
The first sod has been turned on Stage 1 of the highly anticipated Kirwan Police Precinct, marking the commencement of construction for this state-of-the-art community safety project in North Queensland.
The precinct, believed to be a national first, will deliver a new, modern police station and a nation-leading police academy, co-located on the same site.
The facilities will also accommodate specialist police functions, including the Youth Co-Responder Team, Rapid Action Patrol Group, and Tactical Crime Squad.
Police Minister Mark Ryan and Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski joined local MPs at the site to officially kick off the project, which is expected to be a game-changer for policing in the region.
Stage 1 of the project involves the relocation of the current Kirwan police station and the co-location of several critical police teams within a modern, purpose-built facility. These include:
- Townsville Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) & Victim Protection Unit (VPU) and High-Risk Team
- Youth Co-Responder Team (YCRT)
- Townsville District Tactical Crime Squad
- Townsville Rapid Action Patrol Group (RAP)
- Stronger Communities Action Group
- The new Townsville PoliceLink
This stage is expected to be delivered on time, as committed, by mid-2025.
Stage 2 of the project, which includes the construction of the new Police Academy, has also been allocated $100 million in the upcoming State Budget.
Tenders for this stage are expected to be called by the end of the year to ensure the entire precinct project is delivered as soon as possible.
The new Academy will significantly increase training capacity for police recruits, a crucial development as Queensland leads the nation in police recruitment.
This month alone, over 600 recruits are in training at Queensland’s Police Academies, with over 2,000 applicants in the police recruit pipeline.
Minister Mark Ryan emphasised the project’s significance, stating: “This state-of-the-art facility was designed with extensive evaluation and consultation, with the primary focus on ensuring the delivery of modern policing.”
Commissioner Steve Gollschewski highlighted the precinct’s importance for the Queensland Police Service, saying: “Building a world-class training facility in North Queensland will help ensure we are equipping our recruits and officers with contemporary training experiences.”
Local MPs Aaron Harper, Les Walker, and Scott Stewart also expressed their support for the project, emphasising its importance for community safety and the Queensland Police Service.
With construction now underway, the Kirwan Police Precinct is set to become a landmark facility, providing state-of-the-art resources and training opportunities for police officers in North Queensland.