By Belinda Nolan
BRIMBANK Police have appealed to the State Government to build a new police complex in the municipality, in a bid to keep pace with the city’s population boom.
In an exclusive interview with Star last week, Brimbank Police Inspector Michael Grainger revealed he had made a submission to the Coalition for a new station to be built in the Sydenham or Keilor Downs area.
Insp Grainger said he believed new facilities were needed to take the city’s crime fighting into a modern era and cope with the region’s predicted population growth.
“My view is that as the population expands in Brimbank and Melton, there will be a need for corresponding new facilities,” Insp Grainger said.
The new state-of-the-art complex would replace one of the city’s existing two stations, with the older Keilor Downs facility more likely to get the chop.
But Insp Grainger said he expected it could take up to a year for the government to respond to his request.
The campaign comes amid revelations Brimbank’s fledgling Embona Taskforce could be moved to Melton, due to lack of space.
The robbery taskforce was set up in Sunshine in December, following changes to Victoria’s policing boundaries.
The new unit is responsible for investigating armed robberies committed in Brimbank and Melton, relieving pressure on Footscray’s team.
But the unit’s future at Sunshine remains uncertain.
Insp Grainger told Star police were currently conducting a review to find a permanent home for the unit and with Brimbank’s stations overstretched, a move to Melton could be on the cards.
“Accommodation is an issue,” Insp Grainger said.
“The State Government is delivering us a number of extra staff over the next five years and we’re having to start planning now who we’re going to accommodate them.
“It may well be that the unit could be placed elsewhere.”
Although Brimbank had a higher rate of armed robberies than Melton, the rapidly growing shire could benefit from having the unit close to home, Insp Grainger said.
“With the population growth Melton may experience increased levels of robberies and armed robberies, and that’s something we also need to consider,” Insp Grainger said.
The review is due to be completed next week.
