Construction underway on the new police station in Murdoch

13/1/98

The new Murdoch Police Station is expected to be open by June, with construction now well under way.

Inspecting work on the new $1.9 million station today, Works Minister Mike Board said construction was on budget and on time.

The concrete floor slab and inground services had been laid, structural steel columns and all of the steel roof framing had been erected and both the internal brick work and face limestone blockwork had started.

Mr Board said the new station would benefit all residents in the southern suburbs.

"It's great to see that a lot of hard work over several years is now coming to fruition," he said.

"The new station is essential to helping working police officers deliver the level of services which the community requires.

"It really is an investment in the community's fight against crime."

Mr Day said the State Government was committed to assisting the Western Australian Police Service in the fight against crime.

He said during the last five years the State Government had increased the number of operational police by 800 and boosted the police budget by almost $160 million, from $240 million to almost $400 million.

"Under the Delta Program - which is the most extensive review of any police organisation in Australia - the WA Police Service is more integrated, flexible and better equipped to cater for the safety and security of local communities like Murdoch," the Minister said.

Mr Board said the new Murdoch station was designed to meet the needs of the local area which had grown significantly during the past 10 years.

"The Department of Contract and Management Services has worked with the WA Police Service and private consultants to design the new Murdoch station based on the needs of the local community," he said.

"CAMS will now manage the construction process to ensure the building work is carried out efficiently and effectively."

The new single-storey complex, which is on the east side Murdoch Drive just south of St John of God Hospital, was designed by architects Forbes and Fitzhardinge Woodland. It will be built of limestone face brickwork with a coloured metal roof.

It will have public interview rooms and specific areas for general duties officers, detectives, staff amenities and a detention area.

Construction work is being undertaken by Hawk Developments.

Mr Board said public art would also feature prominently at the new complex, as part of the Per Cent for Art Scheme which is managed by CAMS.

Fremantle artist Jenny Dawson has been commissioned to design panels of hand crafted ceramic tiles, which will be set into the floor of the public foyer and two framed photographs, which will be displayed in the public interview rooms.

The designs will be based on the local district flora.

Media contact: Peter Harris, Minister Board's office (08) 9222 9211

Mark Thompson, Minister Day's office (08) 9322 2311