The ageing and outdated station on Park Street will be knocked down and replaced with a building four or five times its size on the same site.

Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll said the new station was much needed.

The current building was designed for two or three officers, but eight members now work from the site.

There are no cells and police and those arrested must share one toilet.

Prisoners need to be transported to Wangaratta or Myrtleford after being arrested. 

“There will be a police operations room that will be dedicated to coordinating responses to emergencies, including search and rescue operations,” Senior Sergeant Incoll said.

“There will also be a holding room which would be handy for events like the hot rod run as we wouldn’t have to bring portable cells up from Melbourne.

“It will be a great advantage to the community and the police.”

Officers often run search and rescue operations in the region, particularly to rescue people lost in the snow or stranded while bushwalking. 

Police will operate out of the North East Water building in Churchill Avenue while the new station is built.

The building will need security upgrades and facilities like gun safes installed before it can be used.

Senior Sergeant Incoll said the design of the new station was being worked through.

“I’ve been calling for the new station for probably 10 years,” he said.

“It has been a state priority in the past, but subsequent governments change priorities.

“We’re lucky enough to have been identified by the current government that it’s in dire need of replacing and we’ve been funded.”

The state government announced plans in April to rebuild the Bright station at a cost of $3.25 million. 

Corryong station will also be replaced at a cost of $3.21 million.  

Benalla will be one of 15 stations refurbished across the state. 

At the time of the funding announcement, member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the funding would allow police to better protect the communities and address issues with crime.