Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville have visited Mallacoota to officially open the police station and pay tribute to a community affected by the devastating bushfires one year ago.
The station at 38 Maurice Avenue was completed in November 2018 and replaced the old police station which had served the local community since 1980.
The official opening had been delayed until now due to competing demands, the bushfire response and the COVID-19 restrictions.
“The old Mallacoota Police Station served local police and the community well but became tired, outdated and outgrown. The modern building has updated facilities to support local police officers in their duties and is more accessible and welcoming to the community,” said Chief Commissioner Patton.
He said the facility had been designed to support community policing, in particular to meet the needs of victims, to engage effectively with members of the community and to respond to emergencies. In Mallacoota, emergency management encompasses fire and floods, marine incidents, search and rescue, road trauma and illegal hunting activities.
Over key holiday periods, Mallacoota sees a significant influx of people from metropolitan Melbourne and the station gives police the capacity to keep the local community and visitors alike safe.
As part of the visit to the area, Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir, who led the police response to the bushfires launched Victorian Bushfires Remembered, an online exhibition created to mark the 12-month anniversary of the conclusion of the Victorian Government-declared State of Disaster.
“The bushfires that ravaged through Mallacoota and other areas of Victoria will never be forgotten. The Victorian Bushfires Remembered online exhibition commemorates the tireless work of Victoria Police and other emergency services who worked around the clock to provide much needed support to the community during the state of disaster. It also provides an opportunity for communities to look back and see how far they have come over the past 12 months,” said Asst Commissioner Weir.
The online exhibition is made up of still images, video footage, media clippings and personal stories, and captures the extraordinary contribution police made to battling the fires and keeping Victorians safe.
Asst Commissioner Weir said it also provided an opportunity for Victoria Police to highlight the efforts of partner agencies and the rural communities affected by the bushfires.
Victorian Bushfires Remembered can be viewed at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/victoria-bushfires-remembered
Mallacoota Police Station’s phone number is 03 5158 0280. In an emergency always call Triple Zero (000).
