Station rises from ruins

Chelsea Province MP Matt Viney, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mick Williams, Cranbourne Senior Sergeant Trevor Teer, Police Minister Tim Holding, Cranbourne MP Jude Perera, Narre

By Alison Noonan
Construction has begun on the new Cranbourne Police Complex, just a week after the old Sladen Street station was demolished.
Police Minister Tim Holding paid a visit to the vacant block last Thursday to help workers clear the last of the demolition rubble and officially mark the start of new building works.
Joined by local police and state members, Mr Holding turned the first sod at the site of Cranbourne’s new $6.7 million, 24hour police complex.
The station will be home to a uniform branch, criminal investigation unit and proactive programs unit, uniting the various departments for the first time in Cranbourne’s history, he said.
“It is vital that Victoria’s modern police force has the very best facilities and resources.
“This new station will be a far cry from the old one, which was unsuitable for modern policing requirements.
“The new Cranbourne police station will serve this community for many years to come,” he said.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera confirmed Cranbourne would also receive extra police in 2006.
“I have been advised by Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon that the station will have an extra 12 uniform police, extra sergeants and criminal investigation detectives by next year.
“We are now working in relation to extra vehicles for Cranbourne as well,” he said.
Cranbourne Senior Sergeant Trevor Teer said it was great to see construction of the new station finally under way.
“It’s good to be on the way.
“The people of Cranbourne deserve a new station,” he said.