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Police members will return to Mooroopna next week when the new $2million Mooroopna Police Station opens.

The modern building has replaced the 50-year-old police station that was demolished in July last year to make way for the new facility.

Mooroopna police officers moved to a temporary base at the Shepparton Police Station in May last year.

Greater Shepparton Police Service Area Inspector Ian Bull said police members were keen to occupy the new facility, which was about six times larger than the old station.

Insp Bull said seven police members would be based at Mooroopna Police Station, and this would increase to a minimum of 11 members by the 2014-2015 financial year.

‘‘The new station will be able to accommodate more police members, and in turn, it’s going to result in better police response,’’ Insp Bull said.

‘‘It will certainly be instrumental in attracting police staff to the station.’’

Insp Bull said the new facility had a number of safety and security features the old station lacked.

He said there were better parking facilities, better access, more storage, and equipment within the station was‘‘state-of-the-art’’.

He said most of all, the new station was ‘‘extremely inviting’’ to members of the public.

‘‘Clearly the old station did not meet community needs, and it didn’t allow Mooroopna police members to do their job properly, due to the cramped conditions, lack of security and limited staffing,’’ Insp Bull said.

‘‘Police in the Greater Shepparton area are very happy the police station has been built, and are looking forward to commence operation in the coming days.

‘‘The Mooroopna community should be very excited.’’

There was one aspect from the old station that police were keen to retain — an antique timber cell door which sits at the entrance.

Mooroopna Police Sergeant David Young — who is the new station commander — said the modern station was fitted with up-to-date technology that would enable efficient policing.

‘‘There’s going to be good police presence in the town and we’re looking forward to dealing with the residents and business owners to provide a safer community to Mooroopna,’’ Sgt Young said.

He said the station would operate for 16 hours a day and had provisions to expand these hours in the future.

‘‘The quality and size of it is tremendous, and gives us an opportunity to do our police work properly,’’ Sgt Young said.

Sgt Young worked at South Melbourne and St Kilda Police Stations before relocating to Shepparton Police Station more than three years ago.

Yesterday, Sgt Young encouraged the community to come along to the Mooroopna Police Station Open Day on Sunday, where residents could take a guided tour of the new police station before it became operational.

The open day is on Sunday, February 17 from 10am to 1pm at the corner of McLennan St and Toolamba Rd, Mooroopna.