Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Troy Grant announced funding for a $1.5 million upgrade of the station on Friday, July 6. The news comes after funding was announced in May for a new Port Macquarie Police Station.

Currently there is no date for when the upgrade in Laurieton will begin. 

Mr Grant said the local police would get input for what they would like the upgrade to entail and would be involved in the design process. 

The average age of police property across NSW, Mr Grant said, is 70 years.

“As areas grow, we need to house more police and new technology,” he said. 

Mr Grant said the enhancement and expansion to the station would cater for the increased population expected in the Camden Haven in the future.  

“To allow the police to be better housed, more effectively and efficiently and to be able to deploy from this area the service the growing population demands and crime needs of the Camden Haven.”

Detective Inspector Guy Flaherty said local police welcomed the upgrade, which would help them do their job better and return to the street more quickly. 

Senior Constable Mick Walker said he would like the upgrade to include more facilities to house police staff at the same time and to accommodate additional officers.

“There would also be an increase of technology and better facilities to house that modern technology,” he said. 

Mrs Williams said the Laurieton Police Station might be small, but it’s an important part of the close-knit community. 

“The redevelopment will transform the existing station into a modern facility that will serve the local police now and into the future,” she said. 

“Our local men and women in blue deserve the very best resources and equipment to do their job and keep the community safe.”