Crime-fighting has been boosted in Mildura with the opening of a new $18.3 million police station.
Police Minister Bob Cameron, today officially opened the station, built on the site of the former Mildura Court House in Deakin Avenue.
Mr Cameron said the Brumby Government and the Victoria Police were taking action in Mildura to protect the community.
“In the last eight years, the overall crime rate in Mildura has dropped by 16 percent. I want to congratulate the local police for the work they do,” Mr Cameron said.
“The new station signalled the next stage of policing in the town, replacing the original building constructed in 1936 and will house specialist field officers, as well as criminal investigation, sexual offences, child abuse and pro-active program units.
“The Brumby Government is committed to giving police the best resources possible to fight crime and keep communities safe.”
Mr Cameron said the new two storey police station meets modern policing requirements and includes room for a variety of police unit operations.
"The new two storey police station meets modern policing requirements and includes room for a variety of police unit operations."
New police stations have also been rolled out at neighbouring areas Merbein, Red Cliffs and Underbool.
Mr Cameron said investing in improved infrastructure, equipment and recruitment was part of the Brumby Government’s contribution to policing in Victoria.
“The Brumby Government has committed more than $400 million to the construction and refurbishment of over 150 police stations across the State since coming to office and over three quarters of the police stations rebuilt have been located in Regional Victoria,” Mr Cameron said.
“We will continue to highly resource Victoria Police so they can keep crime levels falling.”
There are now more police than ever before, with the Brumby Government adding an additional 1400 police officers added to the beat since 1999 and a further 350 to be added by 2010.
“Crime in Victoria is at a record low. Victoria’s crime rate has fallen by 23.5 per cent since 2000-01. The Brumby Government is committed to ensuring Victoria remains the safest State in Australia,” Mr Cameron said.