PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR NEW STUART POLICE STATION
Published Thursday, 01 March, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Stuart residents are one step closer to receiving a new police station which will provide better resources and increased policing services to the community.
Police Minister Judy Spence today announced that the new station, which will be constructed on the police reserve on Stuart Drive, will also provide a 24-hour police presence to residents.
Ms Spence said improving police infrastructure in Stuart was a key issue raised during last year’s police rally in Townsville.
“Stuart‘s population has increased significantly since the existing station was built back in 1981,” Ms Spence said.
“So too have police numbers in the district, which have increased by more than 30% since the Beattie Government was first elected in 1998 – from 341, to 516 today.
“To give police the infrastructure they need and to ease overcrowding at the station, plans for a new station have been completed and tenders have been called to construct the facility.
“I will continue to work with the Commissioner and the Queensland Police Union of Employees to ensure police have the appropriate infrastructure and resources to continue their fight against crime.”
Ms Spence said the new police station will become the base for the district’s Traffic Branch and will also accommodate general duties and plain clothes police.
“The new facility will feature three interview rooms, two holding cells and a home look-alike and observation room for interviewing child witnesses,” Ms Spence said.
“Prefabricated buildings have been placed on the existing site to accommodate the growing number of police officers and to allow the station to begin operating as a 24 hour facility.
“The Police Service is considering options for the best use of the existing facilities.”
Ms Spence said the construction new Stuart Police Station is the final stage of a broader strategy to improve police service delivery for the Townsville area.
“Over the past three years, the Beattie Government has already spent more than $9.6 million to improve the working conditions and infrastructure for police in the region,” Ms Spence said.
“This has resulted in the refurbishment of the Kirwan Police Station, the new Vincent Police Beat, and the construction of the Mundingburra Complex to accommodate both the District and Regional Offices.”
Ms Spence said tenders for the new Stuart Police Station were called earlier this month, with construction expected to be completed by November 2007.
Media contact: Sarah Martin 3239 6172 / 0408 732 491
Police Minister Judy Spence today announced that the new station, which will be constructed on the police reserve on Stuart Drive, will also provide a 24-hour police presence to residents.
Ms Spence said improving police infrastructure in Stuart was a key issue raised during last year’s police rally in Townsville.
“Stuart‘s population has increased significantly since the existing station was built back in 1981,” Ms Spence said.
“So too have police numbers in the district, which have increased by more than 30% since the Beattie Government was first elected in 1998 – from 341, to 516 today.
“To give police the infrastructure they need and to ease overcrowding at the station, plans for a new station have been completed and tenders have been called to construct the facility.
“I will continue to work with the Commissioner and the Queensland Police Union of Employees to ensure police have the appropriate infrastructure and resources to continue their fight against crime.”
Ms Spence said the new police station will become the base for the district’s Traffic Branch and will also accommodate general duties and plain clothes police.
“The new facility will feature three interview rooms, two holding cells and a home look-alike and observation room for interviewing child witnesses,” Ms Spence said.
“Prefabricated buildings have been placed on the existing site to accommodate the growing number of police officers and to allow the station to begin operating as a 24 hour facility.
“The Police Service is considering options for the best use of the existing facilities.”
Ms Spence said the construction new Stuart Police Station is the final stage of a broader strategy to improve police service delivery for the Townsville area.
“Over the past three years, the Beattie Government has already spent more than $9.6 million to improve the working conditions and infrastructure for police in the region,” Ms Spence said.
“This has resulted in the refurbishment of the Kirwan Police Station, the new Vincent Police Beat, and the construction of the Mundingburra Complex to accommodate both the District and Regional Offices.”
Ms Spence said tenders for the new Stuart Police Station were called earlier this month, with construction expected to be completed by November 2007.
Media contact: Sarah Martin 3239 6172 / 0408 732 491