With modern and available housing a key component in attracting essential workers to the bush, the recent completion of three brand new police homes at Coonamble is good news for the community – and the region.

The $2.6 million project involved building and fitting-out the four-bedroom houses with separate kitchens, dining and living rooms, as well as a rumpus, laundry and private backyard with two-car garage and fitted with solar panels.

The success of the program has seen all three facilities filled by officers and their families, Western Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland APM, said.

“This is an important initiative aimed at attracting and retaining police in regional areas. These new homes are vital in encouraging police officers and their families to move to this area and build a connection to the community,” Assistant Commissioner Holland believes.

“We know that some of the biggest barriers in maintaining police numbers in regional parts of NSW is a lack of suitable housing, and these new homes mean we can attract police to regional communities, where they’re most needed,” he added.

The houses are part of the 'Key Worker Housing Program' that is committing $146.3 million over four years to deliver 271 homes for police and teachers across the state.

To date, the program has delivered 178 teacher and police homes in regional NSW using a mix of traditional building, modern methods of construction, and land and home packages.

The four-year program will create around 700 jobs across the state, helping to strengthen local economies, Member for Barwon Roy Butler said.

"Without investment in key worker housing like this, many regional and rural towns struggle to attract skilled and essential workers,” he argued.

“Suitable housing makes it much easier,” he added.

He said that the initiative is helping alleviate chronic staffing issues in country communities.

“We are facing a staff shortage at police stations in Barwon,” Mr Butler said.

"These three four-bedroom homes hold significant value for places like Coonamble. They make communities safer, increase the local population, and boost the economy,” he concluded.