Please to say, joining me in the studio right now is the Mayor of Palmerston, Athena Pasco Bell. Good morning to you, good morning, good to see you. Thanks so much for joining us today. Now we've been speaking quite a bit over recent days, I suppose about the federal election. Was there much in it for the Palmerston Council.

Please to say, joining me in the studio right now is the Mayor of Palmerston, Athena Pasco Bell. Good morning to you, good morning, good to see you. Thanks so much for joining us today. Now we've been speaking quite a bit over recent days, I suppose about the federal election. Was there much in it for the Palmerston Council.

Probably not, nothing specific for Palmerston, but generally for councils across the Northern Territory in Australia, there's a slight increase in federal assistance grants and roads to recovery funding, so that's always welcome. That allows us then to get some of our other projects up and running and make sure that the local roads are maintained, because councils do maintain the vast majority of roads right across Australia. The Commonwealth government and the Northern Territory government only maintain main roads. So when you think about every single little side street that you drive down, that's council.

Probably not, nothing specific for Palmerston, but generally for councils across the Northern Territory in Australia, there's a slight increase in federal assistance grants and roads to recovery funding, so that's always welcome. That allows us then to get some of our other projects up and running and make sure that the local roads are maintained, because councils do maintain the vast majority of roads right across Australia. The Commonwealth government and the Northern Territory government only maintain main roads. So when you think about every single little side street that you drive down, that's council.

Every pothole that has to be fixed, all those kinds of things. Especially when there's weather like these.

Every pothole that has to be fixed, all those kinds of things. Especially when there's weather like these.

Rites, potholes open up everywhere and it's a real pain for everyone, especially for our contractors because they have to wait for dry weather to be able to patch them properly, and it can take a long time for dry weather to come around when you're getting rainy days every day.

Rites, potholes open up everywhere and it's a real pain for everyone, especially for our contractors because they have to wait for dry weather to be able to patch them properly, and it can take a long time for dry weather to come around when you're getting rainy days every day.

Yeah, and Athena, we'd probably all been hoping we might hear more in the budget for the Northern Territory, but it is an election year. We're just I reckon potentially hours out from an election being called. Is there anything that the Palmerston Council is sort of hoping might you know, like you might get announced as we lead into that federal election from either side of politics. Yeah.

Yeah, and Athena, we'd probably all been hoping we might hear more in the budget for the Northern Territory, but it is an election year. We're just I reckon potentially hours out from an election being called. Is there anything that the Palmerston Council is sort of hoping might you know, like you might get announced as we lead into that federal election from either side of politics. Yeah.

So it's no secret that we've been lobbying all levels of government for grant funding for Zicoli Community Hubs for the next few stages, which will eventually include a library and a community center, eskate park, pump track, basketball half court or a multipurpose court, a large playground, and walking trails. So the dog park's there at the moment. The other major project we have on our books is the redevelopment of Driver Community Center, which is an old childcare center, and that project is ready to go, so all the plans have been finalized. We've have I think we're about to apply for a building permit. We're just waiting for the money for that as well.

So it's no secret that we've been lobbying all levels of government for grant funding for Zicoli Community Hubs for the next few stages, which will eventually include a library and a community center, eskate park, pump track, basketball half court or a multipurpose court, a large playground, and walking trails. So the dog park's there at the moment. The other major project we have on our books is the redevelopment of Driver Community Center, which is an old childcare center, and that project is ready to go, so all the plans have been finalized. We've have I think we're about to apply for a building permit. We're just waiting for the money for that as well.

So right, how much.

So right, how much.

Three million for that one? But Zakoli Community Hub all in is closer to thirty million dollars with all of those elements, so lobbying all levels of politics and both sides of politics as well, you'll get that funding for Palmerston.

Three million for that one? But Zakoli Community Hub all in is closer to thirty million dollars with all of those elements, so lobbying all levels of politics and both sides of politics as well, you'll get that funding for Palmerston.

Well, goodness knows what could get announced over the coming days and weeks AVENA, we'll all be keeping a very close eye on it. Now.

Well, goodness knows what could get announced over the coming days and weeks AVENA, we'll all be keeping a very close eye on it. Now.

We know.

We know.

The decision to split the city of Palmeston intowards the next council election, it was one that had raised a few eyebrows. I know you and I had spoken about that previously, and now it's been reversed. As I understand it is that the case. It's no longer going ahead.

