Plans for new Scarborough police station

9/5/95

The State Government's multi-million dollar commitment to improving police facilities in Western Australia is right on track with plans for a new development in Scarborough.

Police Minister Bob Wiese today revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art police station to be constructed over the next 12 months.

The Minister said the $1.7 million facility would replace the existing station on Scarborough Beach Road and was designed using the new WA police building code, which had been nominated for national awards.

Funding for the new station was part of the State Government's $15 million allocation in the 1994-95 budget for police capital works programs, most of which would be used to build new or upgrade existing police stations.

"It has been accepted for some time by the WA Police Service that there is an urgent need to improve and expand the facilities in Scarborough to enable officers to operate to their maximum efficiency," Mr Wiese said.

"This Government has made a major commitment to providing better facilities for working police officers and the Scarborough development is another positive example of that pledge."

Local member for Scarborough George Strickland welcomed the construction of the new station which was scheduled to commence in July 1995 and was expected to be completed and operational by March 1996.

Mr Wiese said the previous government had neglected any form of development or even planning to increase facilities in Scarborough to keep abreast of the high rate of population growth in the area.

"The existing station is 40 years old and was originally designed to house only three police officers," he said.

"Currently, 18 officers share the premises which are hopelessly inadequate to cope with present police demands.

"Police officers work in highly dangerous and stressful conditions and by improving the standard of accommodation some of the pressure experienced by operation police will be eased."

The new Scarborough police station would cater for additional general duties and CIB staff, as well as providing for a community police officer.

The Minister said the striking architectural features of the building would complement the changing face of the Scarborough region.

He said the building was environmentally friendly with rooms and windows being positioned with an emphasis on solar heating and lighting and cooling by the prevailing winds.

It was the first time a two-storey option had been adopted using the new WA police building code and with a 50-year lifespan, the building was designed to expand with future staff increases.

Media contact:  Mark Thompson 222 9595