Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now there is a lot happening around the place, and
we know that the Palmeston Council, well, they recently held
their first ordinary meeting resolving to rejoin the Local Government
Association of the Northern Territory known as LEGANT. It's not
the only thing that they're up to since the election
was held, I know that they have absolutely hit the
ground running. And joining me on the show is the
(00:21):
Mayor of Palmerston, Athena Pasco Bell.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Good morning to you, Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Good to have you in the studio now. Athena. Obviously,
you guys have literally you have just hit the ground
running the Palmerston Council by the look.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Of it, absolutely We've already had seven workshops to make
sure that our councilors are inducted and trained and ready
to go. So you've really hit the ground running.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Tell me a little bit about the makeup of the
new council. You've got a few new faces on there,
don't you.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
We do. We have three new councilors, so we've been
joined by Council of Wayne Bayless, Council of yorlanda CanYa
and Council of rob Waters and five existing members have returned,
So myself, the current Deputy mayor, Damian Hale, Councilor Mark Fraser,
Councilor Sarah Henderson, and Councilor Lucy Morrison.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
And how do you guys do things in terms of
your deputy? Good to hear that Hayley's in there as
a deputy, but how do you guys do things? Is
it sort of a rotating job like what the Darwin
City Council does.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Yeah, we actually put that policy in place two council
terms ago, so eight years ago. We rotate it and
the years divided up by the number of councilors. So
everyone does have an opportunity to do it if they
would choose to help. But it is a very active
role and so the biggest issue is finding someone who's
got availability to do it for that period of time
(01:37):
because when I'm busy, then I asked the Deputy mayor
to step in.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
So it's like they're actually out there doing stuff. It's
not just a role by title.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
That's no, no sure, And you know there are expectations
that if I'm unavailable, they will attend media events and
meetings and anything of significance on my behalf yep, And
the council's behalf, so it is a very important role.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Yeah, absolutely it is. It's though in terms of as
well people developing these skills as the years go on. Now,
tell me at the first meeting that you've had quite
a bit on the agenda. What are some of the
main things that the newly elected council really wants to
get stuck into out there in Palmerston.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Well. Obviously there's a few programs that we're continuing, so
a lot of our fun activities Christmas in Wonderland will
be coming your way excellent, and there's some existing infrastructure
programs that will continue to deliver such as as Akali
Pump Track and Zakali Community Hub. We secured ten million
dollars from the Comwealth government at the last Comwealth election
(02:34):
as well to build a library and community center at
z Acholie as well. We're still talking with the Finociaro
government as well about funding for some other projects. So
that's all.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Continuing continuing, good to hear, and we will be doing
a review of our community plan which we put in
place about six or seven years ago.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
It's a ten year plan, so it's time to do
a health check on that now.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
I also know that you guys had resil to rejoin
the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory known as LEGANT.
I didn't realize that you'd left. How come the Palmeston
Council was no longer on that.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Committee back in twenty twenty one we left. At that
time we had some concerns, ongoing concerns about the operation
of LAGANT and governance. Those issues went unresolved, so we
made a decision to remove ourselves from LAGANT. But over
the last four years and we did review our membership
annually and we have seen some improvements in the governance
(03:33):
and with a fresh council on board, we've decided it's
time to be a proactive member of that organization and
try and focus on delivering outcomes for the entire local
government sector in the Northern Territory, especially with the Northern
Territory Government and federal government, and trying to influence their
policies and things like that.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Yeah, right, so then, I mean you must have had
some fairly significant concerns around governance to pull out.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yep, we did. What were they look just very briefly,
we were concerned about some of the action the Legant
board took and some of that was not in the
interests of the City of Palmerston. And when we raise
those concerns, they didn't agree, and so we exercised our
discretion to resign. You know, as you do if you're
(04:22):
a member of a club and they were actively working
against you as a member, you would say, well, we're
not paying for this.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Yeah, right, I mean the big call at the time,
but obviously now big call to rejoin, and not only rejoin,
but you put your hand up to potentially become the president.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I've put my hand up for president because I do
have a very strong governance and a way of delivering
strategic outcomes and that's been obviously well demonstrated at the
City of Palmerston. Now is my third term as mayor,
and I believe that I can deliver the strategic outcomes
that the member councils are looking for from Legant.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
So what's the process now in terms of determining who
is going to be the president.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
The nominations are open until the end of the month
and then there's a special agm happening in November, so
the councils will then vote. So councils across the Northern
Territory will vote for who the new president will be.
Obviously there's a lot of competition out there.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah, who else do we know yet? Who else has
put their hand up?
