23rd October, 2024.
I argue strongly for many things in this place because my community has missed out for too long. I always talk about the 30,000 homes with no sewer, schools or services, which is an awful outcome for a community to contend with. On top of that, we have a community that lives in villages about to be filled with infill developments, but still has no services. Letters fired off from council by countless mayors have led to nothing. The election of members on both sides of politics at both the State and Federal level has also led to nothing. While I feel that we may have had great success with the Picton bypass promise and planned construction, we need schools and other State services. It is time that the State plans for the future, not just cleans up what we are left with from the past.
That brings me to tonight's topic. Picton Police Station, on Argyle Street, is next to the historic courthouse. It is underutilised to the point that, when I visited with the Premier and we knocked on the door, no-one answered. Adjoining the station are two additional buildings that have been closed for many years due to asbestos. One of the most expensive pieces of real estate in Picton sits dormant. The station is merely a stop point for breaks for police vehicles that drive through our area from the central police area command, or PAC, at Narellan. On a good day a decade ago it may have taken 20 minutes door to door to Picton. Now that we have traffic and additional intersections at Spring Farm, the journey can be 30 to 40 minutes. In the north of my electorate the story in Warragamba and The Oaks is the same. Both stations are little houses that have small phones with a blue button that rings the police. To be honest, a Telstra phone box would be more useful.
Wollondilly is in dire need of a police area command so that officers are central and do not need to drive long distances between jobs and my people do not need to wait to get help. Fortunately, we have the land in Picton. The police own the corner precinct adjoining the commercial land. The building could be a few storeys higher and, if it was set back, it would not look too bad. It would certainly be less of an eyesore than the council-planned government services building they are constructing in the same block, which is four storeys high. The police block also has access to Margaret Street and the car park adjoining IGA behind the courthouse. It would be suitable to house the vehicles required for the PAC. The town would benefit from the business provided by the officers, and the community would feel safer with the permanent 24‑hour access provided by the PAC in Wollondilly. It is an opportunity worth taking, and that the Government must consider it.
I understand the complexities of government and I know things take time. However, I can only judge the Government on the basis of my experience with it. While I have been very happy with my engagement with the Premier and much of the Cabinet, the action or inaction of some departments has made that relationship difficult, particularly in this instance. I have written to the Minister and met with the Government to discuss the matter. The union is supportive and the police want it to go ahead as soon as possible. The hold-up is not from lack of information or data; at present, the delay rests with the Minister.
I get upset with politicians who are unnecessarily alarmist. While I do not mean to bring alarm to the House or my community by mentioning the matter, we have needs and crime is increasing, along with development. Without police, that increase in crime must be the fault of someone. I look forward to receiving a reply and seeing action from the Government. I have faith that good people in good places can lead to good things. It is time for the Government to do the right thing and support the police, the union and my community by giving Wollondilly its own PAC in Picton. I am still waiting for the information that I was promised a couple of months ago.