''However all reports did indicate the workplace was not unsafe nor likely to result in health issues."
Mr Paxton said the police took the health of all staff very seriously and they had consequently decided to change the accommodation to ensure a ''continued safe working environment for our staff and the safety of visitors to the station''.
Regular testing of the Salisbury Ave station would continue until the shift to the new station was completed, he said.
A feasibility study on the future options of the existing building was underway. ''We will advise the long-term plan for the building and site as soon as this is confirmed.''
"While there is no immediate need to vacate the building, the relocation is a solution which meets our service delivery requirements for the short to medium term."
Mr Paxton said an initial three-year lease had been negotiated for the building on the corner with Tukorako Drive. The police national property group was working with local staff on the fit out design to ensure the new building was fit for purpose.
Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless said the move had the potential to open up a new and better site for the planned new visitor information centre that will double as an i-Port for cruise ship passengers.
The council had been looking at a site on Coronation Park but it lacked the flexibility to funnel cruise passengers directly from the port and into the new visitor information centre.
"Anywhere closer is worth a look, that's for sure," Mr Brownless said.
Mr Brownless intends to discuss the site's potential with Tourism Bay of Plenty. The police station abutted the port security fence, next to the port company's offices.
However, a lot of questions remained to be answered, including that it was a Crown-owned property and might be subject to a Treaty claim.
Mr Brownless liked the idea of some sort of land swap deal.
"We want to work in closely with the police. We realise they got a bit boxed in there (Salisbury Ave)."
He said the police's Salisbury Ave site was definitely closer to where the cruise ship passengers normally emerged through the port gates.
Mr Brownless was unsure whether the same issues would arise that prevented a gate being put through the port fence to allow cruise ship passengers to directly access a visitor information centre in Coronation Park.
The port company ruled out allowing passengers to cross a port operations area to access a new gate.
"Maybe there is a more direct way," he said
Mr Brownless said the new information centre would need to cope with a few thousand cruise ship passengers at a time.