Current Police site too small for new station

Council has received a good early response to a survey around what services should be located in and around the proposed new library and community hub.

Around 70% of online respondents are in favour of the idea of visitor information services being delivered at the new library, and Council offering the current Visitor Information Centre (VIC) site as an option for Police to construct their new station.

Council has put the proposal out for community engagement amidst concerns that the Police leaving the CBD would result in 65-100 people being lost from Argent Street stores and cafes each day.

Council's General Manager, James Roncon, said Council remained committed to ensuring the survival of Argent Street, but conceded there are some elements of the proposal that are simply out of Council's control.

"We've noticed a few people in the survey have indicated they are against the Police moving to the VIC site as they want the Police to stay where they are now," he said.

"I think the most important fact to get out there is that the Police will not be rebuilding on their current Argent Street site, they have already indicated it is too small. They're going elsewhere.

"We obviously can't force the Police to stay in Argent Street, all we can do as a Council is to try and find a solution that will keep the Police in the CBD.

"We believe at this stage the most realistic and logical option is to relocate our visitor information services to the new library, make the VIC site available for the new Police station, and acquire the current Police site to provide a boost to parking in the CBD."

Mr Roncon said Council would gather community feedback via its survey and engagement sessions until February 12, and then consider a way forward.

"If the community and Councillors are in favour of us trying to retain the Police in the CBD, we'll certainly sit down with the Police and try and make that happen.

"Until then all we can do is encourage people to give us their feedback via our survey, or come along to our community open day at the Civic Centre."

An FAQ with a direct link to the survey and the library's draft Cultural Framework can be found here

Those who would prefer to discuss the proposal in person with Council staff or the library project's architects, Neeson Murcutt, are invited to attend a community engagement open day at the Civic Centre from 5pm on February 11.

A free BBQ will be provided, and cold drinks will be available.