Council have passed another fantastic initiative with a composting rebate program set to be available from January 2022 for all Palmerston households.  
 
The rebate program is aligned with City of Palmerston’s Environmental Sustainability objective; to reduce our footprint on the environment. This is achieved by ensuring people are engaged and encouraged to adopt sustainable and environmental practices, increase education and awareness and by providing opportunities for the community to recycle with ease. 
 
Council collects and disposes over 8500 tonnes of waste to landfill each year with the volume of food waste being potentially adding up to 3400 tonnes. The rebate program will provide up to $50 to eligible Palmerston households towards the purchase of compost bins or worm farms.   
 
City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell welcomes the program. 
 
“What a wonderful, effective initiative brought to Council! I encourage all Palmerston residents to apply for this rebate and play a role in achieving our Environmental Sustainability goals for the city,” she said. 
 
Deputy Mayor Sarah Henderson raised the notice of motion at the previous Council meeting. 

“I’m delighted this was accepted and supported so quickly. Food waste can contribute up to 40% of household waste, and a simply rebate system like this is a small step towards Council supporting and education recycling within the community,” she said after Tuesday night’s meeting.

Initial calculations from the program shows that with just 200 households participating, it is estimated that the program could divert as much as 55 tonnes from landfill, which has a disposal value of over $5,000. This is an incredible amount and Council look forward to rolling out this initiative.  
 
This program compliments the current Draft Sustainability Strategy which has completed consultation and is now being finalised for Council adoption in January. The strategy explores the following four areas: Environment, Community, Governance and Economy. Further information can be found at palmerston.nt.gov.au. 
 
An education and marketing campaign will add to the initiative and will begin in December, ready for commencement of the program in January 2022.  
 
-ENDS- 
 
 
 
Media Contacts 
becky.saywell@palmerston.nt.gov.au 
media@palmerston.nt.gov.au