New Tweed Heads station ‘won’t solve staff issues’ in the New South Wales Police Force

A BRAND new $25 million police station has opened at Tweed Heads but cop sources say it will take more than a flashy new building to solve the area’s staffing issues.

Tweed/Byron LAC Superintendent Wayne Starling (centre) with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and other officers at the opening of the new Tweed Heads Police Station on Friday, September 8.

A BRAND new $25 million police station has opened at Tweed Heads but cop sources say it will take more than a flashy new building to solve the area’s staffing issues.

There are 30 of the 163 full-time equivalent staff on long-term sick or injury leave in the Tweed Byron Local Area Command.

The Police Association of NSW has called for a boost to the command’s policing numbers.

A local police source said there had been a significant flow-over of crime from the Gold Coast.

The officer said resources were nearing “breaking point”.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said there was work underway across the state to address staffing issues at a number of stations.

Meanwhile Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys said he was aware of the issue and the frustrations of those on leave not being replaced.

“Superintendent Wayne Starling is working (very) hard on what he can do around his staffing and putting police officers back on patrol,” he said.

“We will deliver some police officers up this way ... But what’s important is the flexibility.

“We need to understand, police stations don’t necessarily stop crime, they provide a vehicle for our police to do a whole range of things.”

He said planned changes would likely see fewer officers in stations, with greater mobility for all regions and between commands.

The new station is now officially open on Wharf Street and includes cells and the Local Court.

Tweed MP Geoff Provest said he was “elated” to see the facility come to fruition after years of lobbying.