Noting the police's "unenviable task of maintaining law and order" during the coronavirus pandemic, Hilltops councillor John Walker has renewed calls for an upgrade of Young Police Station.
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Cr Walker took aim at the state government in this week's Hilltops councillor column published on council's website.
A former mayor of the former Young Shire Council, Cr Walker says the Young Police Station was "assessed as inadequate" nearly 20 years ago.
He says the town's police deserve better.
"Full credit to the police force who are left with the unenviable task of maintaining law and order while themselves being the innocent victims of the lawbreakers threatening the spread of the pandemic," Cr Walker said.
"In Hilltops, I feel further disappointed that the police force are not shown a bit of gratitude by the same policy makers in not providing them with up to date offices that were assessed as inadequate and in need of upgrade or replacement in Young nearly 20 years ago. It is completely shameful in my mind that funds have not been committed to a modern police station in Young.
"Surely this is the least our state government can do for both our community and our committed law enforcers who hold the social fabric of society together. I shudder each time I see state funds going to less worthy projects. They are well worthy of that support."
In 2015, when Cr Walker was mayor of Young Shire, he met with former Nationals' Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson and local police officers at the Cloete Street station, following a police and community meeting involving police officers and local mayors.
This week, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Mick Veitch said the government has failed Young police.
"The police should not be working in such conditions. The NSW government has failed the police in Young and they must immediately address the issues at the police station," Mr Veitch said.
Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke says she's fighting for a new station.
"I assure the people of Young and the police officers who go above and beyond to serve our community that I am like a dog with a bone on this issue and will not let it rest until we are opening a new station," Ms Cooke said.
"Our police do a fantastic job and deserve to be in facilities that are fit-for-purpose. I have raised the need for a new multi-purpose police station for Young with the NSW Police Minister, his predecessor and the commissioner's office on multiple occasions, in meetings and in formal representations.
"Most recently I met with deputy commissioner [Malcolm] Lanyon on June 4 this year in parliament house to stress the need for this facility and the unacceptable condition of the current police station in Young.
"I will never stop advocating for a new, fit-for-purpose facility."
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