The NSW Minister for Police Tony Kelly has failed to outline the future of Beresfield Police Station during Question Time today, two weeks after admitting the Government was considering selling off Lochinvar Police Station.

Hunter MLC Robyn Parker asked the Minister in Question Time today about the future of Beresfield Police Station and its’ infrastructure, as well as whether the Government would commit to a 24-hour police station in Beresfield. No funding was committed to the Beresfield Station in yesterday’s budget announcement.

“The Minister had a perfect opportunity today to tell residents in Beresfield, Thornton and Woodberry whether they will have a future local police presence at Beresfield Police Station, once the Port Stephens Local Area Command opens in Raymond Terrace,” Robyn Parker said.

“Two weeks ago the Minister confirmed that the State Government was considering selling off the Lochinvar Police Station land. Today we have confirmation that once the new Raymond Terrace Police Station is opened in late 2010, the Government has no plans for the future of Beresfield Police Station.

“Does the Minister expect us to believe that they don’t have a future plan for the Beresfield Police Station in 18 months time when the Raymond Terrace station comes online? Is this how Labor runs Government in NSW, with no forward planning?

“Beresfield Police Station not only affects the residents of Beresfield but also the growing suburbs of Thornton and Woodberry. This is just one more example of the failure of the NSW Labor Government and the ineffective Member for Maitland to properly plan for the future needs of the area and to adequately resource one of the fastest growing regions of our state.”

The Member for Maitland, Frank Terenzini, told the Maitland Mercury in July 2008:

“Yesterday, Mr Terenzini said while Beresfield was not within his electorate he would lobby for a permanent presence at the station once the new Port Stephens Area Command was established. “Thornton is not far away from Beresfield and the people have told me they want that staffed.””

(Maitland Mercury, 25.7.08)

“The NSW Labor Government has spent millions of dollars on consultants reports over the years, which tells them that Maitland is growing exponentially. Perhaps if the Government spent those dollars keeping local services, our state would be in far better shape today,” Robyn Parker said.