Local police will have the equipment and facilities they need to keep the community safe with the new Colac Police Station officially opened today, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Police Lisa Neville today met local officers and toured the new $11.2 million station.
The Labor Government funded the rebuilding of the 24-hour station as part of its $51.5 million investment to upgrading 36 regional police stations and police residences around the state.
It replaces the old station that was too small and outdated, having been originally built in the 1930s with an extension added in 1979.
The new building includes space for specialist teams including the Crime Investigation Unit, Highway Patrol, Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team and Police Custody Officers.
New custody facilities will ensure offenders can be held at the station for longer periods, instead of being taken to Geelong, which is 76 kilometres away. This will mean that divisional vans can now stay local, rather than spending time transporting prisoners to Geelong for remand.
There are also new interview rooms and office space including multi-purpose rooms, a conference room, locker rooms and a gymnasium for staff.
The Labor Government is delivering the biggest funding boost in the history of the force, with more than $2 billion to recruit thousands more police, upgrade technology, boost police powers and deliver a more efficient and stronger police force.
A total of 53 new police have been allocated to the Geelong division, which includes the Colac area, as part of the Labor Government’s investments to deliver 3,135 new police across the state.
These new police resources are already having an impact, with the latest independent crime statistics showing the Colac Otway Shire crime rate went down by 24.3 per cent in the 12 months to June 2018, and the Surf Coast Shire crime rate fell 15.6 per cent across the same period.
As noted by Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“We’re giving Victoria Police the facilities, resources and equipment they need for a modern police force to keep the local community safe.”
“The previous police station needed space for additional resources and units, and this new fit-for-purpose facility will meet the need of the growing community into the future.”
“This fantastic new facility supports a safer community and will support police as we head into another busy summer period.”
