Mernda Needs a Police Station campaigners are “thrilled” the Coalition has committed to building a police station in the suburb if it wins the November 19 election.
Melbourne’s northern suburbs were the focus of Labor and the Coalition’s election campaign on Monday.
Premier Dennis Napthine was in Mernda to promise a re-elected Coalition government would spend $15 million to build a new police complex in the suburb.
The proposed station would provide a 24-hour operational response to incidents in the rapidly growing northern corridor.
Epping, Mill Park and Whittlesea police stations currently service the Mernda/Doreen area.
Whittlesea police station is operational for 16 hours each day, while Mill Park and Epping are 24-hour stations.
Acting Inspector Stuart Morris, who is based at Mill Park police station, said it usually took response vehicles about 10 minutes to reach an incident site in Mernda. In heavy traffic, it could take about half an hour.
Liberal candidate for Yan Yean, Sam Ozturk, said a re-elected Coalition government would work with Victoria Police to identify a suitable site for the new station.
The funding promise matches Labor’s pledge of $15 million to build a police station.
Mernda Needs a Police Station campaign spokesman Tom Joseph said he was delighted at the Coalition’s announcement, which came a year after his campaign for a police station began.
“I can sleep well tonight,” he said.
“From a campaign point of view, we’re very excited, but it’s long overdue. We’re happy it’s finally going to happen.”
He said the campaigners’ preferred spot would be near the CFA station in Schotters Road, “because it would be easily accessible for Mernda and Doreen.”
Mr Joseph said he hoped whichever party was elected, it would consult the community as well as Victoria Police about the new police station’s location.
The Coalition’s promise to build a new police station in Mernda follows Opposition leader Dan Andrews’ promise to build a new Hume Freeway interchange at O’Herns Road in Epping on Monday morning.
