New Secondary Special Education School one step closer for Palmerston

6 October 2026

• The contract has been awarded to DCOH Pty Ltd to design and construct a new Secondary Special Education School in Palmerston.
   
• The new school will provide more options for families in Palmerston and the rural areas as well as reduce enrolment pressures off the Driver Secondary School Special Education Centre and Henbury School in Darwin's Northern Suburbs.
   
• Early works are expected to begin in late 2026 and completion scheduled for December 2028 to be ready for the first day of Term 1, 2029.

The new Secondary Special Education School in Palmerston is one step closer with the contract for the design and construction of the 200-student school awarded to DCOH Pty Ltd.

The construction of the new purpose-built Secondary Special Education School delivers on another of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s election commitments in their year of growth, certainty and security.

The new Secondary Special Education School will provide more options for families and reduce enrolment pressures off the Driver Secondary School Special Education Centre and Henbury School.

Early works are expected to begin in late 2026 and completion scheduled for December 2028 to be ready for the first day of Term 1, 2029.

Chief Minister and Member for Spillett Lia Finocchiaro said the new Secondary Special Education School will meet an important community need.

“Just over a year ago, I announced exciting plans to build a state-of-the-art Secondary Special Education School in Palmerston and today we are as one step closer to supporting many of our very precious children in the community,” she said.

“Once opened in term one, 2029, the Palmerston Secondary Special Education School will support 200 students and their families in the Palmerston and Rural areas.”

The connected and inclusive education facility will be located adjacent to the current Rosebery Middle School.

Minister for Education and Training, Jo Hersey, said current enrolment figures and a growing Palmerston population show there is an urgent need for a new Secondary Special Education School in Palmerston.

“I am proud to have fought for the construction of a new Secondary Special Education School in Palmerston in Opposition and to now deliver the design and construction tender in Government,” Minister Hersey said.

“The enrolment figures show us there is an urgent need for a Secondary Special Education School in Palmerston.” 

CEO and Managing Director of DCOH, Shane Dignan, said the appointment reflected DCOH’s experience and capability in delivering complex education, leisure and accommodation projects, particularly the award-winning Danala Education and Community Precinct at Charles Darwin University and the state of the art Henbury Special Education School in Tiwi.

"Projects for special needs children are very close to our heart, and we take great pride in being awarded this tender. We also welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the NT Government after six years primarily focussing on the private and Defence sectors.

"Thanks must go to our general manager, Chris Giannikouris, our commercial manager Matthew Lee, and the construction team for their work on this project. We look forward to bringing the NT Government’s vision for the Palmerston Secondary Special Education School to the community."

Key features of the school, informed by an Expert Design Advisory Group, include:

• Five teaching blocks with 25 classrooms plus four Therapy Rooms, one Science Classroom and one Sensory Room Administration building
• Technology and arts building
• Horticultural, maintenance and recycling building and small on-site farm building
• A music and home economics building
• Fully enclosed multipurpose hall with undercover access for students using the bus service
• Swimming pool and pool building with appropriate shower and change facilities
• Landscaping and irrigations, including covered walkways, shade structures, play areas and bike paths
• Covered vehicle and bus drop off/pickup areas
• Car parking spaces, loading bays and roadways
• Irrigated ball play area
• Gates and fencing to PSSES perimeter, and zones within the fence line
• All associated site service infrastructure, associated stores and amenities.

At the August 2026 Age Grade Census, there were 116 students with special needs at the
Driver Secondary School Special Education Centre, 108 students at Forest Parade Special
School, 90 students at the Woodroffe Primary School Special Education Centre and
approximately 20 students from Palmerston who travel to Henbury School in Darwin’s
Northern Suburbs which also faces enrolment pressures.

Media contacts:
Nathan Vass - 0405 799 790
Zac Webster - 0418 670 192