- Published:
- Thursday 2 March 2017
Echuca’s new police station was officially opened today replacing the almost 50-year old station that local police had long outgrown.
The new double-storey station will operate a 24-hour counter service available to the town’s more than 14,000 residents.
The new station houses a range of specialist units to respond to community needs, including criminal investigations unit, prosecutions and a proactive programs unit.
The modern building design includes a community-friendly entrance and counter space, as well as a custom built custody suite with interview rooms.
The building also has the latest amenities for police officers, including a newly equipped gymnasium and change rooms.
A year in construction, the police station comes as the Andrews Labor Government delivers a record boost to frontline police resources with 3135 new police to be recruited over the next five years, on top of normal attrition recruitment.
This boost in frontline police is the lynchpin of the Community Safety Statement 2017 – a plan backed by $2 billion in investment that will keep Victorians safe, prevent harm in our communities and hold criminals to account.
As part of this record funding announced in December 2016 the Labor Government will replace other regional stations in Wedderburn, Warracknabeal, Rutherglen, Alexandra, Wycheproof and Tangambalanga.
New metropolitan stations will also replace outdated facilities in Wyndham, Altona North, Reservoir and South Melbourne.
This is on top of the $36.8 million delivered in 2016-17 to replace and refurbish police stations and facilities across regional Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“The new 24-hour counter service will ensure the Echuca community has access to law enforcement officials at all times.”
“It’s vital that our police have the facilities they need to serve and protect their local communities, which is why we are replacing outdated police facilities across the state.”