By ERIKA ALLEN
GIPPSLAND could be home to Victoria’s second Regional Police Academy to train and retain recruits in Gippsland.
Wellington Shire Council has pitched the former TAFE centre at West Sale as a site with potential.
Wellington Shire Mayor, Cindy Madeley, said the academy could be a “transformational investment” for the area.
Envisaged to open in late 2027 or early 2028, the police academy would initially offer training as a one-year pilot program.
Victoria Police announced Mildura as the first location in its Regional Police Academy program earlier this year. Recruits will begin training there in January next year, undertaking the same training offered at the Victoria Police Academy in Melbourne, before taking up positions in regional Victoria.
The state government announced in July its intention to establish the second academy in Gippsland. Sale is one of six major towns in the catchment area, including Churchill, Morwell, Traralgon, Wonthaggi and Warragul.
Keeping recruits closer to home and connected to their local communities is driving the need for these academies.
“Regional training is among a range of initiatives Victoria Police is implementing to streamline the recruitment and training process as well as retain existing police,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“Victoria Police analysis shows the location of its Glen Waverley academy is a barrier for potential regional applicants.
“Providing opportunities for training near where aspiring police live will help increase applications and the attractiveness of the role.”
The spokesperson said scoping work to finalise the exact location is underway.
Wellington Shire Council will officially register its interest to host the academy to the Premier and relevant ministers after a notice of motion gained the support of all councillors at last week’s ordinary council meeting.
The shire has been developing a masterplan to reinvigorate and attract investment in the West Sale Airport in recent years, and councillor Madeley described the site as a “strong candidate” for the academy.
The councillor said the existing buildings, once used for TAFE training, could be adapted to support a training campus, recruit accommodation and operational training facilities with future expansion potential.
“The establishment of a Regional Policy Academy in Gippsland presents a significant opportunity to strengthen workforce development, support local employment outcomes and improve the attraction and retention of police officers in regional Victoria,” Cr Madeley said.
“This is an important advocacy piece for us at Wellington Shire Council. We’re very passionate about this one … and it will obviously strengthen West Sale Airport as a strategic regional asset.”
Council’s proposal will form part of its advocacy efforts leading into November’s state election.
The Victoria Police spokesperson said, “Further details on the regional academy at Gippsland will be announced once finalised”.
