The new Dunalley Police Station and residence are now complete and open today for community inspection.

The former station and residence were destroyed in the January 2013 bushfires.

The unique architecturally designed stations fronts the Arthur Highway and is highly visible to residents and tourists travelling to Dunalley and the Tasman Peninsula.

The new four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence is located next door to the station.

Since the fires the two Dunalley-based police officers, Constables Danny Jackson and David McKenzie, have been working out of the Dunalley Fire and Ambulance Station.

One officer has been living in rented accommodation and will move into the newly completed residence in the coming days. The other officer will continue to live in the 2012-built police residence in Dunalley.

Commissioner Darren Hine said:

“We wanted community members to have a chance to look at the new station and residence as people in this area, have a keen interest in what we do.

“It’s so important for officers in regional communities to live in the communities they police.

“It helps build understanding, trust and confidence in what we do.”

The station that was destroyed in the fires was a demountable building with no running water or amenities. It was moved to Dunalley in 2012 and was always meant to be a temporary station.

The residence that was destroyed was a 1950s-built weatherboard building.

“The new station is a modern and fit-for-purpose facility for the people of Dunalley and the Tasman Peninsula,” Mr Hine added.

“It’s located on the highway so that it is a visible reassurance of our presence in the area and a deterrent to crime.”