View source for Palmerston, Northern Territory

{{Short description|Town in Australia}}
{{hatnote|For the pre-1911 Northern Territory town of Palmerston, see [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]]}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type          = city
| name          = Palmerston
| state         = nt
| lga           = City of Palmerston
| image         = Palmerston-CBD-NT.jpg
| caption       = Palmerston central business district
| coordinates = {{coord|12|28|50|S|130|58|59|E|display=inline,title}}
| pop           = 33,695
| pop_year      = {{CensusAU|2016}}
| pop_footnotes = <ref name="abs">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=70104|name=Palmerston (Statistical Area Level 3)|quick=on|accessdate=22 September 2020}}</ref>
| poprank   =
| density   = 9.1
| area      = 52.9
| est       = 1981
| timezone  = [[Time in Australia|ACST]]
| utc       = +9:30
| dist1     = 21
| location1 = [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]]
| dist2     = 297
| location2 = [[Katherine, Northern Territory|Katherine]]
| dist3     = 1478
| location3 = Alice Springs
| postcode  = 0830
| stategov  = [[Electoral division of Blain|Blain]]
| stategov2 = [[Electoral division of Brennan|Brennan]]
| stategov3 = [[Electoral division of Drysdale|Drysdale]]
| stategov4 = [[Electoral division of Spillett|Spillett]]
| stategov5 = [[Electoral division of Nelson (Northern Territory)|Nelson]]
| fedgov    = [[Division of Lingiari|Lingiari]]
| fedgov2   = [[Division of Solomon|Solomon]]
}}
'''Palmerston''' is a [[New town|planned]] [[satellite city]] of [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], the capital and [[Northern Territory#Cities and towns|largest city]] of [[Australia]]'s [[Northern Territory]]. The city is situated approximately 20 kilometres from the [[Darwin central business district]] and 10 kilometres from [[Howard Springs, Northern Territory|Howard Springs]] and the surrounding rural areas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Darwin to Palmerston City|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Darwin+NT/Palmerston+City+NT+0830/@-12.4425355,130.8807724,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x2cc0a0fc9f59043f:0x30217a82a247c20!2m2!1d130.8456418!2d-12.4634403!1m5!1m1!1s0x2cc0bd315ce6eac7:0x50217a82a254970!2m2!1d130.9851852!2d-12.4784614!3e0|access-date=2020-05-05|website=Darwin to Palmerston City|language=en}}</ref> Palmerston had a population of 33,695 at the [[2016 Australian census|2016 census]], making it the [[Northern Territory#Cities and towns|second largest city]] in the Northern Territory.<ref name="abs" /> According to the [[2021 Australian census|2021 census]], the population grew to 37,247 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Palmerston, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA72800 |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=abs.gov.au}}</ref>

There are eighteen suburbs in Palmerston, ten of which are close to the [[Palmerston City, Northern Territory|Palmerston city centre]]. Palmerston is mostly residential with two light industrial areas in the north of the city.