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Nut I said, Vicious from Bartony has told me he's running,
Peter Stiles has said he's running, and I know there's
a couple of others who are considering it as well.
But as it currently stands, from the municipal councils, I
am the most experienced mayor. I was the only municipal
mayor returned and this is my third term as Mayorp,
(05:43):
and I believe I might be one of the most
experienced out of all the councils when you consider the
regional councils as well.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
We'll keep an eye on that and see exactly what happens.
I mean for you, though, why do you reckon? It's
important that you did put your hand up and that
you really do want to take on that role.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
The Local Government Association should be representing the interests of
all councils in the Northern Territory and we need to
be a really strong voice when it comes to the
Northern Territory government and federal government. Policies, particularly those that
affect local government and may have significant impact on the
way we operate everything we see in the Northern Territory.
(06:22):
We can't just sort of work in our own isolated
bubble as a municipal council or even just Palmstan or Darwen.
Some things affect everybody and so we need to work
on those in a collective manner and make sure that
we are promoting the best outcomes for all councils collectively.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Now, before I let you go, I know that as
part of October Business Month, the City of Palmerston is
obviously in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, has the
return of the Palmerston Business Futures Forum. What's that all about?
Speaker 2 (06:54):
So that is bringing together a whole lot of local
businesses in Palmerston to gain some practical insights and explore
initiatives and strengthen the Palmerston local business community. So we're
bringing together the whole range of experts to explore opportunities,
share experiences and discuss the future of the Palmerston economy specifically.
(07:16):
And the attendees have a chance to connect with other
business leaders, gain insight, listen from guest speakers engage in
discussions and help to evolve the business landscape in Palmerston.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
So when's that on and can anybody attend or do
they have to register first?
Speaker 2 (07:34):
You have to register. It is on Thursday, the twenty
third of October, so just a couple of days time.
It's happening early in the morning, so I think it
kicks off around seven or seven thirty. Oh good stuff.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
I always love a good early morning event because I'm
up at about four thirty in the morning. I know
not everybody else is.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
So no that that's me too. I'm usually up at
about five point thirty, work done right when the house
is quiet.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
That's exactly right. Well, Mayor Parmeerston Athena Pasco Bell great
to catch up with you this morning. We'll talk to
you again soon.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Thanks Katie, Thank you.
Now there is a lot happening around the place, and
we know that the Palmeston Council, well, they recently held
their first ordinary meeting resolving to rejoin the Local Government
Association of the Northern Territory known as LEGANT. It's not
the only thing that they're up to since the election
was held, I know that they have absolutely hit the
ground running. And joining me on the show is the
(00:21):
Mayor of Palmerston, Athena Pasco Bell.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Good morning to you, Good morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Good to have you in the studio now. Athena. Obviously,
you guys have literally you have just hit the ground
running the Palmerston Council by the look.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Of it, absolutely We've already had seven workshops to make
sure that our councilors are inducted and trained and ready
to go. So you've really hit the ground running.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Tell me a little bit about the makeup of the
new council. You've got a few new faces on there,
don't you.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
We do. We have three new councilors, so we've been
joined by Council of Wayne Bayless, Council of yorlanda CanYa
and Council of rob Waters and five existing members have returned,
So myself, the current Deputy mayor, Damian Hale, Councilor Mark Fraser,
Councilor Sarah Henderson, and Councilor Lucy Morrison.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
And how do you guys do things in terms of
your deputy? Good to hear that Hayley's in there as
a deputy, but how do you guys do things? Is
it sort of a rotating job like what the Darwin
City Council does.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Yeah, we actually put that policy in place two council
terms ago, so eight years ago. We rotate it and
the years divided up by the number of councilors. So
everyone does have an opportunity to do it if they
would choose to help. But it is a very active
role and so the biggest issue is finding someone who's
got availability to do it for that period of time
(01:37):
because when I'm busy, then I asked the Deputy mayor
to step in.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
So it's like they're actually out there doing stuff. It's
not just a role by title.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
That's no, no sure, And you know there are expectations
that if I'm unavailable, they will attend media events and
meetings and anything of significance on my behalf yep, And
the council's behalf, so it is a very important role.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Yeah, absolutely it is. It's though in terms of as
well people developing these skills as the years go on. Now,
tell me at the first meeting that you've had quite
a bit on the agenda. What are some of the
main things that the newly elected council really wants to
get stuck into out there in Palmerston.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Well. Obviously there's a few programs that we're continuing, so
a lot of our fun activities Christmas in Wonderland will
be coming your way excellent, and there's some existing infrastructure
programs that will continue to deliver such as as Akali
Pump Track and Zakali Community Hub. We secured ten million
dollars from the Comwealth government at the last Comwealth election
(02:34):
as well to build a library and community center at
z Acholie as well. We're still talking with the Finociaro
government as well about funding for some other projects. So
that's all.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Continuing continuing, good to hear, and we will be doing
a review of our community plan which we put in
place about six or seven years ago.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
It's a ten year plan, so it's time to do
a health check on that now.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
I also know that you guys had resil to rejoin
the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory known as LEGANT.
I didn't realize that you'd left. How come the Palmeston
Council was no longer on that.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Committee back in twenty twenty one we left. At that
time we had some concerns, ongoing concerns about the operation
of LAGANT and governance. Those issues went unresolved, so we
made a decision to remove ourselves from LAGANT. But over
the last four years and we did review our membership
annually and we have seen some improvements in the governance
(03:33):
and with a fresh council on board, we've decided it's
time to be a proactive member of that organization and
try and focus on delivering outcomes for the entire local
government sector in the Northern Territory, especially with the Northern
Territory Government and federal government, and trying to influence their
policies and things like that.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Yeah, right, so then, I mean you must have had
some fairly significant concerns around governance to pull out.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yep, we did. What were they look just very briefly,
we were concerned about some of the action the Legant
board took and some of that was not in the
interests of the City of Palmerston. And when we raise
those concerns, they didn't agree, and so we exercised our
discretion to resign. You know, as you do if you're
(04:22):
a member of a club and they were actively working
against you as a member, you would say, well, we're
not paying for this.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Yeah, right, I mean the big call at the time,
but obviously now big call to rejoin, and not only rejoin,
but you put your hand up to potentially become the president.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I've put my hand up for president because I do
have a very strong governance and a way of delivering
strategic outcomes and that's been obviously well demonstrated at the
City of Palmerston. Now is my third term as mayor,
and I believe that I can deliver the strategic outcomes
that the member councils are looking for from Legant.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
So what's the process now in terms of determining who
is going to be the president.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
The nominations are open until the end of the month
and then there's a special agm happening in November, so
the councils will then vote. So councils across the Northern
Territory will vote for who the new president will be.
Obviously there's a lot of competition out there.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah, who else do we know yet? Who else has
put their hand up?
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Nut I said, Vicious from Bartony has told me he's running,
Peter Stiles has said he's running, and I know there's
a couple of others who are considering it as well.
But as it currently stands, from the municipal councils, I
am the most experienced mayor. I was the only municipal
mayor returned and this is my third term as Mayorp,
(05:43):
and I believe I might be one of the most
experienced out of all the councils when you consider the
regional councils as well.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
We'll keep an eye on that and see exactly what happens.
I mean for you, though, why do you reckon? It's
important that you did put your hand up and that
you really do want to take on that role.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
The Local Government Association should be representing the interests of
all councils in the Northern Territory and we need to
be a really strong voice when it comes to the
Northern Territory government and federal government. Policies, particularly those that
affect local government and may have significant impact on the
way we operate everything we see in the Northern Territory.
(06:22):
We can't just sort of work in our own isolated
bubble as a municipal council or even just Palmstan or Darwen.
Some things affect everybody and so we need to work
on those in a collective manner and make sure that
we are promoting the best outcomes for all councils collectively.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Now, before I let you go, I know that as
part of October Business Month, the City of Palmerston is
obviously in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, has the
return of the Palmerston Business Futures Forum. What's that all about?
Speaker 2 (06:54):
So that is bringing together a whole lot of local
businesses in Palmerston to gain some practical insights and explore
initiatives and strengthen the Palmerston local business community. So we're
bringing together the whole range of experts to explore opportunities,
share experiences and discuss the future of the Palmerston economy specifically.
(07:16):
And the attendees have a chance to connect with other
business leaders, gain insight, listen from guest speakers engage in
discussions and help to evolve the business landscape in Palmerston.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
So when's that on and can anybody attend or do
they have to register first?
Speaker 2 (07:34):
You have to register. It is on Thursday, the twenty
third of October, so just a couple of days time.
It's happening early in the morning, so I think it
kicks off around seven or seven thirty. Oh good stuff.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
I always love a good early morning event because I'm
up at about four thirty in the morning. I know
not everybody else is.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
So no that that's me too. I'm usually up at
about five point thirty, work done right when the house
is quiet.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
That's exactly right. Well, Mayor Parmeerston Athena Pasco Bell great
to catch up with you this morning. We'll talk to
you again soon.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Thanks Katie, Thank you.
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