Record Capital Works Budget to fund new police stations

Police Minister Judy Spence said a record $142 Million for new and improved police stations and facilities is being delivered in the 2008/09 State Budget.

Ms Spence said this year’s capital works budget for police is $40 Million more than last year’s capital works budget of $102.3 Million.

“This year we are focusing on the final delivery of a host of major police station projects across the state,” Ms Spence said.

“It is essential we deliver new and upgraded infrastructure to accommodate growth, as we continue to increase the number of police serving the people of Queensland.

“Almost $30 Million of this funding will see the delivery of six brand new police stations and completed by mid 2009.

“$64 Million will go towards building 13 replacement police stations and facilities, to ensure our police have the modern infrastructure and resources they need for policing in the 21st century.”

Ms Spence said the budget will fund the completion of 16 major projects by the end of the 2008/09 financial year, including:

• $8.6 Million for a new police station and offices associated with the Caboolture District at Burpengary;
• $7.6 Million for a replacement police station at Fortitude Valley;
• $6.8 Million for a replacement police station and watchhouse at Whitsunday;
• $5.8 Million for a replacement police station at Holland Park;
• $4.9 Million for a new police station at Crestmead/Marsden;
• $4.9 Million for a new police station at Springfield;
• $4.8 Million for a replacement police station at Ayr;
• $4.7 Million for a replacement police station at Yeppoon;
• $4.5 Million for a replacement police station, district headquarters & watchhouse at Charleville;
• $4.0 Million for a new police station at Sippy Downs, with earthworks to commence in July, and the project to be completed by mid 2009;
• $3.6 Million for a new police station at Mango Hill/North Lakes;
• $3.6 Million for a new police station at Reedy Creek/Robina;
• $2.3 Million for a replacement police station at Camp Hill;
• $2.4 Million for a replacement police station at Surfers Paradise;
• $2.4 Million for a replacement police station at Port Douglas; and
• $0.3 Million for a replacement police station at Ravenshoe;

$35.9 Million will also be provided for the ongoing construction of 5 major projects:

• $11.8 Million for a replacement police station and watchhouse at Ipswich;
• $7.5 Million for a replacement police station and watchhouse at Mareeba;
• $7.3 Million for the new Coomera District Headquarters;
• $6.2 Million for a new police station at Carseldine; and
• $3.1 Million for a replacement police station and watchhouse at Murgon.

$9.3 Million is also being delivered for the upgrading and refurbishment of the following police stations:

• $2.5 Million for the refurbishment of Beenleigh Police Station;
• $2.4 Million for the refurbishment of Upper Mount Gravatt Police Station;
• $0.9 Million for upgrades to Smithfield Police Station;
• $0.9 Million for extensions to Thursday Island Police Station;
• $0.7 Million for upgrades to Mount Morgan Police Station;
• $0.6 Million for upgrades to The Gap Police Station;
• $0.6 Million for upgrades to Mudgeeraba Police Station;
• $0.5 Million for Stage 3 of the refurbishment of Longreach Police Station;
• $0.2 Million for upgrades to Bribie Island Police Station.

“The budget also includes $7.3 Million for police housing in the Indigenous communities of Aurukun, Bamaga, Kowanyama, Cooktown and Weipa,” Ms Spence said.

The 2008/09 State Budget is providing a record $1.571 Billion for the Queensland Police Service, a $134 Million increase on last year’s police budget.


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