A new Palmerston primary school will open two years ahead of schedule, after the Territory Labor Government fast-tracked the project’s second stage to meet growing demand in the Territory’s  family capital.

Palmerston is the Territory’s fastest growing city, and will ultimately provide homes, family and community space, and facilities for more than 70 000 people.

To support this thriving community, the Territory Labor Government is investing in Palmerston’s future, with new health, education and community facilities, more services, and generous housing incentives.

Construction has commenced on Stage 1 of the new Zuccoli Primary School, after the Territory Labor Government brought the project forward last year.

Local company Halikos Pty Ltd won the $12.9 million tender for Stage 1, which includes a preschool with capacity for up to 88 students and eight primary school classrooms with capacity for more than 200 students.

This stage is due to open in Term 1, 2020.

Last month, the Territory Labor Government also fast-tracked Stage 2 to ensure the school is fully operational by Term 1, 2021 and ease classroom pressure in the Territory’s fastest growing region.

Stage 2 of the project includes shared facilities with the adjoining Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School, including a school oval and multi-purpose learning facilities.

The first stage is supporting 120 local jobs, while the second stage is expected to support a further 200.

The Territory Labor Government is also investing in:

Palmerston Safety:

• A new state of the art $30 million Palmerston Police Station - supporting 340 jobs during construction, with completion expected mid-this year.
• A new, fast tracked $25 million Palmerston Fire Station, which will support approximately 180 jobs during construction and provide a contemporary facility for Fire and Rescue Services (NTFRS) increasing efficiency and response times for Palmerston, Litchfield and Coolalinga. Planning is already well underway with design tenders expected in coming months.

Programs to tackle Youth Crime in Palmerston:

• An evidenced-based approach to tackling youth crime in Palmerston, with specialist case management teams working with known youth offenders, their families, Police and the courts to address critical issues.
• More diversion and sentencing options for courts.
• Additional Youth Night Patrol.
• Establishing a Palmerston Youth Skills Centre to re-engage at risk young people with job-ready training and.
• A 24 hour supervised Youth Drop-In Centre in Palmerston.

Generous Incentives for First Home Owners in Palmerston:

The Territory Home Owner Bonus will create local construction jobs, build the Territory’s population and support first home owners by increasing eligibility for people to own and build their own home in the Northern Territory.

The package delivers increased incentives for anyone building or buying a new home in the NT, while keeping generous incentives for first home owners and others purchasing an established home.

Investing in Palmerston’s community and culture including:

• $150,000 in prize money each year to support the week-long NT PGA Championships held at the Palmerston Golf Course.
• $1 million to Top End Motor Cross Palmerston for six track light towers with generated power supply to enable night racing. Completed June 2018.
• $100,000 to the Palmerston Water Park for shade over the toddler pool.
• New youth events including Palmerston Youth Festival and E- Sports Facility along with increased support for the grassroots initiative Student Voice Positive Choice.
• $2.7M Howard Springs to Coolalinga Cycle Path – expected completion mid-2019.

Palmerston Health:

• The new $168.9M Palmerston Regional Hospital, opened in August 2018, which has created 410 local jobs ongoing and provides quality health care to more than 550 people per week. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Selena Uibo.

“Palmerston is the Northern Territory’s fastest growing region, particularly with families, and this new government school will significantly ease current enrolment pressures on existing schools in the area.

“Jobs are the Territory Labor Government’s number one priority and in addition to investing in hundreds of local jobs, this new infrastructure is investing in the future of Palmerston’s greatest asset: its children.

“Unlike the CLP, who ripped $135 million out of the education budget, the Territory Labor Government will always invest in public education, because every child has the right to a great start in life.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Drysdale, Eva Lawler.

“Palmerston is growing fast and these investments show that, as a Government, we are investing in Palmerston’s future to create jobs and opportunities for families in the local community.

“We are listening to our community and are delivering a new school, which will support 120 local jobs plus further long-term positions once completed, and deliver a facility that will be used by many families in Palmerston into the future.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Brennan, Tony Sievers.

“Investing in our local sporting facilities, clubs and associations is the key to maximising participation rates and creating vibrant communities. 

“This investment creates local jobs and improves facilities in the growing, family friendly city of Palmerston.

“We know that sport unites Territorians in a unique way; it brings us together as a cohesive community and encourages us to live more active, healthy lives.”

Media contact: Kim Stephens 0417 683 144