New policing hub set to begin on Gold Coast with $2.4m start

THE State Government will begin work on a new policing hub on the Gold Coast as speculation continues over the bikie-busting RAP unit.

THE State Government is to start work on a new policing hub at Arundel but speculation continues about the future of the bikie-busting RAP unit.

As the State Budget was brought down yesterday, Police Minister Mark Ryan announced a $2.4 million start to construction on the $11.5 million project, which was listed as a key item in Government investment in policing.

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Queensland Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services Mark Ryan (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Other key expenditure was $15.7 million on improving the state’s counter terrorism efforts including 85 new specialist officers to be deployed across Queensland.

But Opposition concerns remain for the future of the Rapid Action Patrol squad, which played a key role in targeting criminal bikie gangs.

The Government is to outlay $5.4 million to replace eight water police boats.

Almost $6 million across the next three years will be spent providing officers with mobile tablet devices giving them more mobility.

RAP police at work on Gold Coast.

“We have more police personnel than ever before. They are better qualified, better trained and better equipped than ever before,” Mr Ryan said.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor supported the announcement of work on the new Arundel hub in his electorate but believes more police were needed.

“The land was bought late last year so hopefully this funding means construction can start as soon as possible,” Mr O’Connor said.

Rapid Action Force Police team during a raid at a unit in Nerang, Gold Coast.

“In the Southport division we’re seeing under a hundred officers dealing with over 20,000 calls for service over less than a year.

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“The hub is essentially in the centre of the Gold Coast, which should mean quicker responses – and having it as a large evidence storage facility might even free up much needed space at existing stations.

“With the review into the Rapid Action Patrol squad still a secret, I have concerns they might not even make it to the Arundel hub if they are disbanded.”