Gunnedah police officers can look forward to a new $5.5 million station by the end of 2018 after plans for the long-anticipated rebuild were revealed today.

Officers have described the existing station as “dangerous” and “outdated”, backed by Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson describing it as “substandard”.

Our region’s police officers are there to protect our community. 

It’s only fair we protect them by providing them with the infrastructure and resources needed to do so.

Construction is expected to begin in June.

In another win, the region’s paramedics have made ground in their fight to reverse their reduced death and disability cover. 

New England paramedics joined a statewide campaign, Zero One Code One, in September in response to dramatic changes to the paramedic death and disability pension, which cut entitlements to 75 per cent of a pay packet for just two years.

When NSW Premier Mike Baird suddenly stepped down in January, paramedics feared it could plunge their fight for better protection into jeopardy. 

But his successor, Gladys Berejiklian, has come out and said she remains committed to providing increased death and disability cover to paramedics.

Though discussions are ongoing with an announcement of options expected in “the near future”, local Health Services Union representatives believe the new policy “will be bigger and better than what we had before”. 

Paramedics and police work tirelessly and around the clock to help us in our darkest hours. 

Both frontline services are often first on scene at horrific car accidents and first to help when things go awry.

They see unshakable sights – many of which are our worst nightmares – every single day and night. 

They can often put their own life in danger in a bid to save another. 

That is why it is of utmost importance both police and paramedics get the resources and protection they need. 

It is pleasing to see Ms Berejiklian working with stakeholders to present a range of options to improve cover for paramedics – and Mr Anderson for delivering on his election promise to upgrade Gunnedah police station.