More boots on the ground and more eyes in the sky – that’s the State Government’s promise to curb spiraling crime in the Far North. Premier David Crisafulli’s was in Cairns to announce POLAIR helicopter patrols are now locked in long-term – as part of a 5.2-billion-dollar crime crackdown.
As part of the 2025-26 Budget, major new initiatives and upgrades will be delivered in the Far North, including:
- POLAIR capacity locked-in for the long-term for the Far North.
- A major $35 million upgrade to Edmonton Police Station.
- A new Youth Justice School for young people on youth justice community orders.
- More police on the beat as part of 1,600 new recruits across the State over the next four years.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Budget was delivering the foundation to make the Far North safer.
“Frontline police deserve the best tools to do their job, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering for Cairns by locking-in POLAIR for the long-term,” he said.
The State Government claims since launching just nine months ago, POLAIR in Cairns has already helped arrest 167 offenders and recover 73 stolen cars.
