By DANIELLE GALVIN
A PROMISED 24-hour police station in Emerald is in jeopardy, with residents fearing they have lost their fight for improved community safety.
Emerald resident Peter Nodin, who is one of a number of locals who have fought for more than a decade for a heightened police presence in the hills, said he expected that the new police station would be home to just five officers instead of the 31 promised.
Mr Nodin said that would make it impossible for the police to have a 24-hour presence in the north of the shire.
“The public were quite pleased with the idea of a new station and they were all excited about extra police,” he said.
“But now that word has gotten out that they might not have more police, people are starting to call it ‘that monstrosity on the hill’ … they’ve gone from being bright and cheerful, to thinking it was a waste of money.
In August 2012, the site for the multi-million dollar police station was revealed after a budget announcement to fund the project in May.
Mr Nodin said it had been a long campaign for more police in the hills to deal with hoons and vandals.
He said while the 24-hour police station might have always been a little far-fetched, it would have been a great outcome for the community to have more police in town.
“This is extremely disappointing,” he said.
“People that I am talking to are of the same opinion – that this may have been a waste of money.”
Cardinia Inspector Robert Wallace said there was no final decision on how many police officers would be based in Emerald.
“We are awaiting the final word,” he said.
“We put in our bid, but how Victoria Police place those members is up to the Chief Commissioner.”
In May 2012, then Cardinia Local Area Commander, Inspector John Thexton, said the new 24/7 station would enhance Emerald police’s ability to deal with hoon driving, general road safety, and family violence incidents.
“The additional resources accommodated in the new station will extend this local coverage to 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said at the time.
Insp Wallace said the new station was coming along well and it was nearing completion.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said the station’s opening was yet to be confirmed.
“Placements are an operational decision for Victoria Police, however I will be campaigning Chief Commissioner Ken Lay for a 24-hour police presence in Emerald,” he said.
In a 2010 Coalition announcement, the 24-hour station was promised with Mr Battin claiming that increased police numbers would help ease concerns about community safety in the area.
“Emerald residents will be reassured by our commitment and our plan to recruit 1700 extra police, and I know how much Emerald and Gembrook need extra resources,” Mr Battin said.
