At time of print yesterday, the Moree Champion received notice from State Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries, that Moree Police Station will receive their upgrade in the next two years.

Mr Humphries received the information through a Freedom of Information request following up on funds allocated some time ago. He said the new station will replace the existing one in Frome Street. The current premises will be demolished.

It will be a multi-million dollar, two-storey building with temporary accommodation.

Mr Humphries said planning would begin in January and the station completed in June 2012.

Also announced yesterday afternoon, this time by Minister for Police Michael Daley, that work has begun on a new Boomi Police Station and residence.

Barwon Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Tim Beattie said the original Boomi station was condemned. They have been negotiating for the upgrades for a while.

“We are looking forward to returning the office to the Boomi area and having the officer on the ground, living within the community,” Detective Inspector Beattie said.

Five Boggabilla Police and one Aboriginal liaison officer are covering the Boomi area as well as their own. About $600,000 has been allocated to the upgrade.

Mr Daley said the underground fuel tank beneath the old station would be removed.

“While buildings themselves don’t reduce crime, improving the standard of accommodation to support local officers makes a difference,” Mr Daley said.

Work on the Boomi Police Station is expected to be complete in early 2010.

For more news on the Moree Police Station upgrade see Tuesday’s Moree Champion.