The decision to split the city of Palmeston intowards the next council election, it was one that had raised a few eyebrows. I know you and I had spoken about that previously, and now it's been reversed. As I understand it is that the case. It's no longer going ahead.

That's right. So a few weeks ago Minister Steve Edgington revoked that decision. So that's been gazetted, so we will not be going towards in Palmerston at the council election this August, which is great news. There have also been some changes made to the local government legislation, so that's currently sitting before the Parliament to make sure that the Minister has the final say on whether councils are split into wards or not. Right, so our council of course is supportive of that. When the decision was made to put Wards into Palmerston, we don't believe that we were heard, as the community leaders and the people the experts in those areas about whether we need Wards or not. None of the submissions made were favorable, but that panel still decided to go ahead and do it.

That's right. So a few weeks ago Minister Steve Edgington revoked that decision. So that's been gazetted, so we will not be going towards in Palmerston at the council election this August, which is great news. There have also been some changes made to the local government legislation, so that's currently sitting before the Parliament to make sure that the Minister has the final say on whether councils are split into wards or not. Right, so our council of course is supportive of that. When the decision was made to put Wards into Palmerston, we don't believe that we were heard, as the community leaders and the people the experts in those areas about whether we need Wards or not. None of the submissions made were favorable, but that panel still decided to go ahead and do it.

Yeah, why was it something that you were you know that you're opposed to seeing happen.

Yeah, why was it something that you were you know that you're opposed to seeing happen.

We look at Palmerston as one community of interest and because you can drive from Palmerston from one side to the other in any direction in less than fifteen minutes, we know that our community is very close knit and sticks together. It's not like the regional councils where you might have you know, eight hours drive from one community to the next, or you know a day's drive from one side to the next. There are no there's no difference in language groups or culture, and all of our community organizations basically service all of Palmerston. So when you think about you know, the Magpie Football Club or the soccer codes. You know, it is just the one team servicing the whole community. So when you have a community of interest, it's people who have shared interests and shared vision. They come together and that is how Palmerston operates.

We look at Palmerston as one community of interest and because you can drive from Palmerston from one side to the other in any direction in less than fifteen minutes, we know that our community is very close knit and sticks together. It's not like the regional councils where you might have you know, eight hours drive from one community to the next, or you know a day's drive from one side to the next. There are no there's no difference in language groups or culture, and all of our community organizations basically service all of Palmerston. So when you think about you know, the Magpie Football Club or the soccer codes. You know, it is just the one team servicing the whole community. So when you have a community of interest, it's people who have shared interests and shared vision. They come together and that is how Palmerston operates.

It seemed to be odd to me that it was going to be split up, Like I sort of thought, that's not your spot on, That's not how I've experienced Palmerston operating. Everybody does seem to work together, as you've rightly pointed out, you know, when you look at the footy club or you look at the different teams that are out there, everybody does seem to you know, to come together. So it seemed like a bit of a strange choice to make. So it sounds like a bit of common sense is prevailed.

It seemed to be odd to me that it was going to be split up, Like I sort of thought, that's not your spot on, That's not how I've experienced Palmerston operating. Everybody does seem to work together, as you've rightly pointed out, you know, when you look at the footy club or you look at the different teams that are out there, everybody does seem to you know, to come together. So it seemed like a bit of a strange choice to make. So it sounds like a bit of common sense is prevailed.

Yeah. The Minister did state to me that when he read the report he didn't actually see any reason for them splitting Palmerston into wards, so there was no evidence or justification really provided, which made his decision fairly easy then to say no, that that won't be happening in Palmerston now I understand.

Yeah. The Minister did state to me that when he read the report he didn't actually see any reason for them splitting Palmerston into wards, so there was no evidence or justification really provided, which made his decision fairly easy then to say no, that that won't be happening in Palmerston now I understand.

The Local Government Representative or Representation Committee back in twenty three also recommended an extra counselor join the current seven given the city's rapid growth, is that happening?

The Local Government Representative or Representation Committee back in twenty three also recommended an extra counselor join the current seven given the city's rapid growth, is that happening?

Look, I don't think so. I think that was based on whether we went towards right because we've got myself as the mayor and seven councilors and sevens are prime number, so when you're splitting into wards, it makes it really difficult to have unequal representation in wards. So I think that recommendation for an extra councilor was just in the scenario if there were wards o thein.

