Turning sod for new Christchurch South police station

 Of all the new police stations with which I have been involved, I must say that none has been the subject of more lobbying than the new station for Christchurch South.

Most of that lobbying has been done by my colleague Jim Anderton, who has been a tireless advocate for better police facilities in Sydenham and Christchurch South generally.

And, as Deputy Commissioner Lyn Provost, who is also here today, will agree, I have been the next most vocal lobbyist, on behalf of Jim, raising the subject of “what’s happening with Sydenham” almost every week at my regular meetings with the police commissioners.

Well, now we know what’s happening, and I am very pleased to be here today to celebrate turning the sod at the site of the new station.

This is a very positive day for policing in Christchurch South, and as well as acknowledging Jim and Lyn, I also want to acknowledge the new Canterbury Police District Commander, Superintendent Dave Cliff, other Christchurch police staff, and representatives of Arrow International and other contractors and consultants.

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Before the turning of the first sod, I want to congratulate everyone whose initiative and determination has seen us reach this point.

I am frequently amazed by how quickly we progress from the turning of the first sod to the reality of new bricks and mortar. It certainly happens far more quickly in policing than it did in my former portfolio of health, where a new hospital frequently took years to complete.

I am confident that early next year the new Christchurch South Police Station will be up and running, and that it will have been built on schedule and within budget as well, something else NZ Police are excellent at managing.

So far, since the Labour-led Government came into office at the end of 1999, we have opened 31 new or refurbished police stations. I look forward to Christchurch South being added to that list, and I believe our investment in new infrastructure for police shows our commitment to creating safe and secure communities all around New Zealand.

There is certainly a demonstrable need for a new station here. The existing Sydenham station was converted from a Police house in 1985. Growth in staff numbers over the years has meant that another building has had to be leased 100m away from the Sydenham station.

I am sure both police staff and the public are looking forward to all Christchurch South policing activities being housed in the one site.

From today the people of Christchurch South will be able to measure real progress on this $7 million project. This budget includes all construction costs, professional fees, Police IT and security requirements and new furniture and fittings.

Arrow International has been appointed as the successful contractor, and I know NZ Police are looking forward to working with them on another successful police property project.

This new station will be a great asset for the future for police staff and for the wider Christchurch South community. And the sooner the first sod is turned, the sooner that asset will become a reality.

Thank you again for inviting me to join you today.