Historic Warwick Police Station set to undergo $15m transformation

One of the Southern Downs’ most iconic buildings will undergo a massive transformation. Here’s what you need to know.

One of the Southern Downs’ most historic buildings is set for a significant multimillion-dollar transformation, with new changes coming to the way residents and police will use the building.

The more than 120-year-old Warwick Police Station in a historically listed sandstone building is set for a significant upgrade in a matter of months.

In 2022, a $15m budget for the project was announced, to upgrade several of the facilities at the station, including the watch-house.

The project is expected to include a complete demolition of the building at the rear of the station, to make way for a new, two-storey building to house the officers as well as extensive interior modifications of the original building to ensure its continued use.

Warwick Police Station in 1905 (Photo: Queensland Police)

Police records reveal there has been a police presence in Warwick since prior to the inauguration of the Queensland Police on January 1, 1864, however, the iconic sandstone building as recognised today was opened in July 1901.

In January 2022, it was announced Dalby Police Station would also be upgraded at a cost of $11.5m.

During the Dalby upgrade construction process officers in the Western Downs worked out of a temporary office located up the road.

The redevelopment is a part of a $300m police infrastructure upgrade to modernise policing in the region and across the state.

It’s believed the upgrade on the Warwick Police Station has been halted due to the completion of the Dalby station, as Warwick officers will need to operate out of a temporary facility during the construction process.

Proposed plans for the upgraded Warwick police station reveal a brand new modern two storey building behind the historical sandstone station

During the upgrades to the Warwick station, all policing will be completed out of the Queensland government building, located across the road from Warwick Magistrates Court on the corner of Guy and Fitzroy streets.

In 2022, Police and Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan said construction works were expected to start in 2023.

“We have already announced our commitment for an extra 2000-plus police personnel by 2025 – that will see at least 150 extra police to each police region,” Mr Ryan said.

“Keeping our communities safe is, and always will be, a Palaszczuk government priority.’’

Proposed concept for the upgraded Warwick police station reveal a brand new modern two storey building which will stand behind the historical sandstone station, linked with a walkway

Here’s what has been proposed to be added to the Warwick police station:

• Demolition of the existing annex building;
• Development of a new two storey police building at the rear of the historical police building;
• Retention and sympathetic internal refurbishments of the existing police station to enable its continued use;
• Retention and partial modification of the existing watch-house;
• Provision of 13 carparking bays;
• Changes to access arrangements on Fitzroy St.

Originally published as Historic Warwick Police Station set to undergo $15m transformation