==History==

===1864–1911===
{{main|Darwin, Northern Territory}}
[[File:Palmerston from Fort Hill, Northern Territory, c. 1905(GN00712C).jpg|thumb|Palmerston from Fort Hill, 1905]]
Palmerston was the name chosen in 1864<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31843151 |title=Topics of the Day |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The South Australian Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide, SA |date=2 November 1864 |access-date=20 April 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> for the capital of the Northern Territory by the [[Government of South Australia]], which was then responsible for its administration, in recognition of [[Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston|the 3rd Viscount Palmerston]], who became [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]] in 1855.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nt.gov.au/lands/lis/placenames/origins/palmerstons.shtml |title=Palmerston City |access-date=31 March 2008 |work=NT Lands Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123190805/http://www.nt.gov.au/lands/lis/placenames/origins/palmerstons.shtml |archive-date=23 January 2008 }}</ref> The first site, as chosen by [[Boyle Travers Finniss]] at [[Escape Cliffs]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63513102 |title=Encampment at Escape Cliffs, Palmerston |newspaper=[[Illustrated Sydney News|Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 – 1872)]] |location=NSW |date=15 September 1866 |access-date=20 April 2012 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> near the mouth of the Adelaide River, on the coast of Adam Bay on the western side of the Cape Hotham peninsula in 1864,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63513102/5408718 |title=Escape Cliffs, Palmerston, Northern Territory |newspaper=[[Illustrated Sydney News|Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 – 1872)]] |location=NSW |date=15 September 1866 |access-date=20 April 2012 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} Drawing of Finniss's camp.</ref> was abandoned in 1867 and a second laid out by Surveyor-General [[George Goyder]] near Port Darwin in 1869.<ref>{{cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |id2=goyder-george-woodroffe-3647|title = Goyder, George Woodroffe (1826–1898)|date = 1972|access-date = 1 May 2015}}</ref><!-- The survey party almost invariably referred to their layout as "Port Darwin Township" rather than the official name <ref>Goyder Kerr, Margaret ''The Surveyors'' Rigby, Adelaide 1971 p.78 ISBN 0 85179 287 1</ref>--> The town was officially renamed Darwin in April 1911,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3266879 |title=Proclamation |newspaper=[[The Northern Territory Times|Northern Territory Times & Gazette]] |location=Darwin, NT |date=21 April 1911 |access-date=20 April 2012 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> after responsibility for the Northern Territory passed to the [[Commonwealth of Australia]] and it was officially gazetted as the City of Darwin in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/council/educational-resources/history-darwin|title = History of Darwin|access-date = 1 May 2015|website = History of Darwin|publisher = Darwin City Council|archive-date = 23 February 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140223030820/http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/council/educational-resources/history-darwin|url-status = dead}}</ref>

===1971–present===
The land for a new satellite city of Darwin was acquired in 1971 by the [[Government of Australia|Federal Government]] after concerns of under-supply of residential land in Darwin. The site was selected as the land was adjacent to existing transportation corridors. The decision to proceed with the development was made in 1980 and for the third time, the name of Palmerston was selected for the new city. Planning and development was managed by the Palmerston Development Authority.<ref name="Palmerston Development and Demographic Overview">{{cite web|url=http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/City_of_Palmerston___Profile.pdf |title=Palmerston City History |access-date=10 July 2008 |work=Palmerston City Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410155349/http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/City_of_Palmerston___Profile.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2008 }}</ref>

Development of Palmerston began during the early 1980s. Suburbs of Palmerston were built in stages. The first suburbs built were [[Gray, Northern Territory|Gray]] and [[Driver, Northern Territory|Driver]], followed by [[Moulden, Northern Territory|Moulden]], then [[Woodroffe, Northern Territory|Woodroffe]] and [[Marlow Lagoon]]. The urban area continued to grow throughout the 1990s, with the new suburbs of [[Bakewell, Northern Territory|Bakewell]], [[Rosebery, Northern Territory|Rosebery]] and [[Durack, Northern Territory|Durack]]. The population growth of Palmerston continues to be the highest in the Northern Territory.

The population increased by almost 8,000 people between 1991 and 2001 to a total of 21,000 people. Palmerston's population growth is expected to continue and reach over 40,000 people by 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.id.com.au/nt/commprofile/default.asp?id=251&gid=6000&pg=1 |title=Palmerston City |access-date=31 March 2008 |work=NT Community Profile |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521165520/http://www.id.com.au/nt/commprofile/default.asp?id=251 |archive-date=21 May 2008 }}</ref>

In 1995/1996 the construction commenced on 5 new Palmerston suburbs, [[Rosebery, Northern Territory|Rosebery]], [[Bakewell, Northern Territory|Bakewell]], [[Durack, Northern Territory|Durack]], [[Gunn, Northern Territory|Gunn]], and [[Farrar, Northern Territory|Farrar]]. These were developed in stages. In 2000 the Palmerston Town Council sought and obtained a change in the name of the municipality to [[City of Palmerston]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/City_of_Palmerston___Profile.pdf |title=Palmerston City Suburban Growth |access-date=10 July 2008 |work=Palmerston City |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721020424/http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/City_of_Palmerston___Profile.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2008 }}</ref>

Since then, other suburbs have been registered and remain in various stages of development, including [[Archer, Northern Territory|Archer]] (2001), [[Bellamack]] (2001), [[Johnston, Northern Territory|Johnston]] (2007), [[Zuccoli, Northern Territory|Zuccoli]] (2007) and [[Mitchell, Northern Territory|Mitchell]] (2007).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Place Names Register|url=https://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/placenames/|website=www.ntlis.nt.gov.au|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>[[File:Palmerston-water-tank.jpg|thumb|Palmerston Water Tank|228x228px]]

== Landmarks ==
The major landmark in Palmerston is the [[PowerWater]]'s water storage tank, which supplies the city with fresh potable water. Formerly, the city had a large escarpment in the heart of the city, with extensive walking paths and a small creek, but the area has since been converted into an open grassy area; the community space known as Goyder Square.

