
• Return of Geekfest Top End in July 2019

Environmental Sustainability 

• 4,700 street and public lights to be replaced with energy efficient LEDs
• Increase in Council’s investment in tree planting to $500,000
• $100,000 towards waste and recycling initiatives including education campaigns
• $200,000 towards Solar PV systems for Council buildings to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions

Vibrant Economy 

• 365 free timed carparks as part of Council’s Parking Strategy
• Implementation of the Palmerston Local Economic Plan
• Continued local supplier weighting of 20% procurement opportunities to support local businesses and employment

Governance 

• Continuation of ‘Council to the Community’ meetings

City of Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said Council has and will continue to work hard to identify efficiencies and savings to meet the needs of our growing community.  

“To achieve this, Council has developed a proposed budget where 67% of residential rateable properties will only increase by 19c per week ($10 per year). Most other residential rateable properties will see an increase of no more than $1.00 per week. This equates to a general rate increase of 2.9% which will be offset by a reduction of $20 per property’s residential kerbside waste charge.  

Our Draft Municipal Plan continues to make Palmerston ‘A Place for People’ and builds on the work this Council has started to deliver our vision for our city’s growth, sustainability and liveability.

I encourage the community to read and share their thoughts so we can provide a plan that the community supports”.

The Draft Municipal Plan and Budget is available to view at Council’s website,  www.palmerston.nt.gov.au, with feedback closing Thursday 6 June 2019