Dubbo’s reputation as the emergency services hub of regional NSW has been given another boost, with significant funding towards a planned police training facility part of this week’s NSW Budget.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said $24.6 million has been allocated to the project, which is valued at $35 million, this financial year.
“It’s been over two years since this project was announced for the site at Dubbo Regional Airport, and this funding in the Budget is a sign that significant work will be undertaken in the next 12 months,” Mr Saunders said.
“A total of $1.37 million has already been allocated to the project to get design and planning work completed, and now the physical work of constructing the facility will be undertaken.
“As well as being a location for the training of officers, it means additional police resources will be in Dubbo and able to serve the community if needed.”
The facility will include Modern Active Armed Offender training, a live firing range, digital learning platforms, simulation suites and agile lecture facilities, creating an essential infrastructure base to support specialist instructors to deliver probationary, mandatory, fundamental, specialist and leadership training for front line police officers.
It will complement the NSW Rural Fire Service training complex, as well as the NSW State Emergency Service and the Volunteer Rescue Association, which are located in the precinct.
“By the time we’re finished we will have the police, RFS, SES and VRA all based at the airport, which is great for our region as it means we will be the epicentre for emergency service training across regional NSW,” Mr Saunders said.