The often derided Brutalist facade of Newcastle Police Station is set for a facelift as part of a $6.5m upgrade of the building.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott announced the upgrades at the station on Thursday, which involve improvements to the ground floor of the Watt and Church streets building.
"This $6.5million upgrade will see a new facade, it will see improved areas and office areas for the officers and of course it will make sure that the experience that the members of the public have when they interact with police is a lot less stressful," Mr Elliott said.
A principal design consultant has been appointed for the project and design works are now underway, which include a proposal to relocate the building entrance from Church Street to Watt Street.
Construction is earmarked for completion in 2023.
Newcastle City Police commander Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said there had not been any substantial upgrades to the building since 1983 when police first moved in to the premises.
While concept images of the design were not available on Thursday, Mr Elliott said he believed any improvements to the Brutalist style building would be well received.
"Newcastle is an historical town and I think sometimes when we government departments are making such brutal buildings it has never fit in well with the surrounds," he said.
"When you look at the heritage listed terrace houses across the road I can only apologise on behalf of the architect and the police force of 1983."
Superintendent Humphrey said the upgrades would improve the experience for both members of the public who visit in traumatic circumstances and the officers who work from the building
"It will make the working environment for the police of this command a much more pleasant place," he said.
Mr Elliott said the interaction between police and the public needed to be "front of mind" for a modern police force.
"Because people do come in here traumatised," the Minister said.
Police Minister David Elliott discussing the brutalist style facade of Newcastle Police Station, which will be improved through a $6.5 million upgrade to the building @newcastleheraldpic.twitter.com/9wxxiKefu0
— Sage Swinton (@sageswinton) October 27, 2021
"The inside will be an area which will be a lot more accommodating, a lot more welcoming and will certainly be an area where safety is front of mind.
"We've got to make sure when police do bring in people that aren't necessarily polite to members of the public and police that they're easily managed.
"When you do an upgrade of this size you don't miss an opportunity to get the maximum benefit from the floor space."
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said it was a welcome investment in regional policing.
"Newcastle in particular is obviously a very busy, dynamic part of the region," he said.
"It's one of our busiest centres, so to have this announcement today is very, very welcomed by the police so they can go on and do their duties as professionally as always but with the most up to date resources as possible."
