The Queensland Law Society has welcomed the State Government’s announcement that construction will soon begin on a project to boost safety for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence at the Maroochydore Courthouse.
The $5 million works include a new safe room with direct access to a courtroom to provide vulnerable witnesses with private, secure spaces to prepare and attend proceedings.
QLS President Genevieve Dee said the Society was pleased the State Government had delivered on its commitment to upgrade court facilities across Queensland.
“Ahead of the 2024 State Election, our Call to Parties advocacy statement urged all political parties to commit to upgrading infrastructure across Magistrates