GRANT District Council will again lobby the State Government for the reinstatement of a permanent police officer at Kalangadoo Police Station.
This follows correspondence with Police Minister Corey Wingard, who revealed the station will remain closed indefinitely until a state-wide review of regional police service delivery is completed.
In a letter received by council, Mr Wingard said the outcome of the SAPOL review was “not yet known”.
“The Kalangadoo Police Station will remain closed to the public at this time,” Mr Wingard wrote.
“The area will continue to be policed by staff stationed at Millicent and Penola.”
Cr Shirley Little foreshadowed a “disappointing” outcome following the review.
“Only a few years ago they completely revamped the station – what an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money,” Cr Little said.
“I do not think any correspondence we write is likely to change the outcome, it seems the decision has already been made.”
Mayor Richard Sage argued there was still an opportunity to “have another conversation” with the minister.
“I think it’s time that as a region we stand up and say we require a police presence in these outlying areas,” Mr Sage said.
“Stock losses are escalating and it is because we have not got that vigilance out there.
“I think we should go back again to our local member and see what we can do to help voice our objection to the proposal to reduce policing across our area.”
Cr Graham Slarks said the potential closure reflected a broader issue.
“This is another contraction – if we look at any progressive government in Australia, they are all moving jobs out to regional areas,” he said.
“We are the only state that is going backwards.
“There are a number of services they should be moving out here, but we are seeing the opposite.”
Council resolved to write to Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell regarding the contraction of State Government services in regional areas and to write a follow-up letter to the police minister regarding the closure of Kalangadoo Police Station.
