Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay has welcomed a decision by NSW Police Minister Michael Gallacher this week to keep Walcha Road Police Station operational.
The MP was part of a Walcha Council delegation to meet with the Minister at the Tamworth Cabinet meeting this week.
At the meeting, Mr Torbay supported Mayor Janelle Archdale and General Manager Jack O’Hara in their bid to overturn a plan to close the one-man station, which has been without a police officer for the last six months.
Mr Gallacher told the delegation that Western Regional Commander, Assistant Com-missioner Geoff McKechnie had intervened to recommend the station should remain open.
“It’s a good decision because it reinforces the concept that small communities have every right to a police presence,” he said.
“There’s always a problem in these small stations that, when an officer leaves, there is a move not to appoint a replacement and to close down the station.
“Fortunately, the Minister has listened to the strong community views that they want to retain their local police officer and to keep the station operational.
“I thank the Minister and Assistant Commissioner for their response, which the local community will very much appreciate.”
