Palmerston ward proposal opposed by city council ahead of 2025 election

An electoral committee’s ‘determined’ pursuit to split Palmerston into wards could be legally challenged by the city’s council. Here’s why the move is being fiercely opposed.

A proposal to split the City of Palmerston into wards has been met with criticism by the local council and community members. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A controversial move to split the City of Palmerston into wards could be legally challenged, its mayor has revealed.

The Local Government Representation Review Committee has raised the idea in light of the city’s rapid population growth.

Four wards could be created if the proposal goes ahead, with six to eight elected members distributed across them.

The changes would come into effect at the local government’s next election in August 2025.

Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said the committee had “very aggressively” pursued the move, even before public submissions on the proposal opened in August last year.

“They haven’t made a final decision yet but it appears they are determined that Palmerston get wards,” she said.

“There have not been any submissions that would favour the introduction of wards and our council is very strong in their position against it.

City of Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell has raised concerns the ward proposal has been pursued despite all public submissions siding against the idea. Photograph: Che Chorley

“We’ve been disappointed throughout the process and we’re not confident the issue has been given due consideration.

“There’s a lot of work that’s been done to build a cohesive community and we don’t want to see Palmerston divided.”

More than two-thirds of respondents in an NT News survey voted against the ward proposal.

Palmerston’s seven elected councillors equally represent the municipality under the current structure, which extends from Pinelands to Mitchell.

From July 2023, the council’s boundary will include Elrundie and Tivendale and parts of East Arm, Wishart and Berrimah.

The City of Palmerston’s next election is due to take place in August 2025. Picture: Michael Franchi

Ms Pascoe-Bell said the council would consider taking legal action if the split moved ahead.

“Our only option may be to apply to the Supreme Court to review the decision,” she said.

“That would be an extremely costly exercise for council and something we haven’t properly considered yet.

“It’s not off the cards though.”

The independent committee, chaired by Local Government Association NT chief executive Sean Holden, said the proposal was driven by Palmerston’s current and predicted population growth.

“City of Palmerston elector numbers have increased from 21,261 at the 2018 election to 23,559 at the 2021 election, and continual growth is predicted towards the 2025 election,” a NT Electoral spokesman said.

“In accordance with section 31(c) (of the Local Government Act 2019) this growth trend necessitates the committee evaluating whether wards be introduced.

“With 24,608 City of Palmerston electors (as at 31 October) this is well above the threshold of 18,000.”

Ms Pascoe-Bell said the ward structure would do the “compact” Top End city a disservice.

“I completely understand for councils with very distinct language groups and communities, wards may be necessary,” she said.

“Our communities of interest are all spread across the council area.

“Our seniors live all throughout Palmerston, and we only have one club for each sporting code.

“Wards bring a chance of some being uncontested or unable to attract the best candidates, while others will be hotly contested.”

A final report and recommendation is expected to be handed to the Local Government Minister Chansey Paech this month.

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Originally published as Palmerston ward proposal opposed by city council ahead of 2025 election