Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services the Honourable Mark Ryan MP and Commissioner Katarina Carroll have today officially opened the new Pimpama police facility.
Commissioner Carroll said the large-scale project would provide state-of-the-art facilities to support frontline officers and co-located Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel.
"With continual growth in the northern Gold Coast area, it was evident that we required a new police facility to meet the needs of the growing population in Pimpama and the surrounding regions including Mudgeeraba, Nerang and Coomera," Commissioner Carroll said.
"The QPS Capital Works Program worked closely with F K Gardiner and Sons Pty Ltd to ensure this new facility supported all state and district resources required including the Gold Coast Rapid Action and Patrol Groups, Criminal Investigation Branch, Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Cross Cultural Unit, Highway Patrol and our Dog Squad.
"Today's facility opening is both a continuation of the history of service the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has offered to the Gold Coast community and a positive step into our future as a world-class police service."
Minister Ryan said the opening of the new facility continued the commitment of the Queensland Government and the QPS to keeping policing and emergency services facilities at the highest standard.
"Not only did the $6.084 million works support up to 20 full-time equivalent jobs for contractors and builders in the community, but it will now be home to 36 sworn members and three civilian staff of the QPS," Minister Ryan said.
"This includes one senior sergeant, four sergeants, 31 senior constables / constables and three administration staff, demonstrating the Queensland Government's and QPS' commitment to keeping Pimpama and its community members safe.
"I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the work that Pimpama and fellow Gold Coast police officers do to continually make this part of the state a safe and wonderful place to be.
In his last public event after more than 40 years with the Queensland Police Service, Assistant Commissioner Brian Wilkins paid tribute to a watershed investment in community safety.
"In over 40 years of policing I have never seen an investment in a new police facility like this one.
"Never before seen have I seen the establishment of a new facility that is entirely staffed by officers filling newly created positions.
"Every single position at the new Pimpama station is a police growth number for this region.
"I wish all of the officers and staff all the very best serving their community."
Queensland Police Union President, Ian Leavers, congratulated the government on making what he said was a vital investment in community safety.
"The Police Union campaigned intensely for the establishment of a Police Station at Pimpama particularly after the previous government removed the Coomera Police District and collapsed the area's important resources in 2013.
"This new stand-alone police station will be of significant benefit to the people of the northern Gold Coast in one of the most rapidly expanding areas of the State.
"It's also the first police station in Queensland for generations to have 36 new positions created and not have staff shuffled from other stations to fill the need.
"I'm confident the Northern Gold Coast Community will notice a significant difference in police response times with full time police based in Pimpama.
"I congratulate Police Minister Mark Ryan for working with the Union to establish this important resource and working in tandem with the Premier and Treasurer securing the funding to complete the design and construction works required to make this a true fit for purpose police station."