==Geography==
[[File:City of Palmerston Northern Territory in April 2010.jpg|thumb|An aerial view of Palmerston and its surrounds]]
Palmerston is located between the outer industrial areas of [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] and the rural areas of [[Howard Springs, Northern Territory|Howard Springs]], 20 kilometres (13&nbsp;mi) southeast of Darwin, and is situated in the local government area of the [[City of Palmerston]].

The urban area of Palmerston extends from the [[Stuart Highway]] in the north and east and the [[East Arm, Northern Territory|East Arm]] inlet to the west and south.

===Regions and suburbs===
{{main|List of Palmerston suburbs}}
The City of Palmerston initially consisted of the Palmerston Town (CBD), as well as suburbs of [[Driver, Northern Territory|Driver]] and [[Gray, Northern Territory|Gray]]. These were followed by [[Moulden, Northern Territory|Moulden]] and [[Woodroffe, Northern Territory|Woodroffe]] after development in those areas commenced in 1983. Also included in the [[City of Palmerston]] are the semi-rural suburb of [[Marlow Lagoon, Northern Territory|Marlow Lagoon]], the suburb of [[Archer, Northern Territory|Archer]] and the industrial zones of [[Yarrawonga, Northern Territory|Yarrawonga]] and [[Pinelands, Northern Territory|Pinelands]]. Further developments have occurred leading to the creation of the suburbs of [[Rosebery, Northern Territory|Rosebery]], [[Bakewell, Northern Territory|Bakewell]], [[Gunn, Northern Territory|Gunn]], [[Durack, Northern Territory|Durack]] and more recently [[Farrar, Northern Territory|Farrar]], [[Bellamack]], [[Johnston, Northern Territory|Johnston]], [[Zuccoli, Northern Territory|Zuccoli]] and [[Mitchell, Northern Territory|Mitchell]]. The newer suburbs are located on the south-east side of the existing city.

===Climate===
Palmerston has a [[Tropical savanna climate|tropical savannah climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Aw]]) like [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season runs from May to September. In the coolest months of June and July, daily temperature range is 19 to 35&nbsp;°C. The wet season is associated with [[tropical cyclone]]s and monsoon rains. The majority of rainfall occurs between December and March when thunderstorms are common and humidity is regularly over 80 per cent.

