Palmerston council members soften stance on merger with Darwin after rating change

PALMERSTON’S elected members have softened their stance on amalgamation — a change of heart from less than two years ago

Palmerston council building pic for the web

PALMERSTON’S elected members have softened their stance on amalgamation — a change of heart from less than two years ago.

Mayor Ian Abbott said while his council did not support the idea of Darwin and Palmerston councils merging under one roof, his personal opinion differed.

Palmerston mayor Ian Abbott. PICTURE: Michael Franchi

“I welcome the debate (of) amalgamation in regards to what are the pros and cons of that,” he said.

“(It’s) a conversation that probably needs to be had … we need to discuss what are the core services of council are and what will people accept and not accept.”

Two years ago the Palmerston council “reacted decisively in strongly opposing any proposal for amalgamation with the City of Darwin”, after Darwin alderman Gary Lambert suggested the Top End was over-governed with too many local government politicians.

At the time, Palmerston council said it would not amalgamate because there were different rating systems across the two councils.

But, newly elected alderman Athina Pascoe-Bell said Palmerston’s rating change to UCV last year could bring a new perspective to the conversation.

“Now that this has changed, if the question of amalgamation is raised again, all the pros and cons need to be explored in order to determine what is best for the future of the city and the community,” she said.

“It may be that amalgamation is not best for the people of Palmerston but it should still be explored.”

Member for Brennan Peter Chandler said an amalgamation could potentially see more money in ratepayers’ pockets.

“Ultimately you would expect that if you could do things from a larger scale, the economy of scale is something that can always benefit from a larger organisation than having a smaller one.”

He said Palmerston council needed to focus on council issues.

Mr Abbott said the dangers of amalgamating two councils could result in one council becoming a mouthpiece for the government.

“It would turn political,” Mr Abbott said.