Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell has renewed calls for an upgrade of the Whittlesea Police Station, describing the working conditions for members at the station as “disgraceful.”

In State Parliament, Ms Lovell sought a commitment to provide funding in the 2020-21 Victorian Budget to complete an upgrade of the station.

Ms Lovell spoke in an adjournment debate, directing comments to Lisa Neville, the Minister for Emergency Services.

Ms Lovell first raised the need for a refurbishment at the police station in 2017.

Prior to the 2018 State Election, the Liberal National Coalition made a commitment to provide $2 million to upgrade the station.

“Prior to the election the Member for Yan Yean (Danille Green) promised an upgrade to the station but as yet no work has commenced and no funding has been committed, which continues to raise concern in the local community,” Ms Lovell said.

“The Whittlesea Police Station is no longer fit for purpose as it is too small to properly house the current staff, has no proper disability access, no facilities to interview suspects and no separate male, female or disabled toilets.

“Worryingly, asbestos is present in walls and ceiling throughout the station and the timber is rotting around the windows and facia,” Ms Lovell said.

Ms Lovell acknowledged the strong advocacy of the
Whittlesea Police Community Action Group and the wider Whittlesea community for their local police.

“The Andrews Labor Government and Minister, Lisa Neville, should be ashamed of the disgraceful conditions that the hard-working police at Whittlesea are forced to work in,” Ms Lovell said.

“Prior to the last State Election the now-silent Labor Member for Yan Yean promised the station would receive an upgrade yet nothing has been done.

“The Whittlesea Police Station is no longer fit-for-purpose and I call on the Minister to ensure the inclusion of funding in the upcoming State budget to complete an upgrade at the station,” Ms Lovell said.