Community Safety

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-107653

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Community Safety

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (19:31:33):

The Government continues to invest in protecting our local communities. Having recently attended my local area command's monthly Community Safety Precinct Committee meeting, it was encouraging to hear the great news that the NSW Police Force continues to keep the community safe, with crime statistics showing all major categories either stable or falling. Police men and women across this State continue to deliver time and again, putting their own personal safety on the line to ensure our communities are safe and protected. I am proud to be part of a government that recognises this incredible work and is investing accordingly to allow officers to continue this daunting task.

In last year's budget the Government announced $29 million to upgrade and redevelop Hurstville Police Station. The multimillion dollar police station is a win for the community and will ensure local police have the resources they need for generations to come. The location of the new police station in Hurstville is yet to be determined but it will take into consideration feasibility, land space and accessibility. More information will be made available in the coming months following consultation and a number of design phases. My local community is thrilled with this announcement.

However, it is not just infrastructure that this Government is investing in. The Government recognises the incredible efforts of police officers who have worked tirelessly alongside the community to keep crime rates low. That is why the Government has also taken the major step to fortify the force into the future with the investment of more than $583 million over four years to deliver 1,500 extra police officers. Recently the Premier and the police Minister welcomed class 337, which included 261 new probationary constables to the NSW Police Force, 16 of whom will work in my electorate. We all thank these new probationary constables for their willingness to serve our community and we wish them all the very best as they embark on their important and rewarding careers.

Our local Hurstville firefighters have also recently been recognised for their extraordinary efforts in two separate incidents. Fire and Rescue NSW members were honoured in the annual St Florian's Day awards during a ceremony at the Emergency Services Academy. St Florian's Day, also known as International Firefighters' Day, is celebrated annually on 4 May. Alongside other crews, the Hurstville crew was presented with the Unit Commendation for Meritorious Service Award. Two members were also honoured with the Individual Commendation for Meritorious Service award. They were commended for their dedicated actions in a confined space rescue at an Auburn ink plant in 2017. Another team within the same station at Hurstville was recognised for its life-saving actions at a motor vehicle accident on the Hume Highway at Menangle in September 2017. Recipients were described as individuals who displayed dedication and professionalism on behalf of their organisation. One of my son's favourite days is the open day at our local fire station at Mortdale. Like many other children, he loves the sound of the sirens, the firefighter hats that are handed out and the chance to check out the station and the trucks.

Earlier this year we celebrated National Volunteer Week, which is an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation's volunteers. As part of this celebration I was honoured to represent the Minister for Police and Emergency Services at the NSW State Emergency Services [SES] Marrickville awards ceremony. The SES volunteers have a long and proud history of assisting their community with their invaluable emergency response during floods, storms and other emergencies. It made me incredibly proud to see the depth of the commitment of the Marrickville SES and the outstanding community spirit and dedication that they demonstrate. When things go wrong the SES are there time and time again. They give up their time to help others in need and often that comes at the expense of their own safety. We are a country built on volunteerism, on mates helping mates and on doing the right thing when things go wrong. I look forward to keeping the House up to date on any further developments with the Hurstville Police Station and I congratulate all those who are involved in assisting the community.