MP pushes for new cop shop

Superintendent Wayne Dedden and Member for Illawarra Marianne saliba inspect the approx 8m x 6m room which serves as the workspace for 120 officers at Warilla Police Station

MEMBER for the Illawarra Marianne Saliba MP, this week called on the State Government to build a new Police Station in the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command.

Ms Saliba called on Minister for Police Carl Scully to allocate funds for a new station with just under a month to go until Premier Iemma delivers his first State Budget.

The Lake Illawarra Area Command covers a large area with a steadily growing population, Ms Saliba said.

According to Ms Saliba, as the community has grown and the command expanded to meet the growing communitys needs, the existing Warilla Police Station is no longer adequate.

The police and my constituents regularly tell me we need another police station, so Ive promised to use my influence to try and get something done, Ms Saliba said.

The command has outgrown the current facility at Warilla and our hardworking police need a modern workplace which accommodates all the tools necessary for them to continue their work of protecting the community.

My constituents also need modern police stations which not only deliver support to operational police but also have real benefits to the local community.

Superintendent Wayne Dedden of the Lake Illawarra Area Command reiterated Ms Salibas concerns.

I am totally supportive of Ms Salibas efforts, said Superintendent Dedden.

We hope to be successful in identifying a site close to where we are at present that will meet both our needs and the needs of the community.

Ms Saliba is now seeking an urgent meeting with Mr Scully to press the case for a new police station in the Local Illawarra area.

If we are to make our community safer place to live, it is essential that we have suitable police resources and and facilities to meet local needs, she said.