Blast-proof police tower for Melbourne CBD

A new blast-proof and ram raid-proof tower in Melbourne CBD will be Victoria Police’s “nerve centre” when construction finishes in 2020.

Victoria Police Minister Lisa Neville said the headquarters at 311 Spencer Street will be next door to City West Police complex, housing 2500 police over 39 storeys. Their current lease at World Trade Centre expires in 2020.

“It is the first purpose-built police headquarters since the 1940s,” Ms Neville said.

“Where the police are currently based, it is across three buildings, it doesn’t have the security measures that we know need to be in place to protect both the police and the community.”

It is partially inspired by New York’s 1 Police Plaza headquarters.

Construction on the CBUS Property and Australia Post project will start in 2017.

Spread across 65,000 square metres, it will house frontline police and investigators in transit and public safety, police safety, road policing and family violence. It will also house state emergencies and security, crime, counter terrorism and intelligence and covert support command.

Neighbourhood Watch will also be offered a space.

Victoria Police will sign up to a 30-year lease, Ms Neville said. She would not say how much it would cost in the end, but said the lease arrangement had been checked by the Valuer General to make sure it offered “value for money”.

“It has no impact on the operating budget of Victoria Police,” she said.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Jack Blayney said the hub would form a focal point of policing in Victoria.

“This brings together all the areas and the complexes that are scattered throughout in the CBD, into one facility,” he said.

“It provides significant benefits to us in regards to the integration of our services to ensure they are coordinated right across the state, and that we can provide the best possible front-line police service to the community.”