Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre (JESC) and City Police Station are set to reopen after extensive remediation and upgrades.
The JESC welcomed ESA staff back earlier this week and ACT Policing will return next week following ICT commissioning and testing.
Front line emergency services staff have maintained a community presence throughout the remediation and upgrades to the JESC and City Stations.
The reoccupation of the Gungahlin JESC is a milestone in the ACT Government's long-term plan to enhance emergency services in the growing Gungahlin region.
The JESC - home to ACT Policing, ACT Fire & Rescue, ACT Rural Fire Service, ACT Ambulance Service and ACT State Emergency Service - underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to increase ACT Policing's operational footprint.
This project is part of a three-phase plan that includes relocating the ACT Rural Fire Service and ACT State Emergency Service to a new site in Mitchell (currently under construction) and exploring options for a new site in Casey for ACT Ambulance Service and ACT Fire & Rescue.
"The ACT Government is committed to providing the resources and facilities necessary to ensure the people of Gungahlin get the help they need, when they need it," said Minister for Police and Crime Prevention and Fire & Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman.
"The improvements to JESC provide ACT Policing expanded operational capacity to meet the needs of a growing Gungahlin population."
The JESC had been unoccupied since February 2024 due to the discovery of lead dust and diesel particulates during the refurbishment. Rigorous environmental assessments, reviewed by WorkSafe ACT, confirmed no staff exposure and an external source of contamination.
After relocating staff and volunteers, a full industrial clean took place. This was done to prioritise staff health and safety, despite not being recommended by the report or WorkSafe ACT.
"The health, wellbeing and safety of our emergency services staff and volunteers is paramount and the work put into refurbishment and remediation creates a safe and sustainable workplace," said Wayne Phillips, Commissioner ACT Emergency Services Agency.
"The reassurance to staff and volunteers is always front and centre. I'm confident this has been achieved. At the same time emergency personnel have maintained a presence in the Gungahlin area - keeping Canberrans safe. It's great they can now return to their revamped centre."
New upgrades are now complete at the City Police Station following storm damage in April 2024. The refurbished station has been equipped with 47 modern workstations and enhanced technical capability.
"This modern facility will be greatly received by our officers," said Chief Police Officer, Scott Lee.
"We welcome the government's investment in this station, which supports our mission to keep Canberrans safe."
New ceiling tiles and flooring in the areas affected by the water leak have been replaced. This includes in the Conference Room, General Duties Office, Sergeant's Office and Armoury.
"The City station is a crucial part of our long-term plan to ensure that emergency services can effectively meet the demands of our growing population and maintain optimal response times across the region," he said.
