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Media Releases My electorate office distributes information which is important to the Southport electorate in particular, and the Gold Coast in general. This information goes to the print and electronic media, however due to space or time constraints it doesn’t always get printed or broadcast. Through my website however, you can access all news stories which emanate from my office and thus keep up-to-date with State Government issues relating to Southport.
Spence Announces Construction of a New Southport Police Station |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jun 07 2004 |
| Media Releases >> |
The old Southport Police Station will be demolished this year and a new $3.9 million state-of-the-art facility built in its place, the Minister for Police and Corrective Services, Judy Spence, announced today.
"The new station should be opened by January 2006, housing about 100 officers and staff in a modern building that meets the operational needs of police as well as the growing Gold Coast community," Ms Spence said.
"It will provide the full range of functions of a 24-hour police station."
"The redevelopment of the Southport Station has been a priority of the Beattie Government and the Queensland Police Service.
"At the last election we made a commitment to accelerate work on improvements to the station. However, I decided that plan should be reviewed when I visited the station shortly after becoming Minister for Police in February.
"I was not convinced refurbishment was indeed the best option, and after ongoing discussions with the Commissioner and the Police Union of Employees about the issue, I am pleased that we are now moving quickly towards construction of a completely new station.
"The Police Service has set aside $1.9 million in 2004-05, with a further $2 million committed the following year to complete the project."
The Commissioner of Police, Bob Atkinson, said the decision to demolish the old station - on the corner of Hinze and Scarborough Streets, Southport - and build a new facility on the site was made after the Department of Public Works undertook a pre-design study.
"An evaluation of the cost revealed that while refurbishment would be slightly cheaper than construction of a new building, the ongoing maintenance costs would be much higher," Mr Atkinson said.
"Replacing the old station with a new one seemed the most sensible long-term option, and the existing site was preferred because it is adjacent to the Southport Watchhouse and there is room for future expansion.
"We can also accommodate staff in temporary buildings on the block next door - currently a police car park - while construction is underway.
Ms Spence added: "By January 2006 Southport should have a new, purpose-built, contemporary police station."
The Member for Southport, Peter Lawlor, said he was thrilled with the decision, having made representations to the Minister on the need for a new station.
"The old building had out-lived its purpose and I believe investing in a new station is the best decision for police and the community into the future," Mr Lawlor said.
"I look forward to seeing it take shape."
The existing Southport Police Station was built in 1964 as the Southport Courthouse. In 1983 the courthouse relocated into new accommodation on an adjacent site, and the old courthouse was refurbished to accommodate the Southport Police Station.
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 12:00 AM
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