Police residence ‘to stay’ at Port

Jessica Benton
PORTARLINGTON will keep its police residence despite a review earlier this year recommending its sale, according to state command.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the house was now “not on any list” for closure or sale.
The spokesperson said the house would remain as full-time accommodation for police at Portarlington.
The Independent reported in January that a Victoria Police review had earmarked 45 country police residences for closure, including the Portarlington residence.
The review ruled the homes “surplus to requirements”.
Victoria Police needed State Government approval to sell the homes.
A spokesperson for Minister for Police and Emergency Services Bob Cameron said Victoria Police had not lodged the proposal with State Government.
“We haven’t heard anything more about the sale of the residences,” he said.
“I’m aware that of the 45 proposed residences, one or two were ruled out for closure and a bunch of them were included because brand new residences had been built.”
Portarlington Community Association president Monica Hayes welcomed the confirmation her town would keep the police house.
“It’s great news to hear Portarlington’s police house is not on the list,” she said.
“Certainly, any opportunity to maintain the residence is fantastic.”
However, Ms Hayes said the house was set for a new tenant.
The officer in residence would relocate in August, so police command might make the house available to another officer, she said.
Ms Hayes had feared closure and sale of the house would have damaged the force’s “relationship” with residents.
After release of the review she told the Independent that the presence of the house at Portarlington meant at least one serving officer was “a part of the community”.
Loss of the residence would have heightened insecurity among Portarling-ton’s demographic of many aged residents and single parents, Ms Hayes said.