18 Apr 2016 Border Mail, Albury-Wodonga (General News) by Blair Thomson NEW police stations will be built in Bright and Corryong and the Benalla station will undergo a redevelopment following a funding announcement by the Victorian Government. The government will on Monday announce $3.25 million to replace the Bright station and $3.21 million for a new station at Corryong. Benalla will share in about $3 million allocated to refurbish 15 stations across the state. The Bright station was originally built to cater for two or three officers, but now has eight members. Officers and offenders must share one toilet and there are no cells, which means prisoners have to be transported to Wangaratta or Myrtleford. Offenders must be transported from Corryong to Wodonga. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the funding would allow police to focus on frontline duties. The Andrews Labor government is committed to a strong police presence in country Victoria, she said. This support across the region will allow police to better address crime and protect communities in the North East of Victoria. The fine details of the new stations has not been worked out but both will be built by 2018. Victoria Police will also receive 406 new officers and 52 support staff and two new forensic hubs in regional Victoria. Acting Police Minister Robin Scott said the new stations would allow police to work in modern facilities. It will help police address some of the most serious issues facing our community today including family violence and the scourge of ice, he said. Shadow Police Minister Ed ODonohue said the Opposition could take some credit for the police increase. Under Daniel Andrews crime rates are up but frontline police numbers are down and several police stations have closed, he said. This support across the region will allow police to better address crime and protect communities in the North East of Victoria Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes Caption Text: TIRED, DATED: The Bright police station has needed to be replaced for years with the facilities unsuitable to modern policing. Picture: BLAIR THOMSON Copyright Agency licensed copy (www.copyright.com.au)