NSW Labor has promised to invest in a new Police station for Singleton if successful at Saturday's election.
The current station is located in a heritage building the party says is ill-equipped for modern policing.
The $17 million dollar commitment would be put towards delivering a new purpose-built facility and includes funding for a continuous police presence in the area.
Country Labor Candidate for the Upper Hunter, Melanie Dagg, said the existing station is a Workplace Health and Safety risk for officers who are already stretched.
"This is something that the community has been calling out for for a long time, it's something that the Police Association has been calling for as well," said Ms Dagg.
"We understand that the current facility, while it's a beautiful building, is just not fit for purpose,
What we want to do is provide a brand new facility for them, and this also builds on our previous announcement that we will provide extra police officers for the area too."
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison joined Ms Dagg for the announcement, highlighting the need for private interview rooms the current station lacks.
"When we have victims of domestic, family or sexual violence we need to be able to ensure they can be interviewed in a space which is safe for them and also safe for those interviewing them."
An appropriate site for the new building will be determined through consultation with the Police Commissioner, the local Superintendent and the community, and discussions will be held with the Office of Environment and Heritage to decide the future of the existing building.
Labor says planning for the new station will begin immediately if the party is elected.
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| Image: Singleton Argus |
