WORK TO COMMENCE ON NEW $4.49 MILLION CLONCURRY POLICE STATION
Published Tuesday, 14 November, 2006 at 11:49 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
A temporary police station will be established in Cloncurry while a new $4.49 million station is constructed over the next 12 months, Police Minister Judy Spence announced today.
Ms Spence said the existing police station at 35 Scarr Street, which was built in 1963, will be demolished and a new police station will be constructed in its place.
“Cloncurry is a growing regional centre and with this expansion has come the need for a larger police station which can accommodate more police officers and modern facilities,” Ms Spence said.
“Planning for the new station is already currently underway and site work is expected to commence in December.
“The new station will accommodate general duties police as well as the Stock Squad, Traffic Branch and the Criminal Investigation Branch.
“It will also feature a major incident room, an electronic interview room, three holding cells and a home look-alike and observation room for interviewing child witnesses.
“The old watchhouse building on the site will be retained and redeveloped for storage, including a station exhibit room and station archive room.
“Construction is expected to take up to 10 months to complete.”
The Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, said the announcement was welcome news for the community.
“Cloncurry has grown a great deal since the police station was built more than 40 years ago, and with this growth has come the need for a boost in local services,” Ms Kiernan said.
“This new station will ensure our police are better supported in their role with better operational resources, improved infrastructure and working conditions.
“To ensure there is no disruption to policing services during this period, the State Government has allocated $620,000 to relocate the police station to temporary premise on Scarr Street.
“The building, which is being leased from the local council, will undergo minor refurbishments so that is meets the operational needs of police.
“A prefabricated cell block will also be relocated from Ingham and established on the site and all the office equipment and furniture will be relocated from the existing police station.”
Ms Kiernan said police will relocate to the temporary premises as soon as the refurbishment is complete and the appropriate services have been connected.
Media contact: Sarah Martin 3239 6172 / 0408 732 491
Ms Spence said the existing police station at 35 Scarr Street, which was built in 1963, will be demolished and a new police station will be constructed in its place.
“Cloncurry is a growing regional centre and with this expansion has come the need for a larger police station which can accommodate more police officers and modern facilities,” Ms Spence said.
“Planning for the new station is already currently underway and site work is expected to commence in December.
“The new station will accommodate general duties police as well as the Stock Squad, Traffic Branch and the Criminal Investigation Branch.
“It will also feature a major incident room, an electronic interview room, three holding cells and a home look-alike and observation room for interviewing child witnesses.
“The old watchhouse building on the site will be retained and redeveloped for storage, including a station exhibit room and station archive room.
“Construction is expected to take up to 10 months to complete.”
The Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, said the announcement was welcome news for the community.
“Cloncurry has grown a great deal since the police station was built more than 40 years ago, and with this growth has come the need for a boost in local services,” Ms Kiernan said.
“This new station will ensure our police are better supported in their role with better operational resources, improved infrastructure and working conditions.
“To ensure there is no disruption to policing services during this period, the State Government has allocated $620,000 to relocate the police station to temporary premise on Scarr Street.
“The building, which is being leased from the local council, will undergo minor refurbishments so that is meets the operational needs of police.
“A prefabricated cell block will also be relocated from Ingham and established on the site and all the office equipment and furniture will be relocated from the existing police station.”
Ms Kiernan said police will relocate to the temporary premises as soon as the refurbishment is complete and the appropriate services have been connected.
Media contact: Sarah Martin 3239 6172 / 0408 732 491