Page 1517 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 7 May 2008
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MR CORBELL: Thank you, Mr Speaker. This investment of $31 million includes, of course, the new police station at Belconnen; a new forensic medical centre to replace the ageing and dilapidated facility at Kingston; and a major rollout of CCTV coverage across the city. There is $17.7 million over four years for the construction and maintenance of a new police station at Belconnen. The government funded in last year’s budget a feasibility study into the new station.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR CORBELL: It found that a new state-of-the-art facility would provide a police precinct on Canberra’s north side which would better serve the needs of our local police force.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR CORBELL: The new Belconnen police station will be located adjacent to ACT Policing’s headquarters, the Winchester—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR CORBELL: No wonder you guys have got no chance of being in government. Fair dinkum! If the people of Canberra could see you guys now, it would be all over. The new police station, adjacent to the new Winchester Police Centre—
Mr Stefaniak: The one at Belconnen, mate.
MR CORBELL: will provide for a new station and support the headquarters facility. Construction is expected to commence in May 2009 and be complete by August 2010. One hundred police and other staff will be based in the new facility and it will feature facilities such as a public access foyer and counter, holding cells and incident rooms, a welfare counselling and victim of crime room, a muster room, a breath analysis area and secure staff and visitor car parking. It replaces, of course, the current Belconnen police station, which is over 30 years old and beyond the point of refurbishment. That station is overcrowded and completely inadequate.
Of course, there is more on the community safety investment; in particular, $8 million over four years to roll out a major expansion of the CCTV network—indeed, an initiative that even those opposite have to concede was a good idea.
Mrs Burke: How many times have you announced this?
MR SPEAKER: I warn you, Mrs Burke.
Mrs Dunne interjecting—
Mr Pratt interjecting—
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