STANDING in front of the heritage building that is Singleton's police station Country Labor candidate for Upper Hunter Melanie Dagg said NSW Labor would commit $17 million to building a brand new facility for the town.
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"Singleton needs a brand new facility that is fit for purpose and we promise to deliver it in the first term of our government," she said.
As to the new location she said the Police Commissioner, the Local Superintendent and the community would be fully consulted on a suitable site.
Joining her was NSW Police Association, executive Ian Allwood who said the existing station was located in a beautiful heritage building but it was no longer safe for users and the police.
"The Hunter Valley is a fast growing community and Singleton needs this critical piece of infrastructure to service the community," he said.
"There is inadequate interviewing facilities in the current station and that needs to be addressed."
Jenny Aitchison, Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, also attended the announcement saying for anyone who went to the police station to report an incident, in particular a sexual assault, the lack of proper interview faculties was a serious concern.
Five days out from the closely fought NSW state election on March 23, Ms Dagg said that Labor leader Michael Daley had from the outset declared the importance of delivering for regional NSW, and how Labor will begin a new partnership between the city and the bush.
"This new police station is way overdue. Labor will prioritise community safety and the support of front line police officers in our regions. We will never squander billions on vanity stadium projects in Sydney like the Liberals and Nationals," said Ms Dagg.
"It's our hard earned taxpayer money, and Labor thinks the Singleton community should get the essential infrastructure and services that we pay for and that we deserve," she said.
Ms Dagg said she would also work with the Police Commissioner to bring a continuous policing presence to Singleton, with extra numbers of police being equipped to patrol and work in the area.
The current Singleton Police Station, which currently has officers on duty 9am to 5pm, is housed in a heritage building which is ill-equipped for modern policing, she said.
There are discussions to be had with the Office of Environment & Heritage about the future of the old building, but Labor believes the focus should be on delivering a new purpose-built facility.
The constraints of the current station can also mean resources are expended transporting offenders to nearby stations.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
