mmg.com.au

Deniliquin Mayor Brian Mitsch says he welcomes the decision to build the new Deniliquin Police Station on its current site.

Deniliquin Chief Inspector Michael Tranby revealed last week that plans to build the station on a vacant block at the corner of Hardinge and Harfleur Sts have been shelved.

The Police Property Group is now preparing a submission to the government to build the long-awaited station at its current site on the corner of Hardinge and Charlotte Sts.

The new station was first promised in 2007 by the then state Labor Government.

‘‘I fully welcome what they’re doing,’’ Cr Mitsch said.

‘‘I think it’s great that we get the funding into town.

‘‘I don’t have any concerns about the location.’’

Deniliquin councillor Lindsay Renwick last week expressed disappointment at the decision, saying the new station would make the intersection of Hardinge and Charlotte Sts too busy.

He said it would also restrict future development of Deniliquin Hospital.

The councillor said he did not want to stop the new station, but was disappointed prior planning had been ‘‘thrown out the window’’.

However, Cr Mitsch said the selected site would be ‘‘as good a location as anywhere else in town’’.

‘‘It’s great to see some state capital come into Deniliquin and provide jobs for all the builders and various tradesmen. The sooner they get on with it, the happier the community will be,’’ he said.

The station site is located between the Deniliquin Hospital and Deniliquin Medical Centre, which is under construction.

Cr Mitsch said the new precinct would have ‘‘huge potential’’.

The mayor met with Insp Tranby, Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Fuller APM and Police Property Group Superintendent Darryl Tuck last week.

Insp Tranby said that prior planning for the station was now ‘‘obsolete’’ and that new plans would have to wait until after the government responds to the submission.

However, Cr Mitsch said he believes they are looking at constructing a two storey station with parking underneath and the station on the first floor.

‘‘The point was made that undercover carparking in Deniliquin in the middle of summer is quite a valuable commodity,’’ he said.

‘‘(But) all of this is subject to their planning.’’

~ Jess Everingham