Helensburgh Police Station under threat of neglect
The present police station and court house complex was erected in 1902 at a cost of 1600 pounds on the corner of Parkes and Waratah streets. Standing on a reserve proclaimed on 13 February 1892, the building originally contained a courtroom, quarters for the resident police, two cells and an exercis
By Jenny Donohoe, researcher at Helensburgh Historical Society
The present police station and court house complex was erected in 1902 at a cost of 1600 pounds on the corner of Parkes and Waratah streets. Standing on a reserve proclaimed on 13 February 1892, the building originally contained a courtroom, quarters for the resident police, two cells and an exercise yard. In the paddock at the back was a single staff stable and forage room, later used in part as a motor cycle garage.
Helensburgh police station began as part of the old Eastern District, which was abolished in April 1933. The station was then incorporated into a reorganised Metropolitan District until April 1955, when it was included in a new South Coast District, with headquarters at Wollongong. In October 1965 it again became part of the Metropolitan District but since 1 March,1974 the station has been reincorporated into the South Coast District. (Source: Article from The Wollongong Northern News, vol 1, no 5, 28 October 1983)
The Helensburgh Historical Society and the Helensburgh Men’s Shed are both interested in preserving a piece of Helensburgh history that is under threat from neglect. This building is unique – not many police stations can claim their own courthouse complete with lock-ups. The Historical Society for a long number of years has been lobbying for access to the building – to create a museum-come-information centre or whatever the community wants.
The Helensburgh Men’s Shed contacted the society regarding the property with ideas for relocating their activities. With the two societies in need of accommodation for historical and community needs, we are proposing to meet with representatives to make a claim on behalf of the community to put in caretakers to stop the neglect and disregard for an important asset of the Helensburgh community.
Read it next: What happens when a community asset is neglected? Find out in the May Neighbourhood Forum 1 report by convenor Warwick Erwin.
Note: An earlier version of this story featured a historic image of the old Police Station, which has been removed to avoid confusion.
