No home for new police station

By Casey Neill
A PROPOSAL for Pepi’s Paddock to house Emerald’s new police station has been undermined by the town’s MP.
Brad Battin said the site is unsuitable, leaving speculation rife about just where the station will end up.
“Cardinia Shire Council has plans for the future of Pepi’s land for community and recreation programs,” the Gembrook MP said.
“The state government support the council in its endeavours to offer more community activities.”
This month’s State Budget announcement included cash to buy land for a new Emerald station to accommodate extra officers, which would be open 24 hours a day by June 2014.
Peter Nodin was an original Save Emerald Police Station Action Group member in 2000.
“It’s exciting that we’ve (the town) finally been recognised,” he said.
Mr Nodin said Pepi’s Paddock, on Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, would be a great spot for the station and, because the state government handed it over to the shire in 1998, the council should give some of it back for the project.
“It’s not central to town but it’s a good open spot,” he said.
Mr Nodin said there was limited land available in Emerald, and the only other available location was at the end of Emerald-Beaconsfield Road as people entered the town.
He said other residents agreed with his suggestion, but the shire had shot down the idea.
Council spokesman Paul Dunlop said: “Council has not been approached about the relocation of the police station at Emerald.”
Emerald Township Committee welcomed plans for the new station and increased police presence in the town, but were concerned about where it would be located.
Chairman Hamish Russell said the current station was close to the main shopping precinct, which protected traders and shoppers.
“We’ll wait with interest for further information,” he said.
Ranges Ward councillor Graeme Legge agreed the project’s challenge was finding a new site if the current position was deemed unsuitable.