The City of Palmerston will expand its municipal boundaries, adding four unincorporated land areas after the NT Government approved its submission for boundary realignment, which translates to more business and tax revenue for the council, but also more costs.

The previously unincorporated lands of Tivendale, Wishart, Kirkland Road, and Elrundie Area are now officially part of the Palmerston Municipality.

The realignment will take effect on July 1, 2022, while the NT Government says the council must ensure they can provide municipal services to the new areas from that date.

Palmerston Council says the existing community will “reap benefits” from the changes, such as “becoming more diverse, providing opportunities for social and economic development and improved and innovative infrastructure”.

According to council’s chief executive officer Luccio Cercarelli, council considered preliminary reviews regarding the potential boundary realignments in December 2018.

In September 2019, the council resolved to endorse a submission for a boundary realignment for unincorporated land between Palmerston and Berrimah Road including Northcrest residential development, but excluding East Arm at present.

However, Northcrest was not approved to be included in the realignment and will remain unincorporated for now.

The NT Government said landowners and residents of the land that is to be incorporated into the City of Palmerston area, will now have “better local representation, opportunity to involve themselves in community future planning, council-maintained community infrastructure, and future advocacy with other spheres of government”.

Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell welcomed the decision and said the expanded area of industrial and potential new residents was a step towards supporting the growth of the city.

“Palmerston is a growing community with plenty of investment opportunity,” Ms Pascoe-Bell said.

“Given our proximity to Darwin, East Arm and the rural areas, the expansion of the municipality will provide further opportunities for improved economic and social activities for our current and future ratepayers.”

Talks with the NT Government to discuss “issues and progress matters” continue, council said.

Council will also undertake further due diligence and financial analysis work to identify any concerns and said it would implement appropriate mitigation measures.

According to its 2020-2021 annual report, the city’s population is 39,032, divided into 14 suburbs.

The city also has $737 million in total assets value and $1.731 million gross regional product.

There are 1,628 businesses registered in Palmerston and 13,119 homes.

With the boundary realignment, these figures will likely grow in the next financial year, council said.