Rod Ritchie, CARA president
Residents are being encouraged to have their say on the new Cooroy police station that is now in its planning stage.
A recent Queensland Police Service presentation on the new station was attended by Cooroy Area Residents Association (CARA) members and residents who raised a number of issues.
People wanted to know if the old house could be moved to another location and repurposed, whether the old station or would be demolished and whether the cell block would be relocated.
They asked if the new station would impact on the present roundabout or future work on the railway overpass. And they wanted to ensure the external appearance would be in character with the hinterland town.
QPS responded to their queries at the meeting.
The departmental architects present agreed that the new police station should complement Cooroy’s rural character and made arrangements to view the Cooroy Hotel’s renovations plans, in order to complement the pub’s new look, which is country style, with verandahs. The Dayboro Police Station is being used as a model for Cooroy’s new station.
Residents were told the old house would have to be moved to another location or demolished, to make room for the much larger station and parking. While it would be possible to move and renovate it, the building is in very poor condition and would be costly to repair, they said.
The cell block, which is heritage listed, will stay where it is and be included in the Heritage Walk.
The present police station will be demolished, as it was described as a very ‘sick’ building, involving asbestos, old wiring and plumbing.
The location will not affect future work on the railway overpass, but there are no plans for work on the overpass at the moment.
According to Department Transport Main Roads, the roundabout will not be affected.
The Community Consultation period on the project closes 29 July, so any suggestions on the design of the new station and a use for the old building on the corner should be emailed to CARA secretary, Julia Walkden, at caracooroy@yahoo.com and they will pass your comments and suggestions on to Cooroy Police officer in charge Mal Scott.
