Dear Palmerston Business Representative,

September marked the beginning of a new chapter for Palmerston, with the swearing in of our 11th Council. I am honoured to once again serve as your Mayor alongside a dedicated group of Councillors, each committed to building a strong and vibrant future for our City.

One of the key ways we achieve this is by working closely with our local business community. Last year’s inaugural Palmerston Business Futures Forum was a standout event, bringing together business leaders, operators and government to discuss opportunities, challenges and the future of doing business in Palmerston. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and it was clear how valuable it was to have our business community in the same room, sharing insights and shaping ideas together.

This year, in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, we are proud to deliver the Forum as part of October Business Month.  With increased capacity, a facilitated program and a guest speaker, it promises to be bigger, bolder and even more impactful. It is your chance to be part of the conversation, contribute to strategies that drive growth and resilience, and connect with others who share a passion for building Palmerston’s future. And yes, there’s a free networking breakfast to start the morning right.

I strongly encourage all business owners and leaders to register and secure your place. With your input, we can ensure Palmerston continues to grow as a welcoming, connected and forward-looking place to do business.

Council's Economic Development team is also here to support you. We want to share and celebrate the positive stories within our business community, so please reach out and let us help showcase your success in future editions of this newsletter.

Palmerston Welcomes its 11th Council

On 9 September, City of Palmerston entered a new chapter with the swearing-in of its 11th Council. Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell, returns to lead alongside Councillors Wayne Bayliss, Mark Fraser, Damian Hale, Sarah Henderson, Yolanda Kanyai, Lucy Morrison and Rob Waters.

The first Ordinary Council Meeting was held on 16 September. Council meetings take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month in Council Chambers at Civic Plaza and are open to the public. Local businesses and residents are encouraged to attend, observe decision-making in action, and engage with their elected representatives.

You can find more information and upcoming Council meetings here.  

OBM is coming to Palmerston

OBM 2025 is returning for the 31st year of being the Northern Territory's premier business event. 

This year's key theme, Play to our Strengths, will bring the concept to life with a focus on one or more of these supporting themes: 

• Digitalisation - embracing AI and smart technologies to drive productivity and innovation. 
• Workforce - attracting, retaining and developing talent for long-term success. 
• Resilience - building agile businesses that respond to changing consumer behaviours and market shifts.

With a focus on small to medium business, OBM offers practical tools, fresh insights, and networking opportunities to help your business thrive. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, owner, employee, or part of the broader economic ecosystem OBM can help you build skills, make connections and stay ahead in a changing business world.

You can find OBM's calendar of events and registration details here. Below you will find the three events that are coming to Palmerston. 

OBM Event: Palmerston Business Futures Forum 2025

City of Palmerston, in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, invites you to the Palmerston Business Futures Forum 2025. This dynamic and interactive workshop is designed to future-proof the success of our local businesses.

Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural forum, this free facilitated session will feature guest speaker, Courtney Sim-Gully, General Manager at Florance Group Pty Ltd, explore new initiatives and deliver practical insights to strengthen Palmerston’s business community.

Why attend?

• Free networking breakfast – connect with fellow business leaders in a relaxed setting.

• Contribute your insights – your voice will help shape strategies for sustainable growth and resilience.

• Stay ahead – hear about emerging opportunities and initiatives relevant to Palmerston businesses.

Event details
📅 Thursday 23 October 2025
🕖 7:00am – 9:30am
📍 Rydges Palmerston

Spaces are limited and registration is essential.

Click here to register for this free event. 

OBM Event: Designing Safe Streets - A CPTED Workshop for Retail Success

This interactive workshop will provide practical strategies for creating safer, more vibrant shopfronts and main streets. CPTED and placemaking principles will be introduced and tailored for retail, hospitality, and business operators. The session will explore simple, place-based strategies to improve safety, street appeal, and customer experience.

Participants will leave with greater awareness, practical tools, and an action list tailored to their local business context, helping to create streets and shopfronts that are safe, welcoming and commercially successful.

📅 When: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
📍 Where: Durack Community Art Centre

You can find more information and register for this free event here. 

OBM Event: Digital Marketing Tips and Tricks for Small Business Owners

Want to get more out of your digital marketing without the overwhelm? This practical workshop is designed for small business owners looking to sharpen their online presence and attract more customers.

Learn the essentials:

• Website & SEO basics – choose the right platform and boost visibility on Google.

• Tracking tools – use Google Analytics and UTMs to measure results.

• Social media hacks – create content quickly with free AI tools.

• Targeting customers – build clear personas to guide messaging.

Walk away with time-saving tips, practical tools and confidence in your digital marketing strategy. Suitable for beginners and intermediate users.

📅 When: Thursday, 30 October 2025
🕝 Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
📍 Where: Durack Community Art Centre

You can find more information and register for this free event here. 

New Business Alert

You may have spotted the fresh white curtains on University Avenue or joined the buzz—Sky Barre Movement Studio has opened in Palmerston.

