Tenders released for construction of new Clermont Police Station

A regional town’s cop shop was built in the 1930s, but a long overdue redevelopment is now on the cards nearly a century later.

A regional town’s cop shop was built in the 1930s, but a long overdue redevelopment is now on the cards nearly a hundred years later.

A regional town’s cop shop was built in the 1930s, but a long overdue redevelopment is now on the cards nearly a century later.

The Queensland government has released tenders for construction and maintenance for the ageing Clermont Police Station on Capella St.

The station was first built in 1878, but its current building was opened in 1939 after two teenagers set fire to the original in 1933.

In 2020, then-police minister Mark Ryan pledged $3.5m to its redevelopment as part of a sweeping expansion ahead of the state election.

Queensland Police Union vice president Shane Prior visited the station himself and said it was “immediately clear” the building was past its use-by date.

“The tender process is a major milestone in the redevelopment of Clermont station,” Mr Prior said.

“For many years this old weatherboard box was unsuitable for the number of officers working at Clermont and highly inefficient.

“The police working there, the people who needed to be processed there and the community attending the station all deserved better.

Michael Rodda and Queensland Police Union vice president Shane Prior at Clermont Police Station in 2020. Picture: Contributed

“It’s a credit to Police Minister Mark Ryan for listening to the QPU about the needs of frontline police and providing modern secure police facilities.”

Mr Prior said he understood a new brick station would be designed with input from the Queensland Police Union and frontline police to ensure sensible workflow areas, modern staff amenities, parking, and security systems.

He said police stations were “foundation components of communities” and having a new fit-for-purpose station would be something Clermont can be proud of. Tender applications close by January 17, 2024.