April 5, 2017
Kingaroy folk summonsed before the beak over the next few months should just head on in to the old bottle-o in Kingaroy Street.
The former bottleshop, just down from the Broadway Hotel, has morphed into Kingaroy’s new Magistrates Court for the duration of the building project across the road.
A temporary courtroom has been built in a former storage area and chiller space, equipped with all the videolink and recording gear that a modern courthouse requires.
The temporary courtroom and office is necessary because of the $5.31 million refurbishment work which has begun across the road at the real Kingaroy Courthouse.
The project will include demolition of interior walls and rebuilding, include the creation of a holding cell on the court level, an extra courtroom, new rooms for legal representatives and witnesses, disabled access, secure access for judicial staff, a jury assembly area and a direct connection to the new Kingaroy watchhouse for prisoner transfers.
Several South Burnett businesses have won contracts to work on the project.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said 17 local businesses would provide services to the main contractor, FKG Group.
“I caught up with FKG Group to discuss the works that have now begun and I also spoke with two of the sub-contractors, Fiedler Bros Plumbing and Wards Electrical, about the importance of this project to the local economy,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Funding for the upgrade of the Kingaroy Courthouse was announced under our former LNP Government in 2014 and it is a shame it has taken this Labor Government two years to get it underway.
“However, now the works have finally started, it will not only help improve the frontline delivery of justice services in the region but will also provide an economic injection for local tradespeople and the wider community.
“This is why local infrastructure projects are so important, not only to improve our services, but to ensure economic growth.
Wards Electrical owner Alan Rowen said the benefits of local sub-contractors receiving the work would flow throughout the town.
“Our suppliers are local, so securing this contract will see benefits go to other businesses as well,” Mr Rowen said.
Fielder Bros co-owner Todd Fiedler congratulated FKG Group on making a definite choice to work with locally based sub-contractors.
“Right from the beginning FKG Group said they wanted to work with local contractors and they have stuck to this promise,” Todd said.
Related articles:
- Courthouse Upgrade Begins Soon
- Green Light For Courthouse Upgrades
- $3.1m Upgrade To Local Courthouses