{| class="wikitable" style="clear:both; margin:1em auto; text-align:right; font-size:smaller;"
|+ align="bottom" style="padding:0; margin:0;"| ''Source'': [http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_014015_All.shtml Averages for Darwin Airport, 1941–2007], [[Bureau of Meteorology]]
|-
! Month || Jan || Feb || Mar || Apr || May || Jun || Jul || Aug || Sep || Oct || Nov || Dec || Year
|-
{{Climate table row header|Temperatures&nbsp;(°C)}}
|-
{{Climate table row|Mean&nbsp;daily&nbsp;maximum|31.8|31.4|31.9|32.7|32.0|30.6|30.5|31.3|32.5|33.2|33.2|32.6|32.0}}
|- style="background:#fcc;"
{{Climate table row|Highest&nbsp;recorded&nbsp;maximum|35.6<br />(4th 1985)|36.0<br />(20th 1972)|36.0<br />(13th 1942)|36.7<br />(16th 2003)|36.0<br />(2nd 1942)|34.5<br />(5th 2003)|34.8<br />(8th 1998)|36.0<br />(26th 1998)|37.7<br />(17th 1983)|38.9<br />(18th 1982)|37.3<br />(28th 2004)|37.0<br />(18th 1976)|}}
|- style="background:#ccf; vertical-align:top;"
{{Climate table row|Lowest&nbsp;recorded&nbsp;maximum|25.7<br />(29th 1989)|25.6<br />(3rd 1956)|25.7<br />(22nd 1960)|24.6<br />(10th 1954)|22.7<br />(20th 1981)|22.7<br />(20th 2007)|21.1<br />(14th 1968)|25.1<br />(17th 2007)|27.6<br />(29th 1986)|24.7<br />(20th 2000)|26.2<br />(19th 1981)|24.0<br />(17th 1954)|}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
{{Climate table row|Mean&nbsp;daily&nbsp;minimum|24.8|24.7|24.5|24.0|22.1|19.9|19.3|20.4|23.0|25.0|25.3|25.3|23.2}}
|- style="background:#fed8d8;"
{{Climate table row|Highest&nbsp;recorded&nbsp;minimum|29.3<br />(28th 2002)|29.4<br />(3rd 1988)|28.3<br />(3rd 1958)|26.6<br />(12th 1992)|25.6<br />(12th 2001)|25.1<br />(9th 1979)|25.6<br />(13th 1981)|26.7<br />(27th 1998)|28.8<br />(23rd 2005)|29.7<br />(25th 1987)|29.7<br />(3rd 2007)|29.8<br />(21st 1984)|}}
|- style="background:#dcdcee; vertical-align:top;"
{{Climate table row|Lowest&nbsp;recorded&nbsp;minimum|20.2<br />(23rd 1985)|17.2<br />(25th 1949)|19.2<br />(31st 1945)|16.0<br />(11th 1943)|13.8<br />(27th 1990)|12.1<br />(23rd 1963)|10.4<br />(29th 1942)|13.2<br />(2nd 1990)|14.3<br />(1st 2006)|19.0<br />(20th 2000)|19.3<br />(4th 1950)|19.8<br />(4th 1974)|
}}
|-
{{Climate table row header|Precipitation&nbsp;(millimetres)}}
|-
{{Climate table row|Mean&nbsp;total&nbsp;rainfall|420.4|362.7|323.8|100.3|20.7|2.0|1.3|5.4|15.3|68.5|140.4|246.2|1714.7}}
|- style="background:#c5fcdc;"
{{Climate table row|Highest&nbsp;recorded&nbsp;total|940.4<br />(1995)|814.5<br />(1969)|1013.6<br />(1977)|396.2<br />(2006)|298.9<br />(1968)|50.6<br />(2004)|26.6<br />(2001)|83.8<br />(1947)|129.8<br />(1981)|338.7<br />(1954)|370.8<br />(1964)|664.5<br />(1974)|2776.6<br />(1998)}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#fcc;"
{{Climate table row|Lowest&nbsp;recorded&nbsp;total| 136.1<br />(1965) | 103.3<br />(1959) | 88.0<br />(1978) | 0.6<br />(1997) | 0.0<br />(2003)| 0.0<br />(2006) | 0.0<br />(2007) | 0.0<br />(2006) | 0.0<br />(2001) | 0.0<br />(1953) | 17.2<br />(1976) | 18.8<br />(1991) |1024.7<br />(1946)}}
|- style="background:#8fcd99;"
{{Climate table row|Highest&nbsp;daily&nbsp;rainfall|290.4<br />(3rd 1997)|250.2<br />(18th 1955)|240.6<br />(16th 1977)|142.7<br />(4th 1959)|89.6<br />(18th 1987)|46.8<br />(2nd 2004)|19.2<br />(17th 2001)|80.0<br />(22nd 1947)|70.6<br />(21st 1942)|95.5<br />(25th 1969)|96.8<br />(26th 1992)|277.0<br />(25th 1974)|}}
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;" | '''Notes''': [[Temperature]]s are in degrees Celsius. [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] is in millimetres. Darwin Airport Latitude: −12.42° S Longitude: 130.89° E Elevation:  30 m ASL
|}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|align=right
|footnote=Source: City of Palmerston<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/city/about-palmerston/demographics|title=Demographics|access-date=20 November 2011|work=[[City of Palmerston]]|archive-date=1 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501013051/http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/city/about-palmerston/demographics|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|1986 | 5706
|1991 | 7804
|1996 | 12750
|2001 | 20788
|2006 | 23614
|2011 | 27618
|2014 | 33900
}}
[[File:Suburb of Farrar.jpg|thumb|Looking over the suburb of Farrar|left]]
As of the 2016 Census, there were 33,695 people in Palmerston.<ref name="abs" /> The median age of persons in Palmerston was 28 years. 18.9% of the population of Palmerston were children aged between 5–14 years, and 47.1% were persons aged 25–54 years.<ref name="abs06">{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL705500|name=Palmerston (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=2 April 2008|quick=on}}</ref> 74.8 per cent of Palmerston's population are Australian born; the biggest overseas birthplaces were England (692 or 2.9 per cent), New Zealand (437 or 1.9 per cent), the Philippines (278 or 1.2 per cent), [[Papua New Guinea]] (144 or 0.6 per cent) and [[East Timor]] (116 or 0.5 per cent).<ref name="abs06" />

