By MELISSA MEEHAN
RUMOURS questioning the future of the Monbulk police station have been quashed, with both candidates confirming their plans to keep it open.
Whispers and rumours have circled the town recently that the station would be closed, thanks to two super stations, in Belgrave and Emerald, being built.
But in meetings with the Mail last week, Monbulk Labor candidate James Merlino and Monbulk Liberal candidate Mark Verschuur both confirmed their support to keep the station open.
“Over my dead body,” was the response of Mr Verschuur when the rumours were put to him.
“It’s very important to keep it, it’s important to have old-fashioned policing working with the community.”
He said he would fight hard to keep it open if the station came under threat of closure.
Mr Merlino agreed.
“I have heard rumours of the closure, “Mr Merlino said.
“But there is absolutely no way of Monbulk police station closing under a Labor government.”
He said that it was important for the community of Monbulk to have a police presence with a station in town.
“To have a committed team of local police in town is what this beautiful country town needs.
“I won’t allow a change in that.”
