Relocation of South Australian police horses set to cost $90 million

The South Australian government will spend $90 million relocating the state’s police horse unit to a new location in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

The cost of the plan to move the mounted operations unit from its existing Thebarton site had not previously been revealed, but was confirmed by Treasurer Stephen Mullighan on Thursday night.

The new facility in Gepps Cross is set to be completed in mid 2024.

The government had originally planned to move the unit to another site in Adelaide’s parklands but that proposal was abandoned following a significant public backlash.

The move from the existing Thebarton site is required because of plans to build the city’s new Women’s and Children’s Hospital on that land.

The new facility will include 32 larger stables, an undercover area and also house the police’s dog operation unit.

“Unlike the current site, Gepps Cross will meet the needs of police for decades to come,” Mr Mullighan said.

“This will be a major modernising of the 107-year-old Thebarton barracks facility — into a brand new fit-for-purpose facility.

“It will meet the needs of the horses and South Australian police for the next 15 years.”

Two other police services currently at the Thebarton site — which also need to be relocated — are expected to cost taxpayers a further $24.7 million.

The three projects are set to be looked at by Parliament’s Public Works Committee in mid-September.