By Matthew Sims
The State Government has rejected a claim from Berwick MP Brad Battin that the Clyde North police station project was cut from the 2023-24 State Budget.
Planned to be located on the corner of Newgrange Boulevard and Matterhorn Drive, the new station would be open for 24 hours and join other 24-hour police stations at Endeavour Hills, Cranbourne and Narre Warren.
In a November 2018 media release, the State Government pledged $34 million, with the project due for completion in 2022.
According to the statement, the new station would accommodate uniform police officers as well as include interview rooms, conference rooms, discrete public consultation facilities and a high-level of security.
An update from Bass MP Jordan Crugnale in October 2022 said construction on the station was planned to commence in mid-2023, with the new facility planned to open in late 2025.
However, there has been no update on the progress of construction as of yet.
A State Government spokesperson said funding for new station was outlined as part of a $68 million investment for critical infrastructure projects in the 2019-20 state budget.
“Clyde North is well serviced by existing police resources in the area, including the 24-hour Cranbourne Police Station,” the spokesperson said.
“The Victorian Budget 2022-23 had funding for an additional 502 police and 50 Protective Service Officers (PSOs) over the next two years to meet the growing needs of the state, bringing more than 3600 new police officers to our streets.
“As a part of this commitment, the Dandenong Division which includes the Clyde North area has received an additional 225 sworn police since 2016.”
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday 30 May, Mr Battin said he believed the State Government had not specified the project explicitly in the budget because they had “run out of money”.
“The only thing we have seen in Clyde North since it was promised to be delivered and open by 2022 is a sign that went up in 2022 with a new date of 2025,” he said.
“I almost guarantee I will get to the next election and the only thing I will see change is that sticker, and it will no longer be 2025, it will be after the next election, because that money has been removed from the budget.”
There was a mixed response from a number of Clyde residents on Facebook, with some saying it was a much-needed project while others called for other infrastructure such as housing and cellular towers to be prioritised.
In a Facebook comment, Helen said it was “absolutely crucial” for the Clyde and Clyde North community to be protected by an additional police station.
“The majority of our residences only rely on the Cranbourne station, which can be accessed from 000,” she said.
“However, each station is critical to each individual location, especially with our rapid growth through the Casey corridor.
“An immediate police station is imperative.”
In a Facebook comment, Sammy-Jo Quirk said she has limited phone connection from her house.
“I think we need cellular towers more than a police station,” she said.
