The City of Palmerston offices and Chambers are on the first floor of Civic Plaza, on the corner of Chung Wah Terrace and University Avenue.

The Library is on The Boulevard, opening onto Goyder Square.

The Elected Council consists of the Mayor and six Aldermen including the Deputy Mayor. Palmerston does not have a ward system so each Alderman serves the entire community.

Palmerston was originally governed by the Palmerston Development Authority, which later became the Palmerston Town Council, was designated a City in 2000 and became Palmerston City Council and now is known as the City of Palmerston.