Michaela Meade
Northern Victoria Liberal MP Wendy Lovell is calling for next week’s state budget to include funding to upgrade Whittlesea police station.
The station was built in 1960, and according to Ms Lovell has been in poor condition for many years.
“The current state of the Whittlesea Police Station is a disgrace and the fact that police members are forced to work in such conditions is unacceptable,” she said.
“[Yan Yean MP] Danielle Green and Labor have ignored the policing needs of the Whittlesea community for too long and the acting [police] minister needs to ensure the upcoming budget includes funding to deliver this essential upgrade.”
But Ms Green said the station has already undergone a number of upgrades.
The station’s interview room, bathrooms, kitchen and doors have been refurbished in the past three years, while there have also been security upgrades.
Ms Green said Ms Lovell’s statements were “ill informed”.
“Shepparton-based Wendy Lovell and her party in government cut funding to Victoria Police,” Ms Green said.
“In my adult life they have never delivered any police infrastructure to the Yan Yean electorate.
“We said we’d upgrade the Whittlesea police station and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
“In addition, 56 new police officers have been deployed in the Whittlesea Police Service area to keep the community safe.
“We continue to work with Victoria Police to help them deliver infrastructure they’ve identified as being a priority and will follow their guidance in ensuring local police have the resources they need to protect and serve Victorian communities.”
Whittlesea resident Shane Lepp said the station needed a major upgrade.
He said the community was concerned that the station was too small, with no private room for sensitive conversations, and that it could have asbestos.
“The standard there is not very good. The reality is they’ve done nothing,” he said.
