WORK on a $7 million upgrade to Bathurst Police Station will begin within a matter of weeks.
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Member for Bathurst Paul Toole confirmed the multimillion dollar facelift, announced back in 2019, is expected to begin either late February or early March.
Mr Toole said consultations with the command to identify operational and administrative requirements which have been underway for some time have assisted in determining the design and layout of the works at station.
He said specialist consultants have been engaged to progress the design, review heritage aspects and report on environmental factors of the works.
The alterations and additions to Bathurst Police Station include the provision of access ramp, path and openings at the front of the police station.
There will also be internal alterations to reconfigure ground floor and first floor areas.
A new van dock will be built at western side of the building as well as new fencing along a portion of the eastern boundary.
Mr Toole said it had been a lengthy process to get to this point, with peer review of the design and documentation now complete.
"Request for tenders for the construction contract have closed and submissions are currently being reviewed," he said adding on site commencement work is scheduled for February/March 2021."
Mr Toole said the project is scheduled to be completed by 2022.
Mr Toole said it was exciting to see the works finally beginning.
"I'm pleased to see the work about to begin, this was an election promise in 2019, it's great to see the work kicking off in a months time," he said.
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Mr Toole announced the station would be getting a facelift back in March 2019, almost 28 years after the station was built.
At the time police working in the station raised issues with the station's layout, which presented some challenges to staff.
That along with bolstered police numbers and additional support services such as the regional enforcement squad and forensics who work along general duties, detectives business and senior management, put space at a premium.
Mr Toole said the main focus of the upgrade will be the station area, where general duties officers work 24-7.
Acting Superintendent, Glenn Cogdell said planning for the upgrade actually began back in 2014.
He said the internal renovations will see the complete re-structure of areas in general duties, the supervisor's and detectives' rooms as well as an upgrade of the charge room and custody area.
Mr Cogdell said construction work will not affect operational duties.
"It will be business as usual," he said.