Coffs Harbour police station closed due to burst water pipe flooding

After a chaotic morning with the Coffs Harbour police station taped off, and prosecutors unable to access court documents, the station is back in business. See what went wrong

The Coffs Harbour police station taped off on Wednesday morning, February 8. Picture: Janine Watson

A police prosecutor told Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday morning that the police station next door is “condemned”.

Kylie Banks was arguing for a case to be adjourned as she couldn’t access documents within the station due to burst water pipes.

Water is threatening the electrical system in the building on Beryl Street she said.

“The building is condemned.”

She said it would be closed for the rest of the week and there was no indication as to when it would re-open.

A mobile command centre set up on Wednesday morning, February 8. Picture: Janine Watson.

“At this stage nobody can tell us.”

Ms Banks apologised to the magistrate for police officer’s “lack of appropriate court attire” who were in court to give evidence on a range of matters.

A mobile command centre was been set up outside the station to deal with routine matters.

By the afternoon the station was reopened with a NSW Police Force spokesperson responding to a request for information with the following statement.

“About 7.45am today, maintenance works were being undertaken at Coffs Harbour Police Station when a water pipe ruptured, causing flooding to parts of the building.

“Due to safety concerns, the station was temporarily evacuated while the situation was assessed; however, the station has fully reopened.”