The Minns Labor Government is officially opening the new Helensburgh Police Station today, supporting frontline officers with new, modern facilities and fulfilling an election commitment.
The new $3 million station replaces the decades-old demountable building on Waratah Street which was no longer fit for purpose and didn't meet work health and safety standards. This meant that in recent years, officers were deployed from Wollongong Police Station to the northern suburbs.
Up to eight officers can be based at the new site, compared to three previously.
A first response car will also be attached to the station, providing 24/7 coverage of the area.
The modern site manages and holds all necessary operational policing equipment and provides secure parking for police vehicles.
The NSW Labor Government promised to rebuild the Helensburgh Police Station during its first term, if elected to form government in 2023.
The former Liberal government repeatedly promised the Helensburgh community a permanent station over more than a decade but never delivered.
Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley, Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart and Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced plans for the new site in May 2024, construction began a month later and today the new building officially opens.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting NSW Police officers, providing them with the resources to keep communities safe.
We are addressing the chronic shortage of officers presided over by the former Liberal National Government by:
- Providing a historic wages offer;
- Abolishing the wages cap;
- Setting up a historic new scheme to pay recruits to study, which has seen applications to join the NSW Police increase by 55%;
- Establishing new recruitment programs, including You Should Be A Cop in Your Home Town which provides recruits a pathway to working in or near their hometown after attestating the Goulburn Academy.
This new police station for the Heathcote electorate is part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to build a better NSW, and to rebuild essential services like the NSW Police Force.
Premier Chris Minns said:
"Our police officers are the backbone of our community, trusted in the toughest times, and the NSW Labor Government fully supports them.
"Today, our Government gives Helensburgh its police station back.
"NSW police are based in the Northern Illawarra once again, and that's something the Helensburgh community deserves.
"The new police station is something our Government prioritised from the start and delivers today.
"Our Government is building a better NSW Police Force to keep communities like Helensburgh safe."
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
"The new station returns a permanent police presence to Helensburgh and ensures officers can continue to support the growing community.
"Police work every day to keep us safe - it's not an easy job which is why the Labor Government is providing them with the facilities and resources to support their essential work.
"We back our police to the hilt - we've put a historic wages offer on the table and introduced a range of recruitment measures including paid study to get more boots on the ground and address crime."
Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:
"The residents of the Northern Illawarra heard nothing but empty promises from the previous Liberal National government for over a decade about the police station in Helensburgh. After 18 months of being elected, I have delivered.
"There has been a significant history to policing in Helensburgh and I am proud to help continue that.
"This beautiful building can accommodate up to eight police and replaces the demountable that was no longer fit for purpose.
"I thank the Premier, Minister for Police and the NSW Police Force for assisting in the return of a police presence to the people of Helensburgh and Northern Illawarra. This will restore peace of mind to the community."
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM said:
"We already have officers starting and finishing their shifts at Helensburgh, providing a greater police presence for the northern residents of Wollongong.
"This new and modern station provides improved capacity and fit-for-purpose facilities for our officers, which in turn means we are better able to serve the local community."
