$17 MILLION BOOST TO HUNTER VALLEY POLICING

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott today joined senior police and Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin to officially open the new Cessnock Police Station – a $17 million injection into the policing capabilities in the Hunter.
The purpose-built Cessnock Police Station is the result of a 2018 government commitment to upgrade the police facility to support the community of the Hunter Valley. The redevelopment is part of the $107 million commitment to the Multipurpose Police Station Program.
Minister Elliott said the substantial investment into regional infrastructure will provide a major boost to the police resources in the Hunter Valley Police District.
“This Government continues to deliver on its election commitment to invest in a police station infrastructure program to support the vital work of our police women and men across this state,” he said.
Mr Martin said the facility also provided extra space and resources needed to support the growing number of police allocated to the region.
“I hope this town can be proud to call this new policing facility its own – it will protect all, both the community and the officers that serve it,” Deputy Commissioner Webb said.
“This is a major investment into the crime fighting capabilities in the Hunter Valley. It gives the police in this command the support they need to drive down crime and keep the community safe,” she said.
Early work construction of the Cessnock Police Station began in November 2019 with the station becoming fully operational on 8 March 2021.
The new facility was built with sensitivity to its local surrounds at the site of the existing police station in order to retain the small heritage cottage on the site and to integrate it with the adjoining Local Court House.
Hunter Valley Police District Commander, Superintendent Tracy Chapman, said the facility will support police officers as they serve the community.
“One of the major functional upgrades is a new public entry via Cumberland Street,” Supt Chapman said.
“A key feature of the new station is an artwork by a local Indigenous artist, John Robinson, specially commissioned as a focus for the foyer area.
“This new station also has a state-of-the-art charging facility with a custody manager suite and three docks and holding cells, and it provides secure prisoner transfer to the adjoining Court House.
“It is staffed and operates 24 hours, seven days a week,” she said.
Early work construction of the Cessnock Police Station began in November 2019 with the station becoming fully-operational on 8 March 2021.