NSW Minster for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott presenting the commissioning plaque to Adelong senior constables Jason Maybury and Kath Quarmby, with Riverina Police District Commander, Superintendent Bob Noble, looking on. Photo: Supplied.
The start to 2020 wasn’t quite what the community of Adelong, in the NSW South West Slopes, was hoping for, but when NSW Minster for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott visited the tiny town recently there was cause for celebration.
Just 15 months after Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr stood in NSW Parliament asking the same minister for a progress report on the promised new Adelong police station, the ribbon was cut on its timber-slatted exterior.
The new police station at Adelong, in the South West Slopes, was assembled offsite and erected in the town centre. Photo: Dr Joe McGirr.
After he had revealed to parliament that not a blade of grass had been touched on the project since it was announced in 2018, Dr McGirr was dazzled that the new Adelong Police Station building filled its vacant lot – replete with two senior constables, Jason Maybury and Kath Quarmby – in just four weeks.
So it was all officers in blue, politicians and plaques for the official opening on 10 September, which also marked the retirement of Adelong’s 160-year-old former police station.
Now in a new location in the centre of town, the sparkling new modular building imparts a minimalist vibe in stark contrast to its predecessor, a back street heritage showpiece which was failing to keep up with the times.
Diminutive it may be, the new $1 million station was constructed offsite by Melbourne architectural firm Modscape and contains state-of-the-art facilities set to enhance the role it plays in the town and as an important hub for NSW Police in southern NSW.
For the 943 Adelong residents, it meets the criteria of being more accessible. For NSW Police, it segues nicely into its community engagement framework. For the NSW Government, it delivers another tick in its $15.9 million Regional Small Police Station program.
NSW Police Riverina Police District Commander, Superintendent Bob Noble, said the new facility will meet current and future operational needs in the area.
“The offsite fabrication of the station meant we saw minimal disruption to local police operations during the building phase,” he said.
“A lot of people comment that it looks quite small from the street, but inside it’s very spacious. It’s fully networked with high-speed internet, video linked, and equipped with a public front counter, duty rooms, an interview room and a secure detainee area.”
Adelong’s former police station – a beautiful heritage building located on a back street away from the centre of town – was deemed too old for an upgrade. Photo: Supplied.
Superintendent Noble also said the facility will service the needs of the community while ensuring officers are provided a modern and safe workplace as they help keep the community safe.
“The two officers there are very proud and chuffed with their new base,” he said.
NSW Police Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Dean Smith, said the new station was an investment in regional policing.
“This new facility gives Riverina police the support they need to respond effectively to emerging crime issues and other emergency situations,” he said.
No truer a word was uttered in the aftermath of the past summer’s bushfires, where Adelong became an important strategic staging point for fire operations, and its location on the Snowy Mountains Highway lends itself as a base for visiting officers.
This is backed up by Dr McGirr, who said it is important the local community knows its police officers have the best resources available.
“The facility provides extra space to allow specialist and visiting police the resources they need to further support this community,” he said.
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