General

With design focused on activation, accessibility and natural shading, preliminary landscaping designs were developed to leverage off existing vegetation. After further condition assessment of the existing trees, it was determined that removal is required. Whilst all existing trees will be removed, Council will be significantly increasing the number of trees on site as part of the natural shade canopy and removed trees will be replaced with suitable, established trees.

Katherine Town Council wishes to advise the community that the Ryan Park toilets will be CLOSED to the public from Monday 27 July whilst painting works occur. The facility will reopen on Sunday 2 August 2020.

Works on the $3M CBD Revitalisation project have commenced today.

The CBD Revitalisation – Town Square Project is close to commencement, with the appointment of local contractor, Katherine Constructions.

The Hot Springs has been completed, with the Turtle being the final touch to the project. Katherine Town Council is seeking assistance from the community to help name the newly installed Turtle.

Calling all Katherine pooch lovers, Doggy Day is around the corner! Come down to Lindsay Street Complex on Sunday 12 July 2020 from 9am – 12pm for a fun-filled day spent with your furry friends.

Katherine Town Council is pleased to provide the community with improvements for community consultation opportunities into the future. - Quarterly meetings for up to two (2) hours that are open to the community, to provide an opportunity for everyone to discuss topics freely with Elected Members and Senior Staff. The first meeting will be held at the Civic Centre lawn 5:30pm – 7:30pm Monday 13 July 2020, sausage sizzle provided. - Ordinary Meeting of Council will provide an opportunity for the community to attend the meeting and ask questions during a designated “Questions from the Community” on matters related to agenda items only. - Specific meetings when the opportunity presents itself (e.g. seniors morning tea at the Hot Springs) and presentations at a designated facility.

Katherine Town Council would like to formally advise the community on the following Special Meetings of Council being held Thursday 25 June 2020.

Thanks to the generous support of St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc. (St John NT), the Katherine Visitor Information Centre is now the newest location for a lifesaving Automated External defibrillator (AED).

School Holiday Program out now! Available for download OR pick up a hard copy from Katherine Town Council & Big Rivers Children's and Family Centre.

The final stage of the pools shade structure project is due to be completed this week and as a result, the Katherine Aquatic Centre will be closed to the public on Thursday 18 June 6:00 am – 3:00 pm. The aquatic centre will open for public access again from 3 pm, Thursday 18 June.

Commencing from the June Ordinary Meeting of Council, the ‘Open Forum” which usually precedes the meeting will no longer occur and will instead be replaced by “Questions from the Community”, or equivalent in the agenda.

The reseal program will involve resealing approximately 15.5km of the local road network and 5.9km of shoulder repair works at the identified locations below:

Power and Water will be conducting works on Wednesday 10 June 2020, 8:00am – 2:00pm on a section of the Riverbank Trail pedestrian/bike path located between Croker Street and Riverbank Drive. Whilst this work is being completed this section of path will unfortunately be closed.

COVID-19 has and continues to have a significant impact on the Katherine community and its businesses, both financially and mentally. Katherine Town Council is continuously exploring ways to support the Katherine region during this time. Currently, Council is running the Katherine – Live Local, Love Local campaign, Everything Katherine App, Business Rates Concession/Grant and Reopening and Recovery grant to assist during this time.

Katherine Town Council recognises the large financial impact COVID-19 has had on Katherine businesses. In response to this Elected Members endorsed the Special Assistance and Local Employment (SCALE) grant, provided by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Community Development at the May Ordinary Meeting of Council

Katherine Town Council is inviting tenders for the CBD Revitalisation Project. The project will activate the Town Square and create a space for the Katherine Community to gather and socialise, ultimately benefiting the surrounding businesses. Council is excited to be able to provide local construction projects to help locals, during this tough time.

Katherine Town Council advises that the May Ordinary Meeting of Council will be closed to the public, in accordance with current social distancing regulations. Council will re-open meetings to the public starting from 5 June 2020, in line with the stage 3 Road Map to the New Normal. To view the Road Map click here.

The Library is currently undergoing a makeover! The facility is currently being recarpeted, new LED lighting installed and a full bathroom renovation, thanks to the building owners. The library can’t wait for the community to enjoy this newly renovated space.

Katherine Town Council is aware of the recent negative comments regarding the fracturing of Council and the Elected Members. We want to reassure the community that we are taking this seriously.

The installation of the Katherine Aquatic Centre shade structure is currently underway with the project set to be completed by the end of May. To allow for these works to be completed the facility will be closed to the public on the below dates: • Monday 18 May 2020 • Tuesday 19 May 2020 • Wednesday 20 May 2020 • Monday 25 May 2020 • Friday 29 May 2020

The Northern Territory Chief Minister today released the Territory’s Road Map to our New Normal. This road map schedules lifting/lightening certain restrictions and can be viewed here. In response to this announcement Katherine Town Council will be reopening the following facilities/services:

Katherine Town Council invites the community to review the constitutional arrangements and offers members of the public to have their say by undertaking the survey and/or to make comments by 5pm Sunday 17th May 2020. Copies of the Consultation Paper can be viewed on the Katherine Town Council website (http://www.katherine.nt.gov.au) or hard copies can be prearranged via phone 8972 5500.

Katherine Town Council advises that the Low Level Bridge will be undergoing maintenance Wednesday 29 April from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm.

Spend $20 or more and go into the draw to win one (1) of four (4) $200 vouchers

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ANZAC Day services are closed to the public. Anzac Day 2020 will be different from how we traditionally commemorate, whilst social distancing restrictions are in place. The absence of services and marches will not affect the significance of ANZAC Day or the ability to commemorate from home.

With serious economic impacts on a large portion of our community, Katherine Town Council is exploring both short term and long-term options to address the needs of our community.

It is with great sadness that we pay our respects to Andrew Wilson a much-loved work colleague and friend following his passing on the 28th March 2020.

On behalf of the Department of the Chief Minister, Katherine Town Council wishes to advise that the due to the COVID-19 the Easter School Holiday Program has been cancelled.

Over the Easter long weekend, there will be changes to Katherine Town Council services.