NT Police Union calls for 11 remote stations to be torn down

Prisoners are falling through the floor of dilapidated remote NT Police stations left to rust and rot for 15 years

PRISONERS are falling through the floor of dilapidated remote police stations left to rust and rot for 15 years.

NT Police Association President Paul McCue said it was time to tear down 11 converted shipping containers used as police stations he said were no longer fit for purpose.

Mr McCue said the temporary remote stations were among 14 set up by the Federal Government during the 2007 NT Intervention.

He said while Arlparra, Yarralin and Ramingining were now permanent brick and mortar facilities the rest had been left to decay.

Milingimbi station is one of 11 converted shipping containers used as a remote police station set up in 2007 during the Federal NT Intervention. Photo: NT Police Association

Mr McCue said a prisoner held in the Peppimenarti station’s cell had “inadvertently put their foot through a floor”.

“When the Federal Government funded the temporary shipping container remote stations nearly 15 years ago they were supposed to be in place for only five years,” Mr McCue said.

“The stations need to be either shutdown or replaced with permanent bricks and mortar stations.”

Mr McCue said neither the federal or NT government were willing to take ownership of the remote stations.

Milingimbi station is one of 11 converted shipping containers used as a remote police station set up in 2007 during the Federal NT Intervention. Photo: NT Police Association

Milingimbi station is one of 11 converted shipping containers used as a remote police station set up in 2007 during the Federal NT Intervention. Photo: NT Police Association

A NT PFES spokesman said funding discussions were ongoing and the force was committed to a 10-year strategy of remote policing.

Since the intervention the federal government has committed $280m to remote policing in the NT, but a Territory government spokesman said there had been “crickets” from Canberra in the lead up to the June 30 expiry date.

Police Minister Nicole Manison accused the Federal government of “walking away” from remote policing.

But CLP Senator Sam McMahon told the ABC that “policing is a responsibility of the Northern Territory government”.

Shipping Container Stations

Provided by the NTPA

Haasts Bluff

Imanpa

Willowra

Finke

Alpurrurulam

Peppermenarti

Bulman

Umbakumba

Milingimbi

Minjilang

Warruwi