The announcement comes after a relentless campaign of advocacy from Committee for Echuca Moama over the past two years in partnership with Member for Murray Helen Dalton.
“This is a huge win for Moama and the local region,” C4EM chief executive Nina O'Brien said.
“The NSW Government have finally listened to the concerns of the local community. We want to see shovels in the dirt by Christmas.”
The announcement follows the move by Murray River Council in early March to convert the portion of land between the RFS shed and Francis St intersection in Moama from community land to operational land.
The provision of land at a minimal cost to the state has also helped advance the construction of the new station.“Band-Aids were not likely to fix the woes of the current Moama Police Station,” Ms O'Brien said.
“It was never intended for use as an operational base for daily policing. The local police do a great job in the highly sub-standard facilities that are well below what is considered reasonable by today's workplace standards.”
Ms O'Brien said copious letters to the NSW Police Minister, questions on notice in parliament, visits by shadow ministers and co-ordinated meetings with the local police inspector, Local Area Commander and the NSW Police Association, along with a sustained media campaign has now resulted in an outcome.
“Real progress is achieved when state and local government work in genuine partnership with local stakeholders for the broader benefit of the local community,” she said.
“It highlights the crucial role that regional newspapers such as the Riverine Herald play in emphasising issues of concern for country communities.
“Local papers provide regional people with a strong voice to the government. Without a reliable, balanced source of news, regional communities will be cast adrift into a sea of misinformation and hearsay.
“The Riverine Herald has been instrumental in helping us raise the profile of the issue at a local, regional and state level.”Ms O'Brien said C4EM would continue to hold the NSW Government accountable for a firm start date and timeline for the Moama Police Station project.
“C4EM wish to thank their valued members who provide the financial support to enable this important advocacy work to take place,” she said.