Last week’s State Government budget included $100,000 for planning for the new station, in addition to the $700,000 allocated for site identification last year.

Superintendent Gilliam said a site for the new station was yet to be chosen.

He could not confirm whether a new station would be built on the existing site or elsewhere.

The Police Properties Unit and the United Services Group are looking at possible locations.

Superintendent Gilliam said the existing station was an “ad hoc arrangement”.

Rebuilding at the current site cost less.

Building on a different site may involve dealing with heritage issues, Superintendent Gilliam said.

No plans for the new station have been drawn up, but Superintendent Gilliam said it would be a state of the art station.

Having a 21st century station would make police more positive about their working environment, he said.

“Bowral is a growing area and the new station will be used for the next 30-40 years.”

A new custody holding area under construction as the station will allow police to take prisoners directly from police vehicles into the station.

Superintendent Gilliam said the changes would improve officer safety.

Bowral is the only 24-hour police station in the Southern Highlands.