The township of Cygnet is the latest area to benefit from Tasmania Police’s Housing Project.

As part of the project a new four-bedroom police residence has been constructed and will be lived in by the local officer and his family. It’s one of a number of projects being undertaken around the State as part of this scheme.

“The focus of the Police Housing Project is to improve the quality of accommodation for police officers in remote and regional police areas,” said Commissioner of Police Darren Hine.

“Most police houses in these rural and remote areas were built more than 35 years ago and in many cases are in need of replacement or urgent repairs.

“We are selling police houses around the state that are surplus to our requirements and the funds from those sales are then re-invested into improving housing for officers in some remote and regional areas,” Mr Hine said.

The four-bedroom house at Cygnet is energy efficient, carrying a 6.3 star rating, is double glazed  and has a solar hot water system installed.

In addition, the Department of Police and Emergency Management has constructed a new police station at Cygnet. The new energy-efficient Cygnet Police Station features 50 square metres of space, passive solar design and double glazed windows.

Some of the materials from the former station and police residence have been donated to local community groups.

The Police Housing Project is currently constructing a new Police Residence at St Mary’s, as well as renovating the existing St Mary’s Police Flat. In addition, upgrades to the facilities in Smithton and Queenstown will be progressed shortly.  Local builders successfully tendered and were awarded for all projects.

“The Cygnet project is another example of the Police Housing Project at work improving infrastructure for our officers in remote and regional areas,” said Police Minister David O’Byrne.

“It’s important that we continue to attract police officers to rural and remote areas and such facilities allow officers and their families to integrate into local communities,” he said.