Kirwan police academy and station to progress to stage two development

The first stage of the new state-of-the-art police facility in NQ is inching closer to completion, but an end date is still unknown. Here’s what we know.

New concept designs for the new Townsville Police Academy, co-located with new Kirwan police station and new Townsville PoliceLink. Picture: Supplied

The first stage of the new state-of-the-art Kirwan Police Hub is inching closer to completion, but an end date is still unknown.

The hub, which will include the new Kirwan Police Station and Police Academy, was first announced in 2020 by the then-Labor government.

While the LNP has been critical of the project going over budget, it has backed the redevelopment with Police Minister Dan Purdie confirming earlier this year that the project would go ahead.

He said the government had no plans to take the funding form Townsville, and the project would be delivered.

New concept designs for the new Townsville Police Academy, co-located with new Kirwan police station and new Townsville PoliceLink. Picture: Supplied

Speaking in Townsville on Tuesday, Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said he could not confirm exactly when stage one would be completed but assured the project was moving forward.

“We’ve got the work happening now and I’m pleased to say we’re already doing the planning for stage two,” he said.

“Stage two planning is well underway and the funding there and we’re just working out exactly what that’ll look like as we move forward.”

Last year, former Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the investment into education facilities would play a significant role in recruiting and training the next generation of officers.

New concept designs for the new Townsville Police Academy, co-located with new Kirwan police station and new Townsville PoliceLink. Picture: Supplied

“Stage two will include the relocation of the North Queensland Police Academy and the Townsville Dog Squad and will complement the Stage One capabilities such as Youth Co-Responder Team, the Tactical Crime Squad and the Rapid Action Patrol Group.”

Kirwan Police Station was first built in 1984 and was located on the same block as the Kirwan Fire Station which received a $5m upgrade in 2020.

The building on Thuringowa drive was in drastic need of upgrades due to its age and its size, as it wasn’t able to meet the needs of the growing police force in the area.

The new facility will focus on recruit education, featuring modern infrastructure designed for operational and scenario-based training.

Originally published as Kirwan police academy and station to progress to stage two development