A NEW 24-hour police station at Echuca will be positive for the area, says local Senior Sergeant Mick Carroll.
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The government announced funding for the new station in this week’s State Budget.
Senior Sergeant Carroll said he was “thrilled” the project had been supported.
“It will be a fantastic facility for us,” he said.
“It’s been needed for a long time.
“There will be better facilities, more modern equipment for staff and it will help us help the community.”
Senior Sergeant Carroll said the current station struggled to find room when new officers were hired.
“It’s really a battle to find space for lockers and work space,” he said.
Campaspe Shire mayor Ian Maddison said police needed new facilities.
“We’re delighted, very pleased,” he said.
“The old police station has been there since Adam was a boy, as a colloquialism would say.
“They’ve well and truly outgrown it.
“I’m looking forward to getting the building up to accommodate a very good and effective police force.”
The new premises will house specialist units and be designed to accommodate a growing police force.
It will also feature improved holding cells.
The project, based on Sturt Street, is scheduled for completion in mid to late 2016.
Cr Maddison said the region had fared well in Tuesday’s budget.
While a long-awaited new bridge was not included in budget documents, Cr Maddison said he had been reassured the money would soon be available.
“I’m certainly confident with the assurance I’ve been given that it will eventuate,” he said.
“I was happy with the budget.
“I was also pleased to see that Bendigo did well with funding for the new pool and Boort did well with the hospital, so the areas around us will benefit.”