WA Police, the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and the Western Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) will officially open the Blackstone Multi-Functional Police Facility (MFPF) at 10am on Wednesday 7 October 2009.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mick Burnby and representatives from FaHCSIA and DIA will be joined by the Hon Ken Baston MLC and Elders from Blackstone, Jameson and Wingellina Communities to officially open the facility which has been operating since April 2009.
Blackstone is a Central Desert community located between Jameson and Wingellina, providing policing services to the 520 permanent residents of these communities.
The MFPF will also accommodate officers from the Department of Child Protection and the Department of Attorney General.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mick Burnby said “The Multi-Functional Police Facility will enable the police officers stationed there to ensure this community’s safety and security.”
“Since starting to work in the community the officers have received lots of positive feedback from the community. The community seems to be more relaxed, there’s a greater sense of security and overall it is a more peaceful place to live.”
DIA Director General Patrick Walker said the Blackstone MFPF was the first of three such facilities to be established under a Memorandum of Understanding between FaHCSIA and DIA.
“The Commonwealth Government allocated $20 million for capital works, DIA program-managed its construction and the Western Australian Government will fund its ongoing operating costs,” he said.
“Through this collaborative effort with the Indigenous residents, Western Australia is investing in safe and secure communities, an essential aspect of Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage.”
