SOUTH Australia Police has refused to rule out whether Kalangadoo police station will be permanently closed following a statewide regional review of policing services.
A SAPOL spokesperson said there were no plans to close the station “at this time”, but did say a review was being undertaken.
According to sources, the review will recommend closure of the Kalangadoo Police Station and seek to replace the full-time Beachport police officer with a seasonal position.
Grant District and Wattle Range councils have sought reassurance from Police Minister Chris Picton, State Liberal leader Steven Marshall and Member for MacKillop Mitch Williams the permanent police officer positions will remain at the single officer stations.
It is understood the review will also seek the consolidation of the Millicent-based detective to Mount Gambier and remove the permanent posting of SAPOL at the Noorla Yo-Long outdoor adventure site.
Liberal candidate for MacKillop Nick McBride referred to a previous pledge from Shadow Police Minister Stephan Knoll to retain the Kalangadoo station.
“Personally, I fully appreciate the benefit of having local police in local towns,” he said.
“It creates an air of community with the engagement and I think the opportunity is lost when the police officer leaves.”
Australian Conservatives candidate for MacKillop Richard Bateman denounced any move to close services, saying the party would increase police budgets if elected to parliament.
“The current staffing of single officer police stations needs to be maintained throughout the Limestone Coast,” he said.
“They provide a deterrent to the setting up of drug labs within their communities and they also provide important cover and back-up for officers in neighbouring towns, given the long distances in between.”
Mr Bateman supported an expansion to the Noorla Yo-Long outdoor adventure site to further enhance the scope of the program.
“This type of facility should serve as a template for helping troubled youth around the country and should not be seen as a cost cutting exercise,” he said.
SA-Best candidate Tracy Hill said the closure of country stations “flies in the face of promises made in the city” about an increase of policing numbers.
“If it is good enough in the city then so it should be in the regions,” she said.
“Considering the distances between towns in the Limestone Coast, trying to get a timely response by pulling officers from major regional towns would be unacceptable.”
Independent candidate for MacKillop Jon Ey said he would not allow for any reduction in numbers.
“As part of my policy on the fight against drugs, I proposed the setting up of a task force to tackle the problem, leaving local officers to get on with their jobs,” he said.
“For this strategy to work, the local force must remain intact.”