Led by Leanne and her team of qualified instructors, Sky Barre believes movement should be inclusive, accessible and above all, enjoyable. Reformer Pilates offers benefits for people rehabilitating injuries, new and expecting mums, and anyone wanting to build strength, flexibility, balance, or reduce pain and stress.

The studio features premium Merrithew reformer machines and a welcoming team ready to support your fitness journey.

Current offers:

• October: introductory offer – $60 for five classes across both Palmerston and Darwin City studios.

• November: new classes launching – infrared mat Pilates and sculpt.

You can find all the information on Sky Barre and meet the team here. 

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Two local businesses dominated at the Australian Meat Industry Council's (AIMC) Sausage King and Best Butchers Burger Competition! Congratulations to Malone's Butchery Gateway and Palmerston Quality Meats for winning 1st place in the following categories:

Malone's Butchery Gateway - Poultry Sausage, Best Butcher's Lamb Burger, and Australian Lamb Sausage. 

Palmerston Quality Meats - Best Butcher's Gourmet Burger, Traditional Australian Beef Sausage, and Traditional Australian Pork Sausage. 

We would also like to extend our congratulations to a Territory homegrown, Tamika Banks from Malone's Butchery, for becoming the Territory's Apprentice of the Year Finalist - two years in a row - and will now go on to compete nationally at AIMC's Apprentice of the Year. 

Be sure to get behind these local businesses and their successes the next time you're looking for quality tasty burgers and sausages. So who's having traditional Aussie beef sausages tonight, or chicken jalapeno mozzarella and maple bacon sausages? 

Palmerston Pop-Up Dining

This month we’re featuring Amsterdam Sliders, a Palmerston owned pop-up dining vendor bringing flavour and energy to Palmerston. Trading every Sunday at Marlow Lagoon Recreational Area (6:30am–1:30pm) through to Christmas, they’re serving up breakfast sliders, fresh coffee, hearty pulled-meat and vegetarian options, plus their famous Dutch-style hot chips.

Vendors like Amsterdam Sliders add colour, choice and vibrancy to our community spaces, making Palmerston an even better place to gather, connect and enjoy.

Pop-Up Dining is all about celebrating local flavour and community spirit. Come along, get involved and if you’re a local food business, find out how you can be part of it here. 

Do You Run a Food Truck That Sells Dishes Containing Seafood? 

If you sell dishes containing seafood from a mobile or fixed food truck then you must comply with the new country of origin labelling rules for seafood. Dishes include classics like fish and chips, seafood pizza, fish tacos, seafood poke bowls and salads.

Under this new consumer law, hospitality businesses must label seafood with its origin. There are some exemptions to this new labelling rule that may apply to you. These include:

• meals that are served at fundraising events

• dishes that include only non-solid forms of fish such as anchovy paste or fish sauce.

To find out more about this new consumer law and better understand the country of origin labelling for seafood, click here. 

Join THE STAND

Founded by Charlie King, AM and in partnership with CatholicCare NT, NO MORE is an initiative which addresses prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) through a whole of community approach. NO MORE works with men, service providers and the wider community to develop local responses to reduce the incidence of DFV by changing men's behaviour and attitudes towards women, with the safety of women and children as the primary objective. 

THE STAND is NO MORE'S most ambitious initiative yet. Groups and organisations are called to create 90 Domestic Violence Action Plans (DVAP) in 90 days, each one a real commitment to change. 

You can join THE STAND and create your DVAP  here. 

Australia Day Nominations are OPEN

The Palmerston Australia Day Awards are the City’s highest civic recognition, celebrating individuals or groups who have made significant and lasting contributions to our community. The awards acknowledge outstanding service, leadership and commitment across a range of areas that help make Palmerston “A Place for People.”

Categories include:

• Citizen of the Year.

• Young Citizen of the Year.

• Community Event or Group of the Year.

Nominations close 31 October 2025. Nominate Here.

Darwin Symphony Orchestra in Palmerston 2025

In partnership with Darwin Symphony Orchestra and City of Palmerston, you can enjoy the return of the Palmerston Classics and Palmerston Family Proms. 

On the 17 October, Palmerton Classics will feature spectacular orchestral music from Beethoven's famous Fifth Symphony, Khachaturian's ballet music for Spartacus, and beloved film festival music by John Williams. An enjoyable experience for the whole family, or book in for a special night out with your friends – experience the wonder of the orchestra in this beautiful performance.

The Palmerston Family Proms will be held on 18 October, from 10am-11am, with entertainment and a fun musical adventure for families and children. You can get up close with the full orchestra, listen to each instrument, and discover the different sounds that make up the symphony. Families can move and groove along to familiar classics and watch as the orchestra comes to life right before your eyes! 

For more information and to book your tickets for Palmerston Classics, click here. To book your tickets for Palmerston Family Proms, click here. 

You can also find Darwin Symphony Orchestra's 2025 season program and major concerts here. 

Do you have a great story or exciting update about your Palmerston business? We’d love to hear from you!

📩 Email us at ecodev@palmerston.nt.gov.au or call 08 8935 9922.

City of Palmerston is here to support local business. Reach out any time for information, advice or to share your story.