The next stage of upgrades to the heritage-listed Tea Gardens Police Station will begin on Monday, meaning the facility is expected to be closed for 12 days.
Officers usually based at Tea Gardens will be stationed at Karuah, about 20km away, but the Newcastle Herald understands officers in cars will remain in the Myall River town to be on hand if needed.
It is the latest step in a project that has been at the centre of well-documented controversy over what the state government promised and what was delivered.
The second stage is expected to include refurbishments on both the interior and exterior of the pre-existing station building, including repainting the outside as well as other upgrades that stay within the boundaries of the structure's heritage requirements.
Work will begin on Monday and is set to be completed by July 31.
Police said signs would be hung around the work site to alert people of the temporary closure and how they can contact police during the period.
Port Stephens-Hunter commander Acting Superintendent Alan Janson said on Friday the almost two-week closure of the station did not mean access to police would drop for Tea Gardens residents.
A statement from police this week said there would be no change in staffing levels is expected during the temporary shutdown.
"Our officers normally stationed at Tea Gardens will simply relocate for the 12-day period to Karuah Police Station, to allow contractors access to the station," Acting Superintendent Janson said.
"We want to assure the Tea Gardens community that your level of service will not change, we are still present in the area and here to protect the public 24-7, 365 days a year."
The latest step in upgrades comes after the first phase was heavily criticised earlier this year by some in the community and the NSW Police Association.
The criticism centred on the argument that the windowless demountable building placed at the back of the existing station was not fit for purpose and that the police union had not been consulted on the project.
The Newcastle Herald reported in March that NSW Police said the Tea Gardens project would provide a "refreshed workspace with upgraded IT, security and amenities in the existing building as well as a new modular unit permanently attached to the existing police station building".
"The use of modular construction methodology minimises interruption to operational policing, with on-site activities completed in a fraction of the time," NSW Police previously said.
Tea Gardens residents can reach police on the following numbers from July 20-31
- Karuah Police Station: 4997 5544
- Raymond Terrace Police Station: 4983 7599
- Police Assistance Line: 131 444
- Emergencies: 000
