February 6, 2018
Kingaroy’s courthouse was officially opened by Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath on Tuesday, two months after it returned to normal operations following a $5.3 million refurbishment.
Mrs D’Ath said the renovation was long overdue and hoped it would bring greater access to justice for the community.
The courthouse was built in 1966 and had little work done to it during the past 50 years.
“It was obvious to everyone that it needed an upgrade, and it is with great pleasure that I am able to officially open the refurbished courthouse today,” Mrs D’Ath said.
The upgrade to the courthouse was first announced by Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington in December 2014, along with a $900,000 extension to the Nanango Courthouse.
In June 2015, the new Palaszczuk Government confirmed both projects would go ahead in the 2015-16 financial year but work on the Kingaroy courthouse didn’t begin until March 2017, six months after tenders for the project closed.
The refurbishments involved the demolition of the courthouse back to the building’s shell on the upper floor and partial demolition of the lower floor, followed by a full internal refurbishment with acoustic treatments, a new roof and external walls, external windows and doors, external stairs, a ramp and signage.
Two new holding and interview cells were also built, along with an integrated secure link to the watchhouse at the neighbouring Kingaroy police station.
During the refurbishment, a temporary court was run out of a former bottle shop located nearby.
Mrs D’Ath said she’d visited the “bottle shop court” last year when she was in the region, and was impressed with the work staff had done to set it up.
However, she thought the new courthouse was much better.
Mrs D’Ath said it was also a tribute to the hard work of principal contractor FKG Constructions, as well as major subcontractors Wards Electrical and Kingaroy Refrigeration and the many other local firms who had been involved in the project.
“Our courts do vital work in delivering the day-to-day administration of justice and we are committed to ensuring they have adequate resources,” Mrs D’Ath said.
Questioned on why the cost of the refurbishment had ballooned from its original $2.1 million estimate to $5.3 million, Mrs D’Ath said when her department had looked at what was needed they felt it was better to do a thorough job.
Apart from saving taxpayers money in the long haul, the project had also helped stimulate the local economy.
The official opening was preceded by a Welcome To Country from Bevan Costello, the chairman of the Barambah Justice Group, and a performance by three members of the Wakka Gubbi Dancers, followed by a smoking ceremony.
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell, Chief Magistrate Ray Rinaudo and Magistrate Andrew Hackett were also amongst the dignitaries.
Related articles:
- Court House Back In Action
- Justice Shifts Into Old Bottleshop
- Courthouse Upgrade Begins Soon
- Green Light For Courthouse Upgrades
- $3.1m Upgrade To Local Courthouses
