Construction company Hutchinson Builders has won the tender to demolish and completely rebuild Inverell's outdated 24-hour police station.
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Around $9 million of state government funding will be injected into the project, with local tradespeople and businesses set to benefit.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall gathered outside of the station yesterday with Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott to unveil the building design plans.
Built in the 1940s to house around 14 police officers, the station now boasts around 50 staff on a daily basis. Having outgrown the building officers have been lacking space and resources for years. Minister Elliot said, with drought and fires impacting Inverell, it was important to make sure government infrastructure investment remained consistent, predictable and generous.
"We want to make sure not only do we have officers on the beat, but resources and infrastructure they need to do their job professionally.
"The tender has been won by construction company Huchinson. They'll start work within the next couple of months. I'd say within the next 18 months I'll be back to help open the new facility."
Mr Marshall, who has been a driver behind securing these funds, said having this station replaced after 60 years of service was important, not just for police but the continuing protection of the community.
The new state-of-the-art station will house up to 75 officers and see detectives, rural crime squad, highway patrol, general duties, forensics and the dog squad in the same building for the first time. "The biggest addition is space. It'll have more interview rooms, at the moment they only have one and an increased number of cells. There will be a much larger evidence holding facility and the station will be equip with the latest technology."
A muster area will potentially be the most used space where all officer will be able to fit in the one room to discuss operations and duties each morning.
The old motor registry building in Campbell Street will temporarily transform in a police station until the new building is ready.
"They're only anticipated to be in the temporary location for around 12-14 months. Officers will move in late January, early February next year which is the same time demolition work will begin."
Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon said the project not only provided a great space for officers but will also boost the economy.
"As a drought community we're looking for every bit of stimulus we can and combined with the $60 million hospital redevelopment, this will be great for our tradespeople and businesses."