The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) is appalled by the ongoing accommodation issues at the City Police Station, which include raw sewerage leaking inside the building.
AFPA President Alex Caruana has urged ACT Policing members to vacate City Station, citing its worsening conditions and persistent failures.
“For years, I have called on the ACT Government to address the serious accommodation challenges faced by ACT Policing, yet these concerns continue to be ignored.
“No one should be forced to work in an environment contaminated by raw sewage, with faeces and urine seeping through the building.
“Just last night (Tuesday, 11 March 2025), another incident occurred—only weeks after the last—highlighting the recurring nature of the problem. The ACT Watch House has also faced ongoing sewage issues,” Mr Caruana said.
Addressing these workplace hazards remains a top priority for the AFPA. As the landlord, the ACT Government and Minister Paterson must act with urgency.
Mr Caruana condemned the ACT Government for neglecting ACT Policing members and being slow to follow through on its commitments.
“The ACT Government promised ACT Policing the full Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre years ago, yet members are still waiting.
“A new City Police Station cannot be delayed another five years or more. The Winchester Police Centre has been ‘unfit for purpose’ for years, yet the only response has been superficial—new carpet and fresh paint to repair water damage caused by years of water ingress—while the underlying problems remain unresolved. The building still leaks when it rains, a long-standing issue that continues to create a hazardous work environment.
“Woden Police Station’s faulty air-conditioning continues to affect members’ health, and an AFP training building used by ACT Policing members in Fyshwick remains closed due to asbestos concerns.
“The ACT Government must start respecting and looking after the people who keep the community safe—ACT Policing members. This neglect is unacceptable. If any ACT Policing-occupied building poses a work health and safety risk, the AFPA will explore legal options to impose a provisional improvement notice and shut it down.
“The ACT Government must do better regarding ACT Policing accommodation,” Mr Caruana said.
For comments:
AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager Troy Roberts – (02) 6285 1677 – troy.r@afpa.org.au
