North Queensland Police Academy moving to 1300 Smiles Stadium

The mega police hub replacing 1300SMILES stadium just got more mega after Premier Palaszczuk announced a new police academy will be included in the hub.

A $30 million plan to convert the former home of rugby league in North Queensland into a “state-of-the-art” police precinct to cater to the growing city has been unveiled. 1300SMILES stadium will be demolished to make way for the development.

For decades footy boots beat across the hallowed grounds of the old Dairy Farmers Stadium, and now a different type of training will be taking place with the North Queensland Police Academy to move in.

The old 1300SMILES Stadium – previously known as Dairy Farmers – is currently being demolished to make way for a $30 million police facility to replace the 1984-built Kirwan Police Station.

The facility will also become a hub for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, a ‘Regional Deployment Centre’ and a State Emergency Services storage facility with options for future Regional Fire Communications Centre.

On Friday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will announce the Townsville Police Academy will also be relocated to the site.

“Recently we saw one of the biggest ever intakes of recruits to the Townsville Academy to undergo their comprehensive six-month training course,” Ms Palaszczuk.

“61 new recruits from all walks of life, aged 18 to 53 signed up to the academy, where they’ll undergo rigorous training with an acute emphasis on domestic and family violence.”

Townsville police academy will move to the former 1300SMILES site and new emergency services hub. Picture: Supplied

READ THE FULL STORY: Townsville set to get 150 new police officers in the next three years

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland is in the middle of the biggest investment in policing in more than three decades.

Acting Police Minister Mark Furner said the design works would ensure the facilities would be first class.

The North Queensland Cowboys bring the trophy home to 1300SMILES Stadium after their 2015 grand final win. For many supports, they hadn’t slept through the night and they weren’t letting daylight stop the party. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“The existing police academy in Townsville has done a great job of preparing new recruits for more than 25 years,” Mr Furner said.

“We have excellent, modern training facilities for police in Brisbane, and now is the time for North Queensland to be equipped with similar cutting-edge training capabilities.

“We are making the biggest investment in police personnel in more than three decades and it is only fitting we provide police with the best possible training facilities.”

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the announcement is a win for North Queensland, and would ensure community safety remains at the forefront for years to come.

Design of what the new precinct at the former 1300 SMILES stadium is expected to look like. Picture: Supplied

“Not only will this see more of our best and brightest progress through a state-of-the-art training facility right here in Townsville, but I expect the construction process will lead to more good jobs for North Queenslanders,” Mr Harper said.

While the politicians have high hopes for the police development, the location has been controversial for many locals who don’t want to see the iconic stadium demolished and want more action on youth crime, not new buildings.

(2020) Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto joined with KAP hopefuls outside Townsville port to drive home the message that North Queensland assets including Townsville Port and 1300SMILES Stadium are not for sale. The premier has discussed selling off parts of the stadium’s land not needed by police. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

All structures will be demolished, including the main entrance, grandstands, main field and old Cowboys facilities.

The stadium was chosen as the best site for the police hub after a $500,000 feasibility study in 2021.

Originally published as North Queensland Police Academy moving to 1300 Smiles Stadium