$3.1m Upgrade To Local Courthouses

December 11, 2014

More than $3 million will be spent during 2015 on much-needed upgrades to the Kingaroy and Nanango courthouses.

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington announced the projects in Nanango on Wednesday alongside the Director-General of the Department of Justice, John Sosso.

Mrs Frecklington said construction on both projects would begin soon, and would not be linked to the results of the upcoming State Election.

“We’re not waiting for the next Budget or the next election. We’re announcing this now and the work will start mid-January,” she said.

A total of $2.2 million will be spent on the Kingaroy Courthouse, which will include the installation of a lift, improved safety for staff, separate facilities for vulnerable witnesses and disability access throughout the building.

The historic Nanango Courthouse will receive a $900,000 extension at the rear of the building. 

Mrs Frecklington said the unique character of this building, which was constructed in 1937, would be taken into account with its improvements and a heritage architect would guide the project.

Improvements will be made to the registry office, customer service counter, waiting area, courtroom and judicial facilities. New interview and meeting facilities will be provided, plus an upgrade of electronic security systems.

An added feature will be the construction of an external rotunda, and there will also be upgrades to driveway, parking and toilet facilities.

“I have been fighting for these upgrades for years, even before I was elected as the local Member,” Mrs Frecklington said.

The former Kingaroy solicitor was pushing for improvements at both courthouses when she was president of the local South Burnett Law Association and knows firsthand the limitations of the current buildings.

“Even before I was pre-selected I met with (then Shadow Attorney-General) Jarrod Blejie on this site and discussed the need for an upgrade of the facilities, especially for domestic violence clients,”  Mrs Frecklington said.

The Kingaroy works are expected to employ 100 people while 75 workers will undertake the Nanango project.

Director-General Sosso emphasised the heritage values of the Nanango building would be fully protected.

However, the Kingaroy building will get a whole new look with an updated facade.

He said the money for the projects had been re-prioritised from within the Department’s current Budget.

“This is a major investment in the region by the government and the community will reap the benefits,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“We should not forget the input of Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie, whose energy and unqualified support ensured the funding for the refurbishments has gone ahead.”

The courthouse projects will proceed in conjunction with previously announced upgrades to the Nanango and Kingaroy police stations.

* * *

At A Glance

Kingaroy Courthouse

Cost: $2.2 million
Commences: Mid-2015
Employment: 100 people

Improvements:

• A new multi-purpose courtroom on the upper floor
• New meeting and interview rooms on both floors
• A holding cell on the court level
• Upgraded air conditioning, hydraulic, security, data and electrical services
• Improved acoustics throughout
• New cladding to the exterior of the building
• Secure access for judicial staff
• Separate secure access for police and prisoners via the installation of an elevator and pedestrian connection to the police station next door
• New and separate facilities for vulnerable witnesses
• Disability access throughout the building, and
• More comfortable client waiting areas and similar improvements to the jury assembly area

* * *

Nanango Courthouse

Cost: $900,000
Commences: Early 2015
Employment: 75 people

Improvements:

• Restoration of the corrugated roof and attractive wide verandahs
• Extension to the building at the rear
• Improvements to the registry office, customer service counter, waiting area, courtroom and judicial facilities
• Additional interview and meeting facilities
• Upgrade to the electronic security systems, lighting, hydraulics, power and air-conditioning
• Construction of an external rotunda
• Upgrade to the driveway and car park
• Upgrade to toilet facilities

  Kingaroy, Nanango, Police