Former Police Minister's Father Under Investigation Over Fatal Hit And Run Near Maitland

BY IAN CROUCH

The father of former Police Minister, Troy Grant has been charged with drink driving and is under investigation over a fatal hit and run near Maitland.

News Limited reports Ken Grant was pulled over following a short low-speed pursuit at Lorn on Saturday night.

It's alleged the 72-year-old was seen driving erratically and returned a blood alcohol reading of point 108.

He's been charged with mid-range drink driving and is also being questioned over the death of a 62-year-old man who was knocked down and killed at nearby Bolwarra a short time earlier.

New Police Station Promised For Lemon Tree Passage

BY IAN  CROUCH

The community of Lemon Tree Passage is in line for a brand new police station thanks to a commitment made by the state government this morning.

$1.5 million will be spent on the new facility which will replace the current station which operates out of leased premises in Cook Road.

However, Police Minister, Troy Grant says there's no timeline yet on when the new station will be built.

"A location is yet to be determined. A period of consultation with the community and local council will occur to make sure they pick the best site to meet the local needs as well as ongoing future police operational response needs. The District Commander, Superintendent Jackson, will lead the project with the properties branch and the local community work with the council. So together, they'll get on with it and develop this new police station as soon as possible," he said.

 

Police Minister Troy Grant joins Liberal candidate for Port Stephens Jaime Abbott  and local police for this monring's announcement. Picture: Jamie Abbott

New Police Station for Cessnock

BY TYLER FARDELL

Cessnock Police Station is set for a major upgrade, in a welcome announcement for staff, with the current facility severely outdated.

$13.5 million has been committed by the state government to build the new state of the art facility, which could accommodate more police officers in the future.

NSW Police Minister Troy Grant made the trip to Cessnock to unveil the funding, saying the Station will be built with modern technologies.

"It will be built, fit for purpose, not for today but for the future," he said, "it will have capacity for additional police, additional functions and importantly it will be built to modern standards to house the technology police need to do their job day in and day out."

Cessnock Chief Police officer, Dave Robinson said the upgrade will help the police continue their effective work.

"Cessnock became part of the Hunter Valley Police District on the 14th January this year," he explained.

"Since that time we've made big inroads into the amphetamines being trafficked into the streets of Cessnock; inroads for unregistered bikes being driven on the streets and the streets are getting cleaned up thanks to the great work of our officers," Mr Robinson said.

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr was involved in securing the money and said he's glad to see the government supporting the local community and police force.

"I want to thank the Minister for the announcement and acknowledge... there are a number of issues that are well above politics and policing is one of them," he said, "this will undoubtedly make the community even safer than it already is."

With the finance taken care of, final planning and development applications are set to go ahead now.

Police Minister Troy Grant meets with Clayton Barr MP and local officers. Image: 2NM.