MUNICIPAL 2021 PLAN 2022 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR 8 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO 10 OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS 12 YOUR RATES 14 ELECTED MEMBERS 16 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM 18 OUR PEOPLE 19 OUR PERFORMANCE 19 FAMILY & COMMUNITY 20 VIBRANT ECONOMY 22 CULTURAL DIVERSITY 24 A FUTURE FOCUS 26 COUNCIL RESPECTFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 28 the Larrakia People; the traditional owners of the land and waters of the Palmerston Region, and pays GOVERNANCE 30 respect to their Elders: past, present and future. OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES 32 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 38 2 CITY OF PALMERSTON | MUNICIPAL PLAN | 2021-22 3 OUR VISION Our vision recognises the importance of valuing and investing in the INTRODUCTION natural environment, balancing economic considerations, and focussing on innovation to enable social transformation in Palmerston. This municipal plan is the City of Palmerston’s ‘action plan’ on the services, programs, events, facilities and infrastructure we will deliver and maintain in The Community Plan defines this vision and outlines our priorities, which 2021–22. It also contains our annual budget, which outlines proposed Council are shaped by the community members who were directly involved in rates, fees and charges. creating it. The Community Plan gives our community, businesses and Territorians certainty and what they can expect from Council over the This important document also brings together the actions we’ve committed to in next 10 years. We will work towards these long-term outcomes our our Community Plan and our Long-Term Financial Plan (which can be accessed community wants and expects. from the Council’s website: https://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/council/forms- and-publications/publications). The City of Palmerston’s vision is to create ‘A Place for People’, where we focus on our strengths to ensure our city thrives into the future. Our community is at the centre of everything we do. In achieving this, we contribute to the vision where: • Palmerston is a welcoming, vibrant, family-friendly city that fosters diversity and unity. • In Palmerston, everyone belongs, and everyone feels safe. COMMUNITY PLAN OUTCOMES: • Family and community: Palmerston is a safe and family-friendly CITY OF community where everyone belongs. PALMERSTON • Vibrant economy: Palmerston is a destination city for employ- ment. It is a place where businesses are encouraged to set up MUNICIPALITY and grow. • Cultural diversity: In Palmerston, we celebrate our cultures in a way that values our diversity. • A Future focus: Palmerston is an innovative city that sustains itself through the challenges of the future. • Environmental sustainability: Palmerston is an environmentally friendly, liveable city that promotes renewable practices and sustainability. • Governance: Council is trusted by the community and invests in things that the public value. The outcomes include the objectives we need to achieve and the ways we’ll measure our success in achieving them. 4 CITY OF PALMERSTON | MUNICIPAL PLAN | 2021-22 5 PUBLIC CONSULTATION Local governments in the Northern Territory undertake planning and reporting activities in line with the Local Government Act 2008 and Local Government Regulations. The City of Palmerston welcomes feedback from the public about the draft Municipal Plan and Budget 2021– 39,032 30 22, which will be online and open for submissions here POPULATION MEDIAN AGE from 06 May 2021 to 03 June 2021. We will review all submissions at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 15 June 2021. Council will adopt the approved Municipal Plan before 31 July 2021, in line with the Local Government Act. MAKING A SUBMISSION: ONLINE Have Your Say at Council’s website: www.palmerston.nt.gov.au MAIL 52 Attn: Chief Executive Officer 2 $737 MILLION Municipal Plan and Budget 2021–22 submission City of Palmerston KM TOTAL ASSET VALUE PO BOX 1, Palmerston NT 0831 GEOGRAPHICAL AREA EMAIL [email protected] $42 $1.7 MILLION BILLION TOTAL BUDGET EXPENSES LOCAL ECONOMY 6 CITY OF PALMERSTON | MUNICIPAL PLAN | 2021-22 7 I am pleased to present the City of Palmerston draft Council is working with the Northern Territory Government to Municipal Plan and Budget for 2021–22. secure a community purpose site within Zuccoli. If secured Council will deliver the first stage of the Zuccoli Community The Council Municipal Plan and Budget represents our Hub being a regional dog park. strategic vision and outlines our projects, events, and service priorities over the next year. The plan focuses a range of We continue developing strong partnerships with both the medium and long-term goals in line with the outcomes set Northern Territory Government and Australian Government in our Community Plan. The Community Plan was developed and have secured support in the form of grants. This funding by Palmerston residents and is a comprehensive document will be used to deliver infrastructure for our community, that helps council shape the future of Palmerston. We were encourage innovation, increase environmental sustainability, honoured to receive the Planning Institute of Australia’s and support businesses in a competitive global economy. We (Northern Territory) 2020 Public Engagement and Community would like to thank and acknowledge both the Australian and Planning Award for our Community Plan and we were Northern Territory Governments for their commitments to the nominated for the national award within this category. well-being of the Palmerston community. This year’s municipal plan was drafted with the intent to In 2022 we will continue projects such as greening public stimulate the local economy through the implementation of a open space through tree planting initiatives. We will continue wide range of projects, partnerships and initiatives. Despite to offer free parking across the city and free access to the the challenges presented by COVID-19, we have continued to swimming pool to help support the Palmerston community. work on major projects including the redevelopment of the Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present some Gray Community Hall, SWELL and Zuccoli Community Hub. uncertainty we will continue to implement the Community Council will be delivering the $15 million SWELL project Plan whilst providing services and support to our community. utilising loan funding for Council’s contribution and funding With the planned launch of the City of Palmerston Local from the Northern Territory Government. Council is awaiting Economic Plan, Council will be better placed to implement a the outcome of an application to the Australia Government broad range of strategies to support the local economy. for support funding through their Building Better Regions Council uses the 10-year Financial Plan to forecast and Program. ensure the sustainable utilisation of Council funds to deliver Operationally, the SWELL Centre will generate in the the best possible value to the community. order of: The organisation itself is strong and financially viable. • 350,000 annual visitations; Through prudent and responsible budgeting, planning and • $3.5 million indirect expenditure; and financial management, Council will continue to deliver quality services to the community and replace and renew • 20 direct full-time-equivalent jobs. assets now and into the future, ensuring the same high level Major economic benefits to be generated as a result of of service for each generation. the SWELL Centre are: Palmerston is ‘A Place for People’, and Council puts our MESSAGE FROM • Approximately 39 construction jobs and 20 ongoing full-time community at the centre of all we do. We take every equivalent operational jobs; opportunity to consult with our residents and involve them in • Total cost related benefits over ten years of $75,229,195; decision making and are seeking input from you to assist in refining this draft. • Total economic and social benefits over ten years of $156,417,883; THE MAYOR • Net present value of benefits of between $99,402,136 and I look forward to working with you, the Palmerston $137,012,256; community, local businesses and government to see these • Net present value of costs of between $47,249,320 and goals come to fruition. $61,326,646; and • Benefits Cost Ratio of between 2.1 to 2.23. A range of social benefits will be generated from the SWELL Centre, including the following outcome types: • Liveability; • Social interaction; • Health; and • Education. ATHINA PASCOE-BELL City of Palmerston Mayor 8 CITY OF PALMERSTON | MUNICIPAL PLAN | 2021-22 9 The City of Palmerston is in the middle of a significant growth, Over the next year, Council will be spending $500,000 on both socially and economically. Palmerston covers an area of tree planting. We will improve safety in public places with an roughly 52km2 with our resident population increased to over additional investment of $500,000 by lighting dark spots. 39,000. Unlike many other major communities in the Northern Following the Verge Assistance program which was a Territory, our population of young people and young families resounding success in 2020-21 with 260 residents receiving is growing with a median age of only 30 years. Despite the financial assistance, we have allocated additional $40,000 for adverse global conditions, our local economy has taken a major the program delivery in 2021-22. leap to a sum of $1.6 billion fuelling prosperity of the region. Our overall Community Satisfaction performance score has Council has developed an Inclusive, Diverse and Accessible increased from last year and is currently at its highest level (IDA) Policy Framework with input from local community since 2014. I am excited to lead this organisation at a time of organisations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander such great promise. organisations, disability groups, seniors, youth groups, parents, and migrants and refugees living in Palmerston. The framework As an organisation we have put enormous effort into will ensure principles of diversity, inclusion and accessibility making sure that Council is accessible and responsive to underpin how we plan and deliver programs and services with our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.