The NSW Police Service has expressed an interest in using St John's Primary School as a temporary police station when the existing Brisbane Street police headquarters closes to make way for a new building.
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According to a spokesman for police minister Carl Scully, a development application for the new police building is expected to be lodged in the next few weeks.
Subject to planning approval, construction is to start in mid-2006 and should be completed by early 2008.
No decision has yet been made on where police would be accommodated during the construction process, however Sydney-based police officials have been in discussion with St Brigid's parish priest Father Paul Devitt for the past six weeks.
Father Devitt said while nothing definite has yet been decided, talks with police are continuing.
"A number of other groups have also expressed interest in the site, which will be surplus to requirements in December when classes relocate to new primary buildings currently under construction in Sheraton Road,'' he said.
"Other interested parties have included a local business developer, Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre and Dubbo City Council.
"Greater Western Area Health Service has also looked at the site and taken plans away with the view to establishing a health complex or administration centre.
"The police service is the only party that has entered into meaningful ongoing talks, but things remain fairly nebulous at this stage and I am certainly still open to talking with other parties.''
Father Devitt said police were not looking to use St Brigid's hall and would not make any external changes to the old convent, which is protected by heritage listing. Some rooms in the convent would be left for parish use.
"The school itself would most likely be subject to a number of structural changes if the police proposal goes ahead, however this would most likely take the form of things like cabling for computers and disabled access,'' he said.
According to Father Devitt, construction of the new school is "steaming ahead", will reach lock-up stage next week and is scheduled to reach completion in mid to late November.
"Stage one, valued at $1.5million, includes three buildings - two classroom blocks each with four classrooms and an administration block,'' he said.
"Early next year we hope to start work on stage two, which will comprise six more classrooms (to make a total of 14), a library and canteen.
"Our plan is to relocate the existing 220 primary students from Bultje Street.
"When stage two is completed the school will also offer infants education and cater for 450 students.''
Father Devitt said there are no plans to extend St John's College with the school capped at 950 students.
