Mark Shelton,Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Millions of dollars have been invested to support police, fire and emergency services workers in Tasmania as part of the $50 million commitment announced by the Tasmanian Liberal Government for COVID-19 infrastructure stimulus funding.
The Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management received $4 million as part of the Public Building Maintenance Fund and has so far spent $1 million on:
- Renovating the Burnie Police Station shower and bathroom facilities;
- Removing asbestos and replacing the façade of the Zeehan Police Station;
- Upgrading the Hobart City Police Complex and Tasmania Fire Service State Headquarters Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning;
- Comprehensively upgrading the Department’s security access systems to provide increased levels of security; and
- Undertaking essential plumbing and drainage works at the Devonport and Scottsdale police stations.
The remaining $3 million will be spent on:
- Building maintenance upgrades in King Island, Rosebery, Woodbridge, Georgetown, Burnie and Launceston.
- Station upgrades in Clarence Plains, Bridgewater, Queenstown and Huonville;
- Electrical, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning upgrades in various Tasmania Fire Service, State Emergency Service and Tasmania Police stations and buildings and;
- Further upgrades and implementation of security and access systems.
The Government is ensuring there is a steady flow of capital works which is essential to supporting the economy as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Importantly, these funds will provide an economic stimulus to a number of regional Tasmanian communities and businesses affected by COVID-19 while ensuring our emergency service personnel have modern facilities that are fit for purpose.
In addition, the Government has also provided $7 million in COVID-19 funding to upgrade the Launceston Police Station, and a further $8.7 million to upgrade the final 29 police residences in Tasmania.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of our police officers, fire and emergency services workers in Tasmania for the fantastic job that they do in protecting us and keeping us safe.
Their dedication and contribution to our community, each and every day, ensures that Tasmania remains the best and one of the safest places in Australia to live.
