$2 million will fund an upgrade to the Marine Area Command’s (MAC) Nemesis vessel and a further $7.7 million will build a new police wharf at Balmain.
The Nemesis is the largest of the NSW Police MAC’s strategic maritime assets and is critical to its capability to conduct extended offshore operations including search and rescue, maritime and counter-terrorism protection and target maritime crime and illegal drug importation.
The 32-metre single hull vessel can operate in the harshest offshore maritime environments for extended periods. It assists the NSW Police MAC to carry out operations up to 200 nautical miles (370km) out to sea.
The $2 million Nemesis revamp includes:
- upgrades to the main engines
- upgrades to the hydraulic system to ensure the stability of the vessel in heavy seas
- upgrade to the telecommunications system
- electrical systems will be replaced and the fire system refurbished.
The current police wharf is 50 years old and needs to be totally replaced. A new wharf will ensure NSW Police MAC continues to have the capability to launch vessels from its HQ and keep our waterways and communities safe.
This announcement is part of a raft of responsible and targeted measures in the 2023-24 Budget that will strengthen the NSW Police Force, assist it to fight crime and remain a world class policing organisation.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
'This government is committed to investing in the NSW Police Force to ensure it has the capability and infrastructure to prevent crime, keep our communities and waterways safe and remain a world-class policing organisation,' Minister Catley said.
'From intercepting illegal drugs to ensuring our harbour is safe during major events, the Nemesis is central to the important work of Marine Area Command, as is the Balmain police wharf.'
NSW Police Acting Commissioner David Hudson said:
'The Marine Area Command plays a vital role in keeping our waterways safe and also in intercepting illegal drugs to keep them out of the hands of organised crime syndicates and off our streets.
“The Nemesis vessel and wharf upgrades will help our MAC officers continue this important work and provide them with state-of-the-art resources to protect our waterways every day,' Acting Commissioner Hudson said.
