By Laura Michell
Community members fear poor working conditions at Whittlesea police station are being overlooked, with the state government failing to commit to upgrading the ageing station.
Whittlesea residents formed a community action group about three years ago and began calling for improvements to the 1960s-built station. They say little work has been done to the station since it opened.
The group has ramped up its campaign for a station upgrade, urging the state government to provide funding for the project in the May budget.
Community group member and Whittlesea Pastor, Shane Lepp, said the group was concerned about the conditions police officers are being asked to work in.
“The entry to the station is very small and there is no privacy at all, there is no interview room for police,” he said.
“Police there are working in very cramped conditions and we understand there is asbestos in the building … the computer system and phone systems are not up-to-date.”
Star Weekly has been told the station also has no proper disability access and no separate male, female or disabled toilets, while timber in the windows and facia is rotting.
Prior to the 2018 state election, the Liberal Party pledged a $2 million upgrade to the station if elected.
Yan Yean MP Danielle Green has previously raised concerns about the condition of the station and has vowed to continue fighting for an upgrade, but to date, the government has yet to commit to improving the station.
Mr Lepp said residents felt Whittlesea was being overlooked.
Northern Victoria Liberal MP Wendy Lovell raised the community group’s concerns in state Parliament late last month.
“The Andrews Labor Government and minister Lisa Neville should be ashamed of the disgraceful conditions,” she said.
A government spokesperson said: “We will 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.”
