Police Minister Mark Ryan confirms commitment to QPS Kirwan Police Complex
The Police Minister toured the site of the former 1300Smiles football stadium, which he said will be “one of the largest construction projects in QPS history.”
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The tender for the $100m Kirwan Police Complex’s first stage is expected to be announced within weeks, and construction should begin in a month.
Police Minister Mark Ryan confirmed progression of the tendering process while visiting the site with senior police officials and local state politicians, which will be built on 5.6 hectares covering the former 1300Smiles football stadium.
“It’s one of the largest construction projects in QPS history,” Mr Ryan said.
“It will be the biggest QPS facility here in North Queensland.
“It’s needed because of the extra police which are coming to the north region and Townsville, particularly we need extra accommodation to accommodate those additional officers.”
The first stage is expected to be completed in 2025, and will include the new Kirwan police station, a new Policelink call centre of 50 personnel, a domestic and family violence persons unit, and specialist units such as the tactical crime squad.
Mr Ryan said there will be a second stage which will involve the relocation of the North Queensland Police Academy and the Townsville Dog Squad.
He said the new complex would be state-of-the-art and that it had been an election promise lobbied for by the three local State MPs Scott Stewart, Les Walker and Aaron Harper.
The Policelink call centre will be the first one built outside of South East Queensland.
Northern District’s Assistant Commissioner Chris Hodgman said the complex could fit 200 staff among different units that could collaborate their information personally, without having to rely on phone calls and emails.
“That’s an amazing workforce to be able to manage crime and I consider from a central location,” he said.
“Downstairs will be the Kirwan police facility, 85 officers, but you know, growth’s coming,” he said.
He said a locally based Policelink call centre would also create employment opportunities and develop new skills, but would also have operational advantages for the northern district.
“It’s really interesting because we’re 1400km north and when you go to Cairns you’re 1800km north, and same out at Mount Isa, you’re a long way away,” he said.
“Interpreting calls can be difficult for some callers so to have local people talking to local people I think will provide benefit.”
Thuringowa State MP Aaron Harper said it required “relentless advocacy” to ensure such a facility could be committed to Townsville, but that increasing capacity for services would improve emergency service operations.
Mr Harper said the second stage of the project would include adding the police academy, which would give recruits better access to operations.
“It’s a huge deal, if you look at where the academy is now, it was an old Cootharinga special children’s home 30 to 40 years ago, so it’s absolutely done its time,” he said.
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