14 July, 2023
Labor Government determined to close Toogoolawah Police Station: Frecklington
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has angrily reacted to plans by the Labor Government to close the Toogoolawah Police Station.
Mrs Frecklington said she was blind-sided by the plans, which she says are completely unacceptable for the Toogoolawah district.
“I am gob-smacked and I won’t be letting the Labor Government get away with removing vital police services from the community,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The Labor Government are determined to close Toogoolawah Police Station down and this must be stopped.
“Toogoolawah must retain a fully operational Police Station. This is a busy country town with a courthouse, four pubs, a high school and a growing population that deserves to know their safety is a priority.
“It is also a township which becomes completely cut off from Esk and northern areas of the Somerset region in times of flooding and a local police presence is crucial at these times.
“I just can’t believe that this essential station has been earmarked for closure.
“It is typical however of the Palaszczuk Labor Government whose priorities are all wrong.
“We know that frontline Police numbers are down 72 since 2020, yet the Premier’s marketing and media staff are up 98 since the last election.
“How can the Premier in her right mind think this is acceptable?
“Services have never been worse than under this Labor Government and it’s our regional communities that are feeling this more than ever.
“Our community needs an increase in Police numbers, not a decrease.”
Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, said several people contacted his office after hearing that the Toogoolawah Police Station was set to close and he contacted the State Government.
As a result, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) issued a statement saying that QPS has no plans to close the Toogoolawah Station or relocate staff and they advised Mr Neumann’s office that Toogoolawah and Blackbutt Police Stations remain open, and there are no plans to close them, with officers attached to these stations continuing to serve the local communities.
“The policing needs of these communities are provided by local officers, and when necessary, from adjoining divisions or district resources such as the Criminal Investigation Branch and the Traffic Branch,” the Queensland Police spokesperson said.
“The Queensland Police Service regularly assess facilities to determine necessary upgrades, additions and safety measures.
“A number of additions including security screening, fencing, signage, lighting, upgrades to firearms facilities and radio communications technology have recently been approved and/or completed at Blackbutt Police Station.
“The QPS frequently evaluates a range of issues including staffing levels, service demand, officer safety and emerging crime trends to ensure appropriate resourcing and equitable service to the people of Queensland.
“This is based on a number of factors, including the number and type of calls for service in the community, population growth forecasts and proximity to other police stations.
“The Service continues to adopt an agile and borderless policing approach enriched with technology where officers are no longer restricted to a static location.
“This means regardless of where a frontline officer may be based, they will spend the majority of their shift out in the community, responding to calls for service and patrolling the area.
“Urgent and life-threatening calls for service will always be treated as a priority by Toogoolawah and Blackbutt police.
“As such, officers from these stations will continue to adopt a borderless policing approach.
“Additional support is also provided from surrounding stations when required, in keeping with current QPS protocols.
“This best-use approach to police resourcing clearly reflects the QPS’s commitment to providing an ongoing service to the Toogoolawah and Blackbutt communities and in keeping Queenslanders safe.”
