Goya Dmytryshchak
Altona’s new $18 million police station is due to open this month despite a planning glitch forcing Victoria Police to rent the property it planned to buy.
The Galvin Street site, at the western end of Civic Parade, will be a 24-hour police station housing the divisional highway patrol along with the uniform section and crime investigation unit from Altona North.
The land is owned by Axxcel Management Services and is part of what’s known as the 73.66-hectare Ajax Road Industrial Subdivision.
Hobsons Bay council said the police station was located on unsubdivided land.
“No subdivision has been approved for the Ajax Road land,” the spokesperson said.
“The police station is located on part of the Ajax Road land that has yet to be subdivided.
“The building permit has been issued by a private building surveyor.
“Private building surveyors are required to provide council with relevant building permit information within seven days of issuing the documents. “Council received a copy of the occupancy permit on 16 June, 2020.”
A Victoria Police spokesman said remaining lease arrangements were being finalised with the landowner.
“[This] will allow Victoria Police to occupy the site as the matter of subdivision is finalised between the landowner and local council,” he said.
“Details on the specifics of these ongoing discussions, including the type and length of the lease arrangement with the landowner, remain between Victoria Police and the landowner.
“Victoria Police has met all of its obligations under the contract for sale of land and continues to support the developer to meet their obligations, including the subdivision.
“Our planning remains focussed on relocating members to the new Altona Station site by the end of June.”
