Police tape is being used to restrict access to areas of public safety concern at Mathoura Police Station.
One key local issue has been missing from the debate heading into the NSW Murray election, according to Murray River Councillor Tom Weyrich.
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Cr Weyrich said a new police station for Moama has rightfully been an election platform this year, but he said it was about time a new Mathoura station was also formally discussed.
The Mathoura-based councillor - who had intended to stand at this election, but was unable to complete the registration criteria in time - approached the Pastoral Times this week after hearing unconfirmed reports the Mathoura station has been “condemned”.
The speculation has been fuelled by the fact police tape has been used to restrict entry through one of the station’s entry gates, and to its verandah over the past few weeks.
Murray River Police District Inspector Paul Huggett refuted reports of the building being condemned, saying the station is “fully operational”.
Police tape is being used to restrict access to areas of public safety concern at Mathoura Police Station.
He did ask his team to install the police tape to block access to areas of concern.
“The tape is there to help divert people away,” Insp Huggett said.
“The hand railings have failed, and jobs have also been logged for other works.
“We ask that anyone needing to access the station go via the driveway entrance.
“And as they approach the front door we urge them to avoid using the railing until we can get this rectified.”
Cr Weyrich said the growth of Mathoura itself, and of its nearest communities of Deniliquin and Moama, necessitated a better station in Mathoura.
He said this would also allow for a greater police presence in the community.
But Cr Weyrich said his understanding is that the capabilities of the Mathoura station are so depleted it does not even have the facilities to house detainees.
“None of the pollies have really even mentioned policing this election, and I can’t help thinking we are being ignored by all the political parties,” he said.
“Mathoura’s population is on the increase, as is Moama’s and Deniliquin’s, and it is time we look seriously at a new station for Mathoura.”
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