Look, I don't think so. I think that was based on whether we went towards right because we've got myself as the mayor and seven councilors and sevens are prime number, so when you're splitting into wards, it makes it really difficult to have unequal representation in wards. So I think that recommendation for an extra councilor was just in the scenario if there were wards o thein.

Let's move a long to some of what's happening out in Palmerston. I know there's a series of free workshops that are set to be held for Palmerston business owners and entrepreneurs in April and May. What's that going to involve?

Let's move a long to some of what's happening out in Palmerston. I know there's a series of free workshops that are set to be held for Palmerston business owners and entrepreneurs in April and May. What's that going to involve?

So they'll be free workshops. They'll be held at Durak Community Arts Center from nine to thirty am to eleven am. The first one is Marketing one oh one on Friday, the eleventh of April and its presenter will be Noil Richardson from the Business Enterprise Center NT. The second workshop is on Thursday, the first of May. It's cash flow management. Ali Durrani from AMAF Consultants will be running that one and the third workshop on Friday the twenty third of May is Organic Social Media Planning for your Business. It's right by Leanne from White Spatial Social.

So they'll be free workshops. They'll be held at Durak Community Arts Center from nine to thirty am to eleven am. The first one is Marketing one oh one on Friday, the eleventh of April and its presenter will be Noil Richardson from the Business Enterprise Center NT. The second workshop is on Thursday, the first of May. It's cash flow management. Ali Durrani from AMAF Consultants will be running that one and the third workshop on Friday the twenty third of May is Organic Social Media Planning for your Business. It's right by Leanne from White Spatial Social.

So how do people if they want some further detail, they can just jump online to the Palmerston Council.

So how do people if they want some further detail, they can just jump online to the Palmerston Council.

Website, jump on the website and registered your interest. So we are now moving towards putting additional supports in for Palmerston businesses. We have a lot of them and trying to get them to grow and you know, more GDP for Palmerston. Yeah.

Website, jump on the website and registered your interest. So we are now moving towards putting additional supports in for Palmerston businesses. We have a lot of them and trying to get them to grow and you know, more GDP for Palmerston. Yeah.

Absolutely, Oh and we all want to see you know, businesses growing. You want to see things going well for those that run businesses. I also want to ask you I understand there's set to be a bit of work at Marlow Lagoon the playground there is it being refurbished.

Absolutely, Oh and we all want to see you know, businesses growing. You want to see things going well for those that run businesses. I also want to ask you I understand there's set to be a bit of work at Marlow Lagoon the playground there is it being refurbished.

Yep, so the junior playground. The refurbishment commenced a few weeks ago and that was following some community consultation that happened last year. So the refurbishment includes more inclusive play elements, some musical elements and sensory play and different swing options for little kids as well.

Yep, so the junior playground. The refurbishment commenced a few weeks ago and that was following some community consultation that happened last year. So the refurbishment includes more inclusive play elements, some musical elements and sensory play and different swing options for little kids as well.

Yeah, good stuff. Hey, before I let you go, I know that Youth Week. It's going to be getting underway and really you guys are seeking businesses to be involved with the Youth Festival. It's not until July, but the earlier the better. I'm assuming that if people are.

Yeah, good stuff. Hey, before I let you go, I know that Youth Week. It's going to be getting underway and really you guys are seeking businesses to be involved with the Youth Festival. It's not until July, but the earlier the better. I'm assuming that if people are.

Yeah, so we're looking for people who want to participate in the Palmerston Youth Festival. So vendors or people who run different activities or programs get in touch with the team at Council. It's even food vans and those sorts of things for the event. Get in touch with Counsel and we'll see whether you can squeeze into our program for the Youth Festival.

Yeah, so we're looking for people who want to participate in the Palmerston Youth Festival. So vendors or people who run different activities or programs get in touch with the team at Council. It's even food vans and those sorts of things for the event. Get in touch with Counsel and we'll see whether you can squeeze into our program for the Youth Festival.

Good stuff for Lathena Pasco Bell, the Mayor of Palmerston. Always good to catch up with you. Thank you for your time this morning.

Good stuff for Lathena Pasco Bell, the Mayor of Palmerston. Always good to catch up with you. Thank you for your time this morning.

Thank you

Thank you