By Marcus Uhe
Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Services Brad Battin has hit-out at the State Government after last week’s state budget failed to deliver any additional funding for the promised Police Station in Clyde North that is likely to miss its expected completion date.
A “purpose-built, 24-hour” police station worth $34 million was pledged by the Labor Government ahead of the 2018 state election, expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
With $34 million allocated for construction of the station as part of the Community Safety Statement 2019-20, a government spokesperson said last week that land acquisition for the station is “underway” and expected to be completed before the end of the year.
But with the project appearing unlikely to meet its expected deadline, the Member for Gembrook described the promise as “hallow”.
“Labor promised 4000 ICU beds – never delivered, Clyde North Police Station – never delivered, Clyde North Fire Station- never delivered – All election promises, none delivered, you can’t trust the Andrews Labor Government to deliver for the South East,” Mr Battin said.
“Casey Cardinia residents are sick of Labor giving empty election promises. When will Labor stop spinning and start delivering?”
Minister Battin made a $5.7 million promise for a fire station to be built in Clyde North in 2017, had the Liberals secured Government in 2018, which was not matched by the Labor party.
Land was acquired for the site at the corner of Thompson Road and Matterhorn Drive in April 2021 with an expected completion date of “mid to late 2023 pending external factors.”
However a new completion date for the station, among 16 other projects listed in the Fire Rescue Victoria Capital Upgrades Program, has a revised completion date of quarter four, 2025-26, according to the budget.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said updates regarding emergency services in Clyde are on the way.
“In the essential services space we have Fire and Ambulance stations being built, soon to announce the location of our 24-hour police station and also Clyde CFA and Clyde SES Stations,” Ms Crugnale said.
“I have fought and advocated hard for projects, programs, infrastructure, jobs, schools, level crossings, health and mental health services, social supports, Orange Doors, youth centres, parks and so much more right across the Bass electorate.”
Of the 3135 new police officers deployed since 2016, 225 new police offices have been allocated to the Dandenong Division of Police, which encompasses Clyde North, including 33 family violence specialist police.
”The Opposition are not particularly well placed to offer advice on police matters – during their time in government they cut $100 million from the police budget and sacked 350 police staff,” a government spokesperson said.
