Capel's new police station has officially opened its doors, giving the town a much stronger police presence and boosting community safety in the South-West.
Premier Mark McGowan and Police Minister Michelle Roberts were today joined by Commissioner of Police Chris Dawson to officially open the station, located on the corner of Spurr Street and Prowse Road.
The station was constructed by Bunbury builders Devlyn Australia Pty Ltd, who engaged a significant number of local trades during construction.
It has been built using sustainable technologies and, over the course of a year, will generate and deliver as much energy to the supply grid as it uses.
The new police station will operate seven days a week and includes an additional allocation of staff above the South West District's current authorised strength.
It comes following the McGowan Government's commitment of 800 additional police officers, on top of the 300 already being delivered, and record investment in community safety.
An extra $755 million has been added to the WA Police Force budget, allowing for the roll out of major technological improvements including body worn cameras, personal issue mobile devices and protective vests to every frontline officer.
More than $13 million of upgrades and refurbishments are already underway at regional police stations across the State, including at Collie and Donnybrook police stations.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The opening of this station fulfils a commitment we made before the 2017 election and I'm pleased we have been able to deliver it.
"It is part of my Government's commitment to keep Western Australia safe and strong, which includes an additional 800 police officers across Western Australia.
"Our unprecedented investment in police resources will ensure there are more police on the beat across the State.
"The construction of this station has supported the local community through the generation of dozens of jobs and the police that are stationed here will continue to deliver a high standard of service to the South-West.
"Our police do a dangerous job under difficult circumstances and we are committed to giving them all the support we can to do their job safely and effectively."
As stated by Police Minister Michelle Roberts:
"I'm pleased to have been able to deliver this really important election commitment during the course of this term of Government.
"I know that it will add significantly to the amenity and the safety of communities throughout the South-West.
"I thank the Commissioner, the police, and the contractors for all of their hard work.
"The station is equipped with modern facilities including an emergency operations room, fully equipped to manage multi-agency incidents throughout the region.
"It is also strategically located to allow our traffic patrols ease of access to the Bussell Highway.
"For all their talk about the regions, the previous Liberal National Government underfunded the police and under-resourced the regions.
"We have a real commitment to community safety across all of Western Australia and that includes our regions."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray:
"It's great to be able to officially deliver on this commitment I made to my constituents in Capel and the surrounding community.
"The Shire of Capel is a rapidly growing area with a growing need of extra services such as a permanent police presence based out of a local station.
"This station will result in faster response times in the area and act as a deterrent to those doing the wrong thing, which in turn makes Capel a more attractive place for people to live.
"I thank Minister Roberts and the Premier for their strong support of my commitment to the people of Capel."
