The new hub, which is being built next door to the Ballarat West Police Station at Delacombe will see 11 forensics experts be based in the region.

It will act as a stop-off point for police throughout the western district, saving hours of resources where officers currently are forced to drive to and from Melbourne to drop off evidence.

The hub, which will open in April, is part of an $11 million state government commitment to build new sites in Ballarat and Morwell.

The construction site was inspected by Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford on Friday.

Director of Forensic Services of Victoria Police Rebecca Kogios said the 11 new positions had already been filled.

“They are in the process of undergoing a very rigorous training program to make sure, when we open the facility here next year, we will hit the ground running from day one,” Dr Kogios said.

“It’s important that the standards of forensic services delivered here will be consistent with the facility we currently operate in Macleod.

“We’ve been fortunate to be able to staff the facility with a mixture of internal experts and also attract interest from interstate as well.”

Ballarat Acting Superintendent Trevor Cornwill said it would make an enormous difference in the turnaround time for cases to be finalised.

“For us it will be hundreds of hours saved where we can concentrate on policing. Certainly for outlying areas it will make a huge difference in travel time,” he said.

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