Wells – New $268 million City West police complex to strengthen law enforcement

. Minister Wells inspects works at site of new $268 million City West Police complex
. New site will house 1,500 staff and bring crime-fighting groups together under one roof
. Victorian Coalition Government building a better and safer Victoria

Minister for Police Kim Wells today inspected construction works at the site of the new $268 million state of the art purpose-built City West Police complex in Melbourne’s CBD that will strengthen law enforcement in the city centre.

Once complete, the new building will house 1,500 staff from crime command, intelligence command, Melbourne West police station and the North West Metropolitan Region headquarters.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to supporting Victoria Police and their work to increase community safety for all Victorians,” Mr Wells said.

“This new complex will bring key crime-fighting groups together under one roof at a centralised city location and will be the first purpose-built police building in the CBD since Russell Street was built in 1943.

“Currently key parts of Victoria Police are spread across a number of locations around St Kilda Road and the World Trade Centre on Flinders Street.

“Importantly, this new complex will enhance communication and information-sharing between major crime and intelligence functions.

“The location, right in the heart of Spencer Street at the site of the former Australia Post distribution centre, is also more prominent and accessible to the community.”

The complex is expected to be completed by mid-2015.

“This is a significant project which will see more than $268 million invested in Victoria and create around 290 jobs,” Mr Wells said.

The complex will comprise 12 storeys and feature a five-star National Australian Built Environment Rating System rating.

Mr Wells said the Coalition Government continues to make an unprecedented investment in law and order, providing record levels of funding for Victoria Police since coming to office.

“Output funding of $2.43 billion in 2014-15 gives Victoria Police the largest Budget in its history, representing a 6.7 per cent increase on the
2013-14 Budget,” Mr Wells said.

“This is a substantial part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to building a better, safer Victoria.”

Mr Wells said since coming to office, the Coalition Government had provided $221 million for new and upgraded police stations and facilities across the state and will continue to deliver on its community safety agenda.

“We have allocated more than $77 million to Victoria Police for new stations, facilities and equipment in the 2014-15 Budget,” Mr Wells said.

“The Coalition Government is also fulfilling its commitment and remains on track to deliver 1,700 additional frontline police and 940 PSOs by November this year at a cost of $814.3 million.

“Today there are more than 1,500 extra police and more than 750 additional PSOs protecting the community than when the Coalition Government took office in November 2010.”

The development is a partnership between the Victorian Coalition Government, which contributed $68 million to the project, and Cbus Property, which contributed $200 million, including land.