Police finally have a base again in Helensburgh

NSW Premier Chris Minns, Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley and NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb at the opening of Helensburgh Police Station. Photo: NSW Police.

Helensburgh residents will once again have a police presence in the town following the opening of its $3 million police station.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart were in the northern suburb on Monday (18 November) to open the station.

Mrs Stuart said it was a “super-exciting” day for which residents had been waiting “a very long time”.

“The previous government promised it for 12 long years. We made it an election commitment and here we are 18 months later and it has been delivered,” she said.

The old demountable police station building had not been operational as it did not meet work health and safety standards.

During that time, officers were deployed from Wollongong to the northern suburbs to respond to callouts and emergencies.

The Premier meeting officers. Photos: NSW Police.

The new $3 million station.

Commissioner Webb and Mr Minns officially open the station.

The old station was demolished in June and the new modular facility was built off site.

It can accommodate up to eight officers, with six initially appointed to the station.

A first-response car will be attached to the station, providing 24/7 coverage of the northern area of the Wollongong Police District.

Mr Minns said when the dedicated police car was parked at the station, it would mean the station was staffed.

“As the police force grows and the community north of Wollongong grows, there’s the capacity to staff it on a permanent rotation,” he said.

“In the years ahead, we hope to expand this station as the community grows.

“NSW police are based in the northern Illawarra once again, and that’s something the Helensburgh community deserves.”

Commissioner Webb said the modern new station provided improved capacity and fit-for-purpose facilities for officers.

“We already have officers starting and finishing their shifts at Helensburgh, providing a greater police presence for the northern residents of Wollongong,” she said.