CONSTRUCTION of a new police station for Rosewood should be completed sometime in 2024 according to Minister Police and Corrective Services and Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan.

The Minister made the prediction during a visit to Rosewood following the announcement that $1.9 million had been allocated in the State Budget to build a new station.

Minister Ryan advised that there would be community consultation around what residents might like the facade to look like.

“The police at the Rosewood station have outgrown the existing facility, and we must have bigger and more modern facilities for them,” he said.

“This is really exciting for local police and also for the community to known that their police are supported with the latest facilities.”

Minister Ryan said that construction was expected to start within the next 12 months.

“We have allocated money in this year’s budget for construction to start and it is hopeful that within the next 12 months construction will start and from there it should only take 12 months to complete, so at this stage we are looking for the completion of the new station to be in 2024.

“Initial design features have been discussed with the local officers which is really important because the internal makeup of the station has to be operationally appropriate.

“The old station will be demolished and then we need to work through the Heritage aspects to see what will happen with the police residence buildings.”

Minister Ryan added that the site of the new station was expected to be “on the corner directly across from the Rosewood Library”.

The Minister also visited the new Rosewood Fire and Rescue Station in Albert Street for the first time.