FINAL STAGE OF CABOOLTURE POLICE STATION WORKS

The Caboolture Police Station is about to enter the third and final stage of a multi-million dollar upgrade.

Police Minister Judy Spence, who today visited officers at the station at the invitation of the Member for Glasshouse, Carolyn Male, announced she had just approved a further $750,000 to start the last remaining part of works to the station.

Ms Spence said stage three will complete the $2.5 million project, which has been conducted in stages to ensure the station has remained operational throughout the construction works.

“Stages one and two have been completed, and stage three is essentially the refurbishment of the Caboolture Police Station watchhouse,” Ms Spence said.

“The prefabricated buildings that were used during the first two stages have been removed, and QBuild has called for quotes to remove a fuel tank ahead of the watchhouse upgrade.

“The watchhouse will be refurbished in sections so that it remains operational during the works.

“The works will include a prefabricated cell block, extra property storage, a new charge area and general refurbishment works.”

Ms Spence said the work is expected to be completed by June 2007.

The Member for Glasshouse, Carolyn Male, welcomed the news of the third stage of works, saying she had been regularly viewing the final stages of the upgrade as they had been taking shape.

“The first stage saw the upgrade of ground floor facilities at the station, which now provides officers with a refurbished general duties section day room, improved interview facilities, a Duty Sergeants area, Officer in Charge office, conference room, meal room, Inquiries office, Tactician's office and foyer,” Ms Male said.

“The second stage has improved the accommodation of the Criminal Investigation Branch, Juvenile Aid Bureau, Police Prosecutions and locker room areas.

“This has been a big project, which is helping ensure Caboolture police have the best possible infrastructure, resources and support to work with the community in fighting crime.”

Ms Spence said the State Government had more than doubled police officer numbers in Caboolture since coming into office in 1998 – up 35 to 78.

“However, with more police on the beat than ever before, some of our stations have become overcrowded and others are outdated for modern policing functions,” Ms Spence said.

“Caboolture police station needed major improvements, and I am pleased to see these are nearing completion.

“Meanwhile, police are close to finalising lease negotiations for floor space in the Caboolture Business District, which will be used to house the new police district headquarters.

“This is great news for Caboolture, as a new district will mean new police facilities, extra officers and a new headquarters.

“Together with a new police station at Burpengary, the new district headquarters will be part of an $11.5 million commitment to policing in the area by the Beattie Government.”

Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287