Point Cook police station push gets MPs talking

Rachel Carling-Jenkins. Picture: Scott McNaughton

Ms Carling-Jenkins, a member of the Democratic Labour Party, is keen to see funding for a station in the 2016-17 state budget.

She asked fellow upper house (Labor) MP Steve Herbert in Parliament earlier this month if, and when, the government would commit to the project.

Mr Herbert deflected the question, saying he would take it on notice.

“This is part of a budget issue as well as discussions with operational police command,” he said.

Ms Carling-Jenkins also raised the issue in a speech directed at Police Minister Wade Noonan but has yet to receive a response.

Figures from the Police Association show Wyndham has 45 first-response officers for every 100,000 people in the municipality, compared with a state average of 102 for every 100,000 people.

Wyndham police would need another 159 first-response officers in the next five years to reach and then maintain the current Victorian ratio.

Tony Hooper, of the Point Cook Action Group, said Ms Carling-Jenkins’ queries were a positive step forward.

“It’s promising to see a politician actually see the need for more police in the area,” he said.