Power and Water: Effective Infrastructure?

Will the Power and Water Corporation be ready to deal with the increased growth of Darwin? Little is mentioned on their website about the issues with increasing the power grids ability to cope with the boom in population. The Northern Territory Government have outlined their desire to build another suburb south of Palmerston - called Weddell, and I question whether Power and Water are ready for this.

In a media release back on 5th Feb, Power and Water say, "The electricity network is highly complex infrastructure, and all work will be carried out in line with strict safety standards." We understand, albeit naively, that this is a complex operation - to expand, and no doubt costly. What is the NT Government doing to assist?

On another note, Power and Water developed the Melaleuca Awards in 2003, and they award Territorians who reduce their impact on the environment. Awards are given within categories labelled Community, Commercial/Industry, Small Business, Schools and Environment Grants. For more info click here.

I assume Power Water have about 6 months before the next wet season hits, and for the communities sake, the electricity work needs to be up to scratch.
__________________________
Palmerston Daily: Local News, Local Issues, Local Voices. Email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org

The Crocs in the Wet Season!

Went down to Lake Bennett this week, and spent time at the Lake Bennett Wilderness Resort. I didn't see a croc like the one on the left, but there apparently were some freshwater varieties hanging around.

NT News says, 'Children as young as seven are having to cross a croc-infested billabong to get to school at a Territory community. Residents at Palumpa, near Wadeye, say children have been wading in water that can reach up to their waists since the ferry service - a tinnie - was cancelled by the council.' Nice one council. Cutting costs, but putting lives at risk.
___________________________
On March 28th there are National Youth Week celebrations in Palmerston. If you're young (or young at heart), come along. (See previous posts)
___________________________
The last I heard, the Palmerston City Council had a vision for more community centre spaces in the future. If you have community space available in Palmerston, please let us know.
___________________________
Palmerston Daily: Local News, Local Issues, Local Voices. Email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org for any stories, news items or events relevant to the Palmerston NT area.

The Berrimah Line

I was talking recently with someone about the Berrimah line. This so called distinction between Darwin and Palmerston. The line which supposedly the Darwinites don't go beyond.

It's a shame we create this kind of culture of distinction between one place and another. I hope the culture that says, 'We don't go beyond the Berrimah line' fades into insignificance, as we discover the ability to work together in the top end, for the greater good...

Palmerston is alive and a place of energy, with so many young families, trade workers, Army personnel, etc, etc. What an exciting future ahead of us...
_______________________
Palmerston Daily: Local News, Local Issues, Local Voices. Comment here, give us a Palmerston Plug for an up and coming event. Or email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org.

Palmerston - City of the Future

An NT News SMS read like this recently, "I noticed on a Palmerston number plate-' Palmerston - City of the Future '. It had me puzzled as to why, but then it dawned on me! We can predict the future in Palmo - murders, stabbings, theft, rape, bashings and I predict it will never change." Bretto, Rapid Creek (See NTNews)

I predict it will change Bretto. It's interesting you come from Rapid Creek, and don't actually live in this town of Palmerston. There are so many good things that go on in Palmerston, and as this town grows and grows, services will improve, quality of life will improve, community development will be at the forefront, and the Berrimah line won't exist anymore.

Thanks to all the Police who do an awesome job in Palmo, working tirelessly to see change and transformation around them. Keep it up.
________________________
Palmerston Daily: Local News, Local Issues, Local Voices. Put your comment here, or email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org with any stories...

NT Mining Industry - Good or Bad?

Whereever I turn, there seems to be someone affected by the Mining Industry in the NT, not to mention Palmerston. One of my friends lost her job recently, because there was no work for her at the plant where they sift the dirt.
NT News reports of a mine in Tenant Creek closing for three months.

What do the workers do? Just sit around and sip coffee for a few months waiting for the mines to reopen? There are guys in Palmerston affected, and I was speaking to guys from Humpty Doo who lost their jobs because of the mining industry.
I'm a little naive, but why is there so little job security in the mining industry at the moment? Will it improve? For the sake of people in the Top End with livelihoods depending on it, I hope it does!
__________________________
Palmerston Daily: Local News, Local Issues, Local Voices. Have your say, comment here, or email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org.

Palmerston: The Future Centre of the Top End?

Yesterday I commented on volunteers. Today I had a volunteer come and help my wife and I do some admin. A young Uni student, who gave up her Monday morning to serve. Thanks Stacey!
________________________
Is anyone concerned about the capabilities of the PowerWater company to cope with the increased, continued growth of Palmerston, parts of Darwin, even Weddell into the future? We pay so much already on our Power bills. People lose their groceries, and they lose profits from their businesses, etc, etc. What is the Government doing to improve the capacity of the current Power Grid? What is PowerWater doing?
________________________
I know of a lolly pop man who enjoys serving the Palmerston community every morning and afternoon, when the kids come and go from School. This guy loves Palmerston. Go the lolly pop men!
________________________
What do you think of the new town Weddell? Will it make Palmerston the centre of the top end? Will it put development of infrastructure in Palmerston on the back burner? We need more Northern Territory Government support for community development in Palmerston. Sure, I'm biased, as a resident of Palmerston. But, the fact remains true: We need greater infrastructure in this growing town of Palmerston to cope with the increased demand on services.
________________________
Palmerston Daily: Local News, Local Issues, Local Voices. Have your say, comment here, or email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org

Volunteering improves young people's Self-confidence and Self-esteem

National Volunteer Workers News shares on its front page a story about the effect that volunteering has on young people. The article says, 'Research shows that young people can and do increase their self-confidence and self-esteem, develop a range of communication skills and improve their ability to work with other people through volunteering'.

I was wondering how this would relate to Palmerston, and what avenues there are to connect young people into volunteering. Any thoughts/ideas? Here are some of mine:
* Clean up Australia Day
* Graffiti Clean Up - Wash some graffiti, then catch up for fish n' chips
* Start a Community Garden
* Do you run any Kid's programs? Have some of the youth helping with leadership, organising, etc.
* Own a Business? Maybe you could have some youth on work experience?

Do you have any volunteer positions available for Palmerston and/or Darwin - comment here.
Here's a Palmerston Plug:
"Volunteers needed Fridays, 8:30am - 12:30pm @ The Salvation Army, to help with our weekly Garage Sale. Sorting clothes, lifting boxes, cleaning, etc. Email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org "

Add your Palmerston plug here...

News that affects Palmerston

Oasis Shopping Village has reportedly raised $12,400 in its fundraising endeavours to support the Victorian Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. Nice work!
__________________________
The Red Cross announced that it is not doing it annual Red Cross Calling in March because of the huge personnel commitment to the Bushfires.
__________________________
Young Achiever Awards: Congrats to these Palmerston & Rural locals:
* George Brown - NT Government Career Achievement Award
* Katherine Strobel - Power and Water Science and Engineering Award
* Mathew Bock - Minister for Young Territorians Excellence in Youth Leadership Award
* Simon Baker-Jones & Samantha Penny - Department of Health and Families Young Carers Award
__________________________
Have you been to the new Health Precinct yet? My wife and I, took our baby Shekinah with us, and were impressed with the service. Have you had any news worthy experiences with the precinct? Let us know.
__________________________
Drove to Wollies the other day (Oasis Shopping Village), and a guy in his Ute conveniently parked in the PRAMS section of the carpark. A little frustrating. Maybe $135 fines would do the trick.
__________________________
Have your say, comment here, or email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org

Adopt a bus shelter - Graffiti Management

The Palmerston Neighbourhood Watch newletter tells of a couple of volunteers in Malak who have adopted a bus shelter and they paint it and fix it up as soon as it gets graffiti on it. Nice idea. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure supply the paint, and a couple of committed volunteers do the rest. From my experience, when you eradicate graffiti quickly, and consistently, the offenders move on.
The newletter asks that if you are interested in the graffiti clean up program coming to Palmerston, to contact NHW. Their details:
www.nhwnt.com.au or: Tommi Husband - 0407 189 143

Palmerston Council will supply residents and businesses with the necessary resources to remove graffiti (after they report it to the cops - 131 444). Lets do our part to make Palmerston the place to live!!

National Youth Week 2009 in Palmerston NT

We need more for young guys to do. There's a skate ramp, there's movies, there's shops... The catch cry is for more services in Palmerston to engage youth. Let us know if you're doing something creative to work with young people in Palmerston.

Thanks to beyondblue, Palmerston City Council and the Northern Territory Government's help to put the above Youth Week event together. I'll be there... (Hey, I'm still young!)

Palmerston News - The latest

Palmerston Daily will blog on the latest Palmerston News. What is happening in the NT? What is the latest news to hit Palmerston, Darwin and the Top End? Not only news, but issues and local needs will be discussed. Feel free to comment, and have your voice heard.

________________________

The Northern Territory continue to dig deep for those affected by the bushfires in Victoria. On Saturday there were firies collecting money at the doors of the Wollies Shopping Centre. Many people were donating. Coles was packed last Friday as all profits from our shopping was being given to the Red Cross. It's great to see local businesses supporting the Red Cross, The Salvation Army and other groups who are working on the front line down south.

________________________

Will petrol prices go below $1.30 a Litre? The price of oil has dropped. But not the price of Petrol in Palmerston! Whose responsible for this and where's the action? Someone is pocketing the money, and its surely not the consumer.

________________________

Got any Palmerston News? Any Events that are happening? Any latest issues worth discussing? Email: peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org

Palmerston to continue to Grow

Mr Henderson said recently that the population of the Darwin and Palmerston areas was expected to increase 34 per cent by 2021. To cope with the growth there's Government planning for a new city called Weddell, 15 km south of Palmerston, which will end up housing 40,000 people. Geographically that would make Palmerston the middle of the Top End!

Even with the plans of Weddell, Palmerston will continue to grow into the future. Community groups have opportunity to expand and provide their services to more people. Churches have potential to positively affect more lives, and businesses will be stretched to the limit, as Palmerston continues to grow.

We will definitely need to work hard to create the infrastrucutre to cope with such fast population growth.

Any comments?

Email peter.brookshaw@aus.salvationarmy.org if you've got any local news or stories.

Inpex and their Gas Plant

While sitting in on the Palmerston Council meeting tonight, workers connected with Inpex came and shared their proposal for building a housing precinct in Palmerston. A multi-billion dollar gas plant is set for Darwin, and with that comes the opportunity for employment, and the obvious need of housing new employees working at the plant. The proposal is to build temporary housing towards the east of the Stuart Highway, which would accomodate about 2,500 people over 5 years. This has enormous implications for Palmerston, most positive, but there are obviously some concerns.

* What about the traffic?
* Will there be too much of an increased burden on our already stretched infrastructure?

Any comments?

Palmerston Daily

Do you want to keep up with what's happening in Palmerston? Do you want a place to give comments and opinions on the development of this town? Palmerston Daily will be an opportunity to read some of what is going on in town. I'm interested in your opinions, I'm interesting in hearing what you have to say about our local community.

Palmerston Daily. Put it in the favourites, put it on your blogroll. Stay informed. Leave comments.