Police station upgrade vow

PREMIER Morris Iemma has announced funding for upgrades to Kiama Police Station and a new gymnasium at Kiama High School.

But despite pledging half a million dollars to refurbish the police station, neither Mr Iemma nor Labor MP Matt Brown could guarantee more police would be assigned to Kiama.

In contrast, Liberal candidate Ann Sudmalis has already promised to keep the station manned 24 hours a day if her party wins the March 24 election.

Last month, Mr Iemma announced a commitment to train an additional 750 NSW police officers if Labor was re-elected.

This came after an increase of the same number to the force in January.

Mr Brown said that of this extra contingent, just 22 officers were assigned to the Lake Illawarra Area Command, which covers the Kiama region.

But he said there was no way he could guarantee that because the police commissioner determined where police were assigned.

"I will continue [lobbying] to try to get even more here," he said.

Improvements likely to be made to the police station under the Labor promise include CCTV, better lighting and fencing and electrical upgrades.

"We will consult with the police and the police association in the process of the remodelling to ensure Kiama police have the best working space possible," Mr Iemma said.

Kiama High School has met the Government"s criteria for a new gymnasium. The school was built more than 50 years ago.

Mr Iemma said the gym"s construction was not yet costed because it needed to first go out to tender.

The premier also announced security fences would be installed around the high school, Kiama Public School and Minamurra Public School.

This is part of an ongoing upgrade to school security across the State.

The South Coast region will share in $1.8 million for these improvements.

Also part of the Government"s overall South Coast plan is the construction of a new after-hours general practice clinic at Shoalhaven hospital. Mr Iemma said this would improve services to the South Coast and cut waiting times for people who might otherwise attend the hospital emergency department.