By Alesha Capone
Opposition leader Michael O’Brien has committed to increasing the number of police officers based in Wyndham if he wins the next Victorian election.
Mr O’Brien visited the municipality last Tuesday at the invitation of Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn.
The pair visited Point Cook’s town centre, farmers in Werribee South and Werribee Mercy Hospital.
Mr Finn spoke to Mr O’Brien about concerns related to youth gangs, hoons and thefts in Wyndham.
Mr Finn said that “under-resourced” local police sometimes could not attend crime scenes in a timely manner.
In response, Mr O’Brien said he would increase the police presence in Wyndham if he is elected at the next state election, which is due to be held on or before November 26, 2022.
Mr O’Brien said he would have to consult with Mr Finn, who is the opposition spokesperson for police and safety, to work out the number of new police required in Wyndham.
Mr O’Brien said he would also “bring forward” the timing of the Point Cook police station’s construction.
The state government last year spent $4.5 million to buy a site on Point Cook Homestead Road for the future station.
At a public question and answer session, held in Point Cook, local advocate Dr Joe Garra asked Mr O’Brien if the opposition has any plans for East Werribee, after state government plans to build a $31 billion education city there fell through.
Mr O’Brien said he hoped the state government did not “flog off” the East Werribee site for a housing development.
“What I’d say is the government needs to listen to the community and consult,” he said.
A state government spokesperson said: “We’re investing like never before in our west, especially in the Wyndham community, one of the fastest growing regions in all of Victoria, and making unprecedented investments in infrastructure, education and health – initiatives that Victorians voted for.”
The spokesperson said the government has provided $45 million for design and construction of the Wyndham Police Complex in Werribee and funding for 100 new police officers in the Westgate division, which covers Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham.
“The City of Wyndham, which includes Point Cook, is serviced by a 24-hour police station in Werribee and a non-24-hour station in Wyndham North and residents should be in no doubt that they are well protected,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said construction of the Point Cook police station’s “is currently being considered and will follow the same budget process that all police infrastructure funding allocations follow”.