The 2006 Census found the most inhabitants in Palmerston practice '[[Irreligion|no religion]]' (6,106 or 25.9 per cent), [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] (5,263 or 22.3 per cent), [[Anglican]] (3,561 or 15.1 per cent), [[Uniting Church]] (1,205 or 5.1 per cent) and [[List of Presbyterian denominations in Australia|Presbyterian and Reformed]] (419 or 1.8 per cent).<ref name="abs06" />

Palmerston's population represents one quarter of the combined Palmerston-Darwin total population, and represents 11.7% of the Northern Territory's population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Background_Paper_2_Community_Profile.pdf |title=Palmerston City Population |access-date=31 March 2008 |work=Palmerston City |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721020253/http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Background_Paper_2_Community_Profile.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2008 }}</ref>

=== Population growth ===
Palmerston is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia. Palmerston recorded the fastest increase of population of all the [[Local Government Areas of the Northern Territory|local government areas]] in the Northern Territory. Palmerston increased by 1,300 people, growing by 5 per cent. {{when|date=October 2017}} The fastest growth occurred within Palmerston which includes the suburbs of [[Farrar, Northern Territory|Farrar]], [[Rosebery, Northern Territory|Rosebery]], [[Marlow Lagoon]] and [[Gunn, Northern Territory|Gunn]] and [[Palmerston City, Northern Territory|Palmerston City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/3218.0Main%20Features42006-07?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3218.0&issue=2006-07&num=&view=#NORTHERN%20TERRITORY|title=Palmerston population ABS|access-date=20 April 2008|work=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>

==Government==
[[File:Palmerston Council Chambers.jpg|thumb|right|Palmerston Council Chambers]]
The Palmerston region is covered by the [[Local Government Area]] of the [[City of Palmerston]]. The council was created in 1985. The council chambers are located in the Palmerston City Centre.

The [[City of Palmerston|Palmerston City Council]] (Incorporated under the Northern Territory Local Government Act 1993) governs the City of Palmerston which takes in the CBD and the suburbs. The City of Palmerston has governed Palmerston since 1985. It is governed by a seven-member council comprising the mayor, deputy mayor and five aldermen. Unlike Darwin, the city is not divided into wards and all councillors are elected [[at-large]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=238 |title=City of Palmerston Elected Members |access-date=20 April 2008 |work=[[City of Palmerston]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107071444/http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=238 |archive-date=7 November 2007 }}</ref> The current mayor of Palmerston is Athina Pascoe-Bell, who was elected in the local government election on 24 March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=City of Palmerston Election Results|url=http://www.ntec.nt.gov.au/2018CityofPalmerstonelection/results/pages/Results-Palmerston-Mayor.aspx|access-date=14 June 2018|website=NT Electoral Commission}}</ref>

