The area was officially defined as a suburb in April 2007, adopting the commonly used local name for the residential subdivisions east of the town centre.

Development in Katherine East is mainly residential north of Stuart Highway, with a small industrial area to the south.

The regional headquarters for the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services is located opposite the industrial area along the Stuart Highway.

Medium and long term planning has also identified a site within the suburb for a future health precinct as the current Katherine District Hospital has been subject to inundation during the 1998 and 2006 flood events.

[5] In 2022, following a $5 million Arts Trail Grant from the Northern Territory Government, the centre will expand its interior venue and add a new outdoor amphitheatre for live events and dry season activities.