Melissa Maguire

for City of Palmerston Councillor

People & safety first approach

Practical & solutions focused

A fresh voice for Palmerston
(an independent one)

No corflute candidate = priceless

Digital only campaign = under $500

  • 19 years Palmerston resident

    My husband and I are Driver residents and love living in Palmerston but we also know that a lot can be done to make it an even better place for all.

  • 8+ years as a business owner

    Have helped business secure competitive contracts and funding to start, run and grow their businesses across the Territory

  • Community Advocate

    For a more inclusive Palmerston where initiatives reflect our growing population and accessibility needs of the community.

Community Social Workers at the Library

Our library is one of the few safe, accessible spaces open to everyone — and it can do even more to support the community.

I’ll advocate for funding 1–2 Community Social Workers based at the Palmerston Library and future Zuccoli Community Hub to provide practical, in-library support — helping residents fill out forms, navigate services, and find the right information to access housing, mental health, or family support.

This initiative is already working in other parts of Australia — with libraries recognised as trusted places for people to reach out for help.

As highlighted in The Guardian, councils across the country are introducing library-based social workers to better support vulnerable residents.

By connecting people to the right services early, we strengthen our community and reduce pressure on crisis systems.

My priorities

Let’s face it — four years is a long time to be a City of Palmerston Councillor, and I’ve got a long wish list.

Like most residents, I want the basics done well: better roads, fairer rates, reliable rubbish collection, responsible animal management, and community safety. I’ll be working hard for ongoing, continuous improvement in those areas.

But this list goes a step further - it’s a back-to-basics, people-first, safety-first approach that reflects what I believe is possible and necessary as Palmerston continues to grow.

While many in our community are thriving, others are facing real challenges. My focus is on ensuring no one is left behind through simple, practical initiatives like a social worker based at our library - an initiative that is working in other councils around Australia.

Community Wellbeing & Inclusion

I'll push for even more community initiatives:

  • A mobile playgroup just like City of Darwin’s Fun Bus Mobile Playgroup

  • More playgrounds

  • A Palmerston Women’s Shed

  • A future that has a Community Link Bus to connect residents to community events and services

Accessible Council Services

Everyone should be able to access council information regardless of age, ability, or digital confidence.

The current City of Palmerston website scores just 57% for accessibility using Userway’s online checker — well below best practice. The widget on the left hand side of this page ensures accessibility for vision impaired, dyslexia etc etc.

I’ll advocate for:

  • Improved website and print material accessibility (contrast, font, screen reader compatibility)

  • Clearer language and layouts across all print and digital materials

  • A more inclusive, user-friendly experience for all residents

Because good communication is essential local service - not an afterthought.

Greener, Safer Streets

Palmerston needs shaded footpaths, safer crossings, and well-lit public spaces. I’ll advocate for:

  • More CCTVs where we need them most

  • Improved lighting on public access footpaths - the type that is solar powered and motion triggered

  • Repairs or replacement to long-neglected infrastructure such as the Marlow Lagoon bridge

  • Expanding tree planting programs and rolling out native plant giveaways (modelled on City of Darwin)

  • A long-term management plan for ageing African Mahogany trees across our suburbs

Youth Voice & Leadership

Young people in Palmerston deserve a real say and with the youth population expected to double in the next 10-15 years we have an obligation to give them a voice in shaping the community.

I want to establish a Youth Advisory Group that gives teens and young adults a platform to help shape programs, services, and future council priorities.

Cultural Recognition & First Nations Engagement

I’ll advocate for a Council that meaningfully recognises and includes Indigenous culture, leadership, and economic participation.

This includes:

  • Delivering on a strong, transparent Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) developed in partnership with Larrakia and local Indigenous organisations

  • Greater visibility of Larrakia place names, signage, and storytelling across parks, infrastructure, and public spaces

  • Inclusion of cultural engagement, design and story-telling in community infrastructure projects

  • Increased procurement from Indigenous-owned businesses

  • Direct pathways for Indigenous employment within Council, from entry-level to leadership

Reconciliation is about action, opportunity, and respect.

Roads and Water Infrastructure

Many of Palmerston’s roads are in urgent need of resurfacing or repair and water infrastructure is ageing fast.

I’ll advocate for:

  • Greater council investment in road upgrades and advocacy for more NT and Australian Government funding to support this need.

  • Stronger collaboration and accountability from Power and Water on planned infrastructure works and upgrades across Palmerston suburbs

Stronger Support for Local Business

Local businesses are the backbone of our community — and deserve better visibility and access. I’ll advocate for:

  • A free City of Palmerston Business Directory on the council website that provides practical promotion of businesses and information to the community of operating hours and services and also serves to minimise scams over on marketplace.

  • Improved and transparent procurement practices that are transparent and favour Palmerston-based providers for low and mid-value contracts.

Improving infrastructure and community safety

We need a back to basics approach that prioritises community safety first over multi-million dollar projects.

The Marlow Lagoon bridge is one example of constant expenditure going towards quick fixes rather than long term solutions that are both safe and has value for money benefits.

Photo taken in July 2025 at Marlow Lagoon.

Media

Featured
You Can’t Spin Away a One-Third Collapse in Support
You Can’t Spin Away a One-Third Collapse in Support

In 2021, the City of Palmerston Mayor walked back into office with a landslide. 74% of Palmerston voters backed her on the primary vote. It was clear, decisive, and left little room for debate.

But 2025 tells a very different story. This time, City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell’s primary support has dropped to just 48.8%. That’s more than 3,900 fewer votes and a loss of over a third of her support base.

Let’s be real that doesn’t happen by accident.

Read More →
“Candidates of Lesser Quality” – Why This Remark Matters
“Candidates of Lesser Quality” – Why This Remark Matters

“Candidates of Lesser Quality” – Why This Remark Matters
In a recent radio interview, the current Mayor described some of this year’s election candidates as “candidates of lesser quality.”

“… unfortunately we had some candidates of lesser quality put their hand up this election …” – current Mayor of City of Palmerston stated on Mix 104.9 - 360 with Katie Woolf on 26 August 2025.

At first glance, it might sound like just another throwaway political comment. But in reality, this kind of language has deeper consequences.

Read More →
🌿 Thank You, Palmerston 🌿
🌿 Thank You, Palmerston 🌿

Firstly, thank you to everyone who came out and voted in this election. It looks likely I won’t get over the line this time. That’s okay. I put my hand up for the right reasons, and this journey has taught me so much about our city, our people, and—yes—our politics. We saw a lot of party politics and gatekeeping in play, and that was a learning in itself.

Read More →
Why Palmerston Needs Independent Voices
Why Palmerston Needs Independent Voices

Local government should be the most democratic level of representation — where everyday residents put their hand up to contribute, and the community decides who they want speaking for them. But the current Palmerston election shows a very different picture.

The Mayor has publicly endorsed certain candidates while casting veiled accusations against others. Almost every sitting councillor has then released how-to-vote cards that closely mirror each other, stacking preferences in the same way.

This isn’t healthy debate or a contest of ideas it’s a colluded closed circle where independent voices are shut out. Putting political parties first before the community.

Read More →
The Difference Between Listening and Controlling the Conversation
The Difference Between Listening and Controlling the Conversation

Local leaders often talk about being accessible to the community.
They highlight how open they are to feedback, how willing they are to listen, and how they value two-way conversation.

But here’s the question: can you really call yourself accessible if you’re turning off comments on your social media posts altogether in local community groups?

Read More →