In territory politics, Palmerston is split between five [[Northern Territory Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] districts. The districts of [[Electoral division of Blain|Blain]], [[Electoral division of Brennan|Brennan]] and [[Electoral division of Drysdale|Drysdale]] are entirely within the city.  The district of [[electoral division of Spillett|Spillett]] is located mostly within Palmerston, but its area reaches up to eastern Darwin. The mostly rural district of [[Electoral division of Nelson (Northern Territory)|Nelson]] spills into the city.  Historically, Palmerston has been a bastion of [[conservatism]], with [[Country Liberal Party]] candidates usually winning by wide margins. [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] never came remotely close to winning seats in Palmerston until [[2005 Northern Territory general election|2005]], when that year's massive Labor landslide saw Labor take Brennan and Drysdale off the CLP.  However, those seats reverted to form in the [[2008 Northern Territory general election|2008 election]].[[File:PalmerstonLibrary.JPG|thumb|Palmerston library by night. The Palmerston markets can be seen in the foreground.]]At the [[2016 Northern Territory general election|2016 general election]], however, Labor took Brennan and Drysdale off the CLP, while Blain fell to then-independent [[Terry Mills (Australian politician)|Terry Mills]], a former CLP Chief Minister. The CLP, however, gained victories in Brennan and Nelson, while Labor retained Drysdale and Mills lost his seat of Blain to Labor's Mark Turner at the [[2020 Northern Territory general election|2020 election]]. Currently, Palmerston is represented by two Labor members and two CLP members.

In federal politics, most of Palmerston's suburbs are located in the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] division shared with [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] – the [[Division of Solomon]], with the remaining suburbs in the city's outskirts located within the [[Division of Lingiari]]. The MP from 2010 to 2016, and the current Administrator of the [[Australian Indian Ocean Territories]], [[Natasha Griggs]], was a Palmerston resident and a former member of Palmerston City Council. The current members for the Division of Solomon and Lingiari are [[Australian Labor Party (Northern Territory Branch)|Labor]] members [[Luke Gosling]] and [[Warren Snowdon]], respectively.

==Economy==
[[File:OASIS Shopping Centre.jpg|thumb|Oasis Shopping Centre]]
Palmerston has around 19,800 people in the labour force. In March 2017, the unemployment rate in the city was 3.98 per cent which was above the Northern Territory average of 3.5 per cent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://economy.id.com.au/rda-northern-territory/unemployment?WebID=200&IndkeyNieir=24301&BMID=40&Measure=90001&Indkey=23015&Sex=3|title=Unemployment rate &#124; RDA Northern Territory &#124; economy.id}}</ref>

The largest industry employers in Palmerston are public administration & safety (2,751 or 21.3 per cent), retail trade (1,190 or 9.2 per cent), construction (892 or 6.9 per cent), health care & social assistance (829 or 6.4 per cent) and education & training (825 or 6.4 per cent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nt.gov.au/business/services.cfm?cat5id=99|title=Palmerston Economy|access-date=18 July 2008|work=[[Northern Territory Government]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403084315/http://www.nt.gov.au/business/services.cfm?cat5id=99 |archive-date = 3 April 2008}}</ref> The total numbers of businesses in Palmerston was 1,410. Of these, 57% of businesses were categorised as non-employing.

===Retail===
Palmerston has four major shopping centres: [[Palmerston Shopping Centre]], Bakewell Shopping Centre, Gateway Shopping Centre, and Oasis Shopping Village. The Palmerston Shopping Centre contains over 69 businesses including a [[Coles Supermarkets|Coles Supermarket]], and the discount department store [[Target Australia|Target]]. Oasis Shopping Village contains a Coles supermarket and 18 businesses. Stage 1 of the new Gateway Shopping Centre has numerous specialty stores including [[Big W]], [[Best & Less]], and [[Woolworths Supermarkets|Woolworths]]. Stage 2 includes the Pavilions Dining and Entertainment area, as well as Gateway Home—which opened in early 2018.

==Education==
''For further information see [[List of schools in the Northern Territory|Schools in the Northern Territory]].''

===Preschool, primary and secondary===
Palmerston is served by 11 state primary schools, two Catholic primary schools, two private schools, one state secondary school (Palmerston College) and one Catholic secondary school ([[MacKillop Catholic College, Palmerston|MacKillop Catholic College]]).<ref>{{Cite web|title=List of urban and remote schools|url=https://nt.gov.au/learning/primary-and-secondary-students/list-of-urban-and-remote-schools|last=Government|first=Northern Territory|date=2019-05-14|website=nt.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> There are over 5,867 primary and secondary students enrolled in Palmerston with 2,942 students attending primary education and 1,292 students attending secondary education.<ref name="abs education">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?action=404&documentproductno=70510&documenttype=Details&order=1&tabname=Details&areacode=70510&issue=2006&producttype=Census%20Tables&javascript=true&textversion=false&navmapdisplayed=true&breadcrumb=POLTD&&collection=Census&period=2006&productlabel=Type%20of%20Educational%20Institution%20Attending%20(Full/Part-Time%20Student%20Status%20by%20Age)%20by%20Sex&producttype=Census%20Tables&method=Place%20of%20Usual%20Residence&topic=School%20Education&|title=Palmerston ABS education census table|access-date=15 May 2008|work=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics|ABS]]}}</ref> There are over 3,100 students enrolled in government schools in Palmerston, 1087 students enrolled in [[Catholic schools]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home {{!}} My School|url=https://www.myschool.edu.au/|website=www.myschool.edu.au|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> and 625 students enrolled in independent schools.

In 2017, the now former Rosebery Middle School amalgamated into Palmerston's secondary school campus of Palmerston Senior College (formerly Driver High School) to create the dual campus facility, Palmerston College.
[[File:CDU library, Palmerston.jpg|thumb|Charles Darwin University Library]]

===Tertiary and vocational===
The [[Charles Darwin University]] Palmerston campus is located in the suburb of [[Durack, Northern Territory|Durack]]. The campus hosts the School of Tourism and Hospitality as well as expanding into a mini-School of Conservation and Land Management. There are over 4,318 students enrolled in tertiary and further education courses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.id.com.au/nt/commprofile/default.asp?id=251&gid=6000&pg=10 |title=Community id Schools |access-date=15 May 2008 |work=[[City of Palmerston]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521165520/http://www.id.com.au/nt/commprofile/default.asp?id=251 |archive-date=21 May 2008 }}</ref> In 2008, 247 of Palmerston residents were enrolled in higher education at Charles Darwin University and 4,071 students enrolled in vocational education and training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nt.gov.au/business/services.cfm?cat5id=99|title=Palmerston Education|access-date=18 July 2008|work=[[Northern Territory Government]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403084315/http://www.nt.gov.au/business/services.cfm?cat5id=99 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 3 April 2008}}</ref>

==Sport and recreation==
Palmerston is home to the [[Palmerston Football Club]] (known as the "Magpies") [[Northern Territory Football League]] (AFL) and is based out of the Archer Sporting Complex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=278 |title=Archer Sporting Complex |access-date=4 April 2008 |work=City of Palmerston |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719232804/http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=278 |archive-date=19 July 2008 }}</ref> Palmerston has a strong presence in [[Australian rules football]]. The Archer Sporting Complex has an Australian rules football field, a senior [[Softball]] diamond and senior Baseball diamond. There are also a number of sporting clubs located at the complex. The complex home to the, Palmerston and Rural Baseball Club, and the Palmerston Pirates Softball team.

There are three Rugby Union teams in the Palmerston area. These are the Palmerston Crocs, the Swampdogs and the MacKillop Saints.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Find My Club|url=https://nt.rugby/participate/play/find%20my%20club|website=nt.rugby|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>

The [[Palmerston Raiders]] [[Northern Territory Rugby League|Rugby League]] team are based at Goodline Park in the Southern suburbs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CONTACT US|url=https://www.palmerstonraiders.com/contact-us|website=Palmerston Raiders|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>

Palmerston has one association football team, the [[Palmerston Rovers FC]] which plays in the [[Football Federation Northern Territory|Northern Zone]] League.

The city has a skate park located on University Avenue that is funded by the Palmerston City Council.

There is also a local near-[[Olympic size swimming pool]] with a gymnasium.

There is also a boat ramp allowing access to the Elizabeth River for small trail-able marine craft. Persons utilising the area are cautioned that both [[box jellyfish]] and [[crocodile]]s are present in the river.

A branch of the [[YWCA]] is located at the CBD.

The Palmerston [[Scouts Australia|Scouts]] are based at [[MacKillop Catholic College, Palmerston|MacKillop Catholic College]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scouts Australia - NT Branch - Palmerston Scout Group|url=http://www.nt.scouts.com.au/Palmerston|website=www.nt.scouts.com.au|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>

Palmerston has one major [[tennis]] centre. Opened in January 2012 it includes 7 courts, BBQ area and canteen. The centre offers group coaching and competition opportunities for people of all ages.

Palmerston is well served by its many park reserves. Some parks also offer coin-operated public [[barbecue]] facilities.

[[Palmerston Golf & Country Club]] has a full 18-hole design with the [[Northern Territory PGA Championship]] held there.

==Media==
The ''[[Northern Territory News]],'' published daily by [[News Corp Australia|News Corp]], is widely available in Palmerston. Its Sunday edition, ''[[The Sunday Territorian]]'', and the national newspaper, ''[[The Australian]]'', are also published by News Corp and are also available in Palmerston. Most large statewide and interstate newspapers are also available from local retailers, albeit with a delay in arrival.

Palmerston also receives [[Tuner (radio)|radio]] and television services sourced from transmitters located in the [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] region. Which include the three commercial channels [[TND (TV station)|7 Darwin]], [[NTD (Australian TV station)|Nine Darwin]] and [[DTD (TV station)|Darwin Digital Television]] and the two Government-owned channels [[ABD (TV station)|ABC]] and [[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]]. [[Pay television]] is also available through [[satellite]], [[Cable television|fixed cable]] and [[Internet Protocol television|IPTV]] from various providers, such as [[Foxtel]] and [[Fetch TV|Fetch]].

Palmerston receives most of the radio stations from Darwin, which include [[ABC Darwin|ABC Local Radio]] (105.7FM), [[Radio National]] (657AM), [[ABC Classic FM]] (107.3FM) and [[Triple J]] (103.3FM), as well as commercial radio stations [[Mix 104.9]] and [[Hot 100 (Darwin radio station)|Hot 100]] and community radio station [[104.1 Territory FM]].

==Transport==
[[File:Palmerstonbusinterchange.JPG|thumb|right|Palmerston Bus Interchange.]]
The city has a network of [[bicycle]] paths, most of which are lit for night-time usage.

There is also a public bus service operated by [[Darwinbus]] that offers transportation around Palmerston, into Darwin City and out to Darwin's northern suburbs.

[[Darwin International Airport]] is the closest air terminal in Palmerston. The airport is located in the Darwin suburb of Marrara, approximately 20 minutes away from Palmerston.

Darwin-based [[taxicab|taxis]] are also available in Palmerston, as well as a number of local and Darwin-based mini-bus operators.

== Utilities ==
[[File:Channel Island NT.jpg|thumb|right|Channel Island Power Station]]
Water storage and supply, as well as sewerage services for Palmerston, are managed by [[PowerWater]], while power is managed by Jacana Energy, both of which are owned by the [[Northern Territory Government]]. The corporation is also responsible for management of sewerage and the major water catchments in the region. Water is mainly stored in the largest dam, the [[Darwin River Dam]] which holds up to 90% of Palmerston's water supply. For many years, the city's principal water supply came from Manton Dam.

Palmerston and its suburbs are powered by the [[Channel Island Power Station]], the largest power plant in the Northern Territory.

==Health==
Many of Palmerston's health needs are serviced by the Palmerston Health Precinct which includes the Palmerston Community Care Centre, public dental service, [[St John Ambulance Australia|St John Ambulance]], Medical Specialists Clinic and the Farrar Medical Centre. There are seven general practices in the Palmerston health region, four of which provide after-hours services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nt.gov.au/business/services.cfm?cat5id=99|title=Palmerston Health|access-date=18 July 2008|work=[[Northern Territory Government]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403084315/http://www.nt.gov.au/business/services.cfm?cat5id=99 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 3 April 2008}}</ref>

There are two hospitals serving the Palmerston area. These are [[Royal Darwin Hospital]], located in the Darwin suburb of [[Tiwi, Northern Territory|Tiwi]] and [[Palmerston Regional Hospital]], which is located in [[Holtze, Northern Territory|Holtze]].

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.palmerston.nt.gov.au/ Palmerston City Council website]

{{City of Palmerston suburbs}}
{{Northern Territory}}
{{Cities of Australia}}

[[Category:Palmerston, Northern Territory| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Suburbs of Darwin, Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1980s]]