Minister for Police Mark Ryan and Commissioner Katarina Carroll joined local MPs to officially open new police facilities in McLeod Street Cairns and Woree today.
The McLeod Street facility will be home to a District Disaster Coordinator for the Far North District COVID-19 response, Criminal Investigation Branch, Intelligence Unit, Vulnerable Persons Unit and Domestic Violence High Risk Team.
The Woree facility hosts the Cairns Road Policing Unit and Forensic Crash Unit, consisting of multiple marked and unmarked vehicles, including speed camera vans, motorcycles and a Forensic Crash vehicle and other police resources.
Member for Cairns Michael Healy welcomed the official opening of the new facilities.
"I'm pleased to announce these new facilities are fully operational and serving the people of Far North Queensland," he said.
"When we invest in our police, the whole community benefits.
"These new facilities will allow our police to respond to incidents faster and be a more visible police presence on the ground.
"Cairns is home to some of the best police officers in the world, and this Government will ensure they have the resources and facilities they need."
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said the projects also supported local jobs.
"Economies all around the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
"Fortunately, the Palaszczuk Government has a plan to ensure there is a pipeline of work to support jobs and rebuild regional economies.
"By investing in police facilities like these, we're building a better Queensland by keeping the community safe and creating jobs at the same time."
Minister Ryan said the facilities demonstrated the continued commitment of the Palaszczuk Government to community safety in the Far North.
"Under this Government, there are more police in Queensland than ever before, and more on the way," he said.
"We will continue to back police 100 per cent in what they do best – and that's keeping communities safe.
"This Government's record $2.6 billion police budget is building better facilities, funding more resources and delivering more police."
Minister Ryan, Commissioner Carroll and local MPs also toured Cairns Police Station on Sheridan Street, which is currently undergoing a $10.4 million refurbishment.
Commissioner Carroll said she was looking forward to the works being completed in early 2021.
"The refurbished police station will enable our staff to continue to respond and address community issues," Commissioner Carroll said.
