Construction of the new Cessnock Police Station is progressing well, and is on track for a March 2021 opening.
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Cessnock was allocated $13.5 million in the 2018-19 NSW budget for the new police station, and demolition began in November last year.
Patterson Building Group site manager Angus McGee said the project is "starting to get some momentum" after it was hampered by poor weather earlier this year.
Mr McGee said COVID restrictions have not really affected the project so far, but may once the internal works start.
The upper-level floor was poured in August, a lightweight steel frame is going up and the roof is set to be installed next week.
The construction project has employed about 40 people; 1700 tonnes of dirt have been removed from the site, and 500 cubic metres of concrete has been poured so far, with more to come.
The two-storey building will front Cumberland Street and will allow space for Hunter Valley Police District detectives, the District Superintendent, Highway Patrol and Corrective Services officers to all work under one roof - with room for expansion.
A heritage-listed weatherboard building - which was the original police station in the early 1900s - will remain on site and will house offices, storage and exhibits.
Cessnock Police Station officer-in-charge, Chief Inspector Michael Gorman said it has been exciting to watch the new building's progress.
"It's come on in leaps and bounds," he said.
Chief Inspector Gorman said the new building will house about 100 staff - including 60 general duties police - and will enhance their ability to exchange information and establish relationships.
"To have detectives and proactive crime in same building as general duties will allow officers to seek advice, will make it a lot easier to communicate and get on with business," he said.
Chief Inspector Gorman said he hopes the new, state-of-the-art facility will be able to service Cessnock for at least another 50 years.
"We are here for the people of Cessnock and surrounds, and this station will enable us to continue to do that," he said.
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Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
