Lower Hunter Policing

Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie) [1.59 p.m.]: The Lower Hunter, as a geographic and demographic region, encompasses the local government areas of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock. The problems of policing this broad area are fairly common across the local area commands. At the time I was first elected to serve as the member for Lake Macquarie, the New South Wales Police Association was in the throes of a campaign to win an increase in staff numbers for the Lake Macquarie local area command. I was pleased to assist in the association's just demands for increased numbers, resulting in the Lake Macquarie local area command being bolstered by the addition of 20 general duties officers and three detectives. These positions were filled above authorised strength and no moves have yet been made to establish the positions permanently.

While the increased staffing was welcome, it was not a complete solution for the local area. The ratio of police to population is still well below that of similar electorates and about only half of the State average. A similar situation exists across the Lower Hunter and a more equitable allocation of resources is required for the region. Lake Macquarie police are often near breaking point as they struggle with a geographically difficult command area, substandard station premises, and what I believe to be one of the lowest, if not the lowest, police-to-population ratios in the State. Last year's modest increase in police numbers has not changed the reality of high workloads and stress. A most serious issue for this command has been the loss due to suicide of two officers in recent times. I know that this impacted heavily on members of the command. While there may have been personal factors involved, it is clear that our police carry the burden of responsibility of their job into their personal lives and that any stress within the workplace can impact heavily on them and their families. These losses were tragic and show just how much our officers need our support.

Lake Macquarie's police are hardworking and diligent, but they are often at the limit of their capacity. Often the officers are in an invidious situation whereby they must make tough choices about which incidents to respond to. The area is still understaffed and the working conditions and facilities are still inadequate. The office premises used by the local area command in Boolaroo are an old house and demountables that are woefully inadequate, as are stations at Toronto and Belmont, in the Swansea electorate. It is hard to believe that facilities such as these could be provided to a modern police force in a State such as New South Wales. No other State agency would be forced to operate from such poor office space. It would be unfair not to acknowledge improvements. In Lake Macquarie we received additional officers last year and I believe the command is currently at 21 officers above authorised strength. The command will also soon see capital improvements proceed at Charlestown. Regionally, the creation of the Port Stephens local area command is a significant step and the Government and new Northern Region Commander Lee Shearer should be acknowledged and congratulated on their attempt to respond to local concerns and needs.

The member for Port Stephens has been a strong advocate for this new command and he should also be recognised for his efforts. I have some sympathy with him about the lack of recognition by the Government in announcing this new command. I was treated similarly when additional officers were announced for the Lake Macquarie local area command in June 2007. I note that all local members in our region have an ongoing interest in policing and I am sure that we will work cooperatively in the best interests of our communities. Similar problems exist across the Lower Hunter and they must be resolved by the provision of appropriate facilities and staffing levels. I have a high regard for Commander Lee Shearer and look forward to seeing further improvements to police numbers and resources in our region, particularly in Lake Macquarie. I thank the member for Maitland, who last week raised policing in the Hunter as a matter of public importance. Whilst I recognise and thank the Government for the improvements it has recently made, we still have a long way to go. I repeat my previous calls for the provision of equitable staffing levels for the region and improved facilities for the officers serving there.

Question—That private members' statements be noted—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Private members' statements noted.

[The Deputy-Speaker left the chair at 2.03 p.m. The House resumed at 2.15 p.m.]