Dear Palmerston Business Representative,

Welcome to April's Palmerston Business update, bringing you news, opportunities, and resources to support our growing and dynamic local business community.

This edition features several exciting initiatives, including the launch of the refreshed Invest Palmerston platform, upcoming AI capability‑building workshops, and a free disability confidence workshop to help businesses strengthen inclusive practices. We’re also sharing details on the upcoming information session on Territory Business Advisors and peak industry bodies, updates on the 2026 Pop‑Up Dining Program, and a new Expression of Interest for local contractors.

You’ll also find an update on Council’s Community Plan Health Check, along with a curated selection of business resources from the Australian Government and the ATO to help you stay informed and future‑ready. 

Invest Palmerston is LIVE! 

City of Palmerston have been hard at it behind the scenes to provide our business community an online platform that offers information, resources, programs, and supports to help your business start, grow, and connect. 

Discover a dynamic and supportive environment for business, industry, and investment in one of Australia's fastest-growing cities. We're here to help you succeed. 

Boost your Business with AI Workshops

Join City of Palmerston's hands-on AI workshop series to help local businesses translate complex AI concepts into practical tools. Attendance is free, but bookings are essential.

• register for the 20 April 2026 AI workshop, click here. 

  • This session will show you how to use AI tools to automate repetitive tasks in your business.

Free Workshop to Empower Your Workplace

Want to build disability confidence and inclusive workplace culture in your business? City of Palmerston and HPA are holding a free workshop to help business owners create a more inclusive and disability-confidence workplace.  

This free workshop is designed to break down barriers and open up new opportunities for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Bookings are required, click here to register for your free ticket. 

Business Support Information Session

Want clearer advice, better support, and direct access to the people who can help your business grow? Join us for an upcoming business support information session with Territory Business Advisors and key peak industry stakeholders.

You’ll hear exactly who can help, what support is available, and how to access practical, tailored advice to help your business start, grow, adapt, and succeed in a changing economy.

This event is free but booking is essential. Click here to book your spot. 

NT Future Workforce Pilot Program

To help local businesses grow their workforce while creating employment pathways for young Territorians, the NT Government have launched the NT Future Workforce Pilot Program. 

Delivered by GTNT Group, the pilot will support 20 young people aged 15–18 in the Darwin, Palmerston and rural region who are disengaged from school to transition into structured employment leading to apprenticeships, traineeships or ongoing jobs. 

Get more information here: https://gtntgroup.com.au/nt-future-workforce-pilot-program or for more information, please email recruitment@gtntgroup.com.au

Expressions of Interest for Local Contractors

Are you a qualified and insured local contractor? Would you like to join City of Palmerston's contractor pool?

Our Infrastructure team are inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably qualified and insured local contractors in the following areas: 

• general handyman services
• painting (building works, patch repairs and touch-ups)
• pressure cleaning (buildings and footpaths)
• glazing (windows, doors, tinting and laminate)
• door repairs (emergency doors, fire exits, aluminium frame doors and associated mechanisms)
• plumbing (primarily building-related works, such as bubblers and amenities)
• roofing (minor repairs and inspections)
• carpentry (structural repairs, decking, fencing, cabinetry)
• fencing (timber, chain mesh and security fencing)
• plastering/gyprock repairs
• signage (installation and replacement of facility signage). 

If your business provides any of these services, we encourage you to submit an EOI and join our local contractor pool. This is a great opportunity to work with Council and support projects across the Palmerston community. Please submit your EOI to infrastructure@palmerston.nt.gov.au and address to Manager Civil Operations, Infrastructure. 

Pop-Up Dining Program 2026

Pop-Up Dining 2026 vendors are off to an incredible start! Make sure you support local food truck vendors by checking out the delicious foods and drinks they have to offer our Palmerston community. You can find them at the locations below. 

• Sanctuary Lakes:
  - Tuesday - The Purple Lady Laksa and Soup, 4pm-8pm
  - Wednesday - Holy Smokes, 5pm-7:30pm
  - Thursday - Red Dog Donuts, 4pm-8pm
  - Friday - Saffa's Hut, 11am-8pm
  - Saturday - Sunshine Bagels and Brew, 7am-12pm and
     The Potato Man and Cheeky Cheeky Churros, 5pm-7:30pm
  - Sunday - Sunshine Bagels and Brew, 7am-12pm and
     Troppo Fizz, 2pm-8pm. 
• Marlow Lagoon:
  - Wednesday - The Purple Lady Laksa and Soup, 4pm-8pm
  - Thursday - The Purple Lady Laksa and Soup, 4pm-8pm
  - Saturday - Saffa's Hut, 4pm-8pm
  - Sunday - Saffa's Hut, 11am-8pm
• Zuccoli Dog Park
  - Friday - Wors & Wurst, 4pm-8pm
  - Saturday - Wors & Wurst, 4pm-8pm

Holy Smokes BBQ are one of the Pop-Up Dining vendors  who have been selling out almost every Wednesday night at Sanctuary Lakes! 

Community Plan Health Check

Community starts with a conversation. Community engagement has started for Council's Community Plan to make sure our activities are aligned with the outcomes.  Your ideas and feedback will help to shape our next chapter.  Fill in the survey, visit us at one of the below pop-ups, or join the community panel and earn yourself $120! EOIs for the Community Panel are currently open!

Community engagement ends 9 May 2026. To join the conversation and find out more about the Community Plan, click here. 

Smart Business Systems Workshops

City of Palmerston and the Business Enterprise Centre ran well attended business workshops at the Palmerston Library community room throughout March! Participants were able to learn more about CRM tools, Microsoft 365 to organise Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive, and how to set up and use MYOB and Xero. 

Thank you to businesses who attended and we hope you learnt lots of tips and tricks to support you through smoother business operations. 

Zuccoli Pump Track is Open

Join us on Sunday, 19 April from 8:30am to 11:00am for the official opening of the Pump Track. Enjoy a free breakfast and coffee, BMX competitions, and a range of stallholders. 

You can find a sneak peak of what's left to come for stage two of the Hub here. 

Protect  Your Information

Don't let a scammer piece together your identity.  You can learn how to protect your information from falling into the wrong hands. Protect yourself from misinformation and disinformation here: https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/protect-yourself-from-misinformation-and-disinformation

Super for Employers

Understand how much, when and how to pay super to your employees. The Australian Taxation Office's guidance  includes checklists and an online course. 

Click here: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers to find all the information on all things super. 

Got a Side Hustle? 

A side hustle is an activity or job outside of your main job that can give you extra income. Find out about what you need to know about side hustles and learn more about the differences, tax obligations and how to manage burnout. 

Click here: https://business.gov.au/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-side-hustles#atid=c677bbb71ab8350f to read all the information available from the Australian Government. 

Thinking About Closing Your Business?

There is a lot to consider. it can be a difficult decision to close your business. You can learn the process and your legal and tax responsibilities here: https://business.gov.au/exiting/closing-your-business

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

Council's Economic Development team is 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 success in future editions of this newsletter.

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