Polair to be given new $35m state-of-art headquarters at Bankstown Airport
Polair, the Aviation Support Branch of NSW Police, will finally leave its “embarrassing and old” hangar for a $35 million state-of-art facility at Bankstown Airport.
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Polair, the powerful flying arm of NSW Police, is being given a brand new headquarters at Bankstown Airport, with Police Commission Mick Fuller saying it is timely given that the present one is “embarrassing”.
A $35 million state-of-the-art headquarters will replace the old hanger and facility for the NSW Police Force’s Aviation Support Branch by July 2020.
The new Polair headquarters will be built across 2.5ha and is funded by Sydney Metro Airports with First State Super also involved.
Sydney Metro Airports CEO Lee de Winton said the new headquarters for Polair will change the face of Bankstown Airport.
The new facility will house five PolAir choppers and three fixed wing aircraft.
“This is not being held in the usual hanger which frankly is embarrassing, old and no longer fit for its purpose,” said Commissioner Fuller, who also paid tribute the officers in Polair.
“Frankly (the present one) is embarrassing and we need more capabilities.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was investing $34.7 million this year towards upgrading the PolAir fleet.
“We are investing $34.7 million over the next 12 months for three state-of-the art helicopters,” Mr Perrottet told the Express.
“We have the best police force in the country and we want to make sure they have the best resources they need to make our community safe.”
The first sod was officially turned by Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott in the presence of Commissioner Fuller, Mr Perrottet, Blaxland federal Labor MP Jason Clare and East Hills state Liberal MP Wendy Lindsay.
Sydney Metro Airports chairman of the Peter Achterstraat and CEO Lee de Winton were also present at this groundbreaking ceremony, along with several representatives from the local organisations and police and emergency services.
Mr Elliott spoke of growing up in Milperra and watching the planes with excitement as a youngster.
He paid tribute to Mr Clare and Ms Lindsay for supporting the airport.
“This is a great win for the police community and I am delighted the local community has embraced the air wing at the airport,” Mr Elliott said.
“I grew up under the flight path of this airport not far from here, in Milperra, and there was always a great deal of excitement whenever there was a movement at Bankstown Airport.
“It highlighted how important a part of the community this airport has been.”
Sydney Metro Airports chief executive officer Lee de Winton said it was exciting times for the airport, whose ambitious masterplan for the south west precinct will create around 2000 new jobs.
“This is an exciting day for us and it is two years in the making,” said Ms de Winton, whose speech was spiced with humour.
“This will change the face of Bankstown Airport.”
“In an ongoing commitment to this we are pleased to start the construction of this new facility to support the service provided by Police Aviation Support Branch”.
She said Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown is the proud home to the majority of the region’s emergency air services.
Altis Property Partners will be handling the building of the new Polair facility, with its project manager Joseph Ajaka saying this is currently their biggest job.
“We handle all the development projects at this airport,” he said.
Mr Elliott welcomed the Sydney Metro Airports investment.
“It is vital our police work with the best technologies to keep our communities safe,” he said.
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