Wards for City of Palmerston have been scrapped ahead of council election in August

The decision to split the City of Palmerston into wards at the next council election has been reversed, months out from when it was scheduled to take effect. Find out why.

The decision to split the City of Palmerston into wards at the next council election has been reversed months out from when it was scheduled to take effect. Picture: Sam Lowe

The decision to split the City of Palmerston into wards at the next council election has been reversed months out from when it was scheduled to take effect.

A three-ward structure for Palmerston was gazetted in August 2023 by the former Local Government Minister, Chansey Paech, following recommendations by the Local Government Representation Committee.

The move came after the council boundaries were extended in July 2023 to cover previously unincorporated areas, including parts of Berrimah, East Arm and Wishart, as well as Elrundie and Tivendale.

Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell condemned the decision to split the City of Palmerston into wards. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The decision was immediately met with uproar from Palmerston residents and its council, with mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell even threatening to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court, among other options.

However no such appeal was needed, with a change of Territory government bringing about the reversal of the decision.

Had it not been reversed, the changes would have come into effect at the local government’s upcoming election in August 2025.

The decision was reversed by Minister for Local Government Steve Edgington. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development Steve Edgington said he was unsatisfied with the original determination.

“I was not satisfied that there was sufficient evidence, face-to-face consultations or information sessions with the broader Palmerston community from the Local Government Representation Committee to demonstrate the need for a three-ward system”, he said.

“I also factored in objections by the City of Palmerston to the three-ward structure.

“After carefully considering all the information presented to me, I reversed the determination under the Local Government Act 2019.”

While the decision to move to wards has been reversed, an additional councillor is still expected to join. Picture: Sam Lowe

A spokesman for the City of Palmerston said council was pleased with Mr Edgington’s decision.

“This outcome supports council’s commitment to effective community engagement and accessible representation for everyone,” he said.

In 2023, the committee also recommended an extra councillor join the existing seven representatives in light of Palmerston’s rapid growth.

This recommendation was taken on-board by the former government and has not been reversed, Mr Edgington said.

Originally published as Wards for City of Palmerston have been scrapped ahead of council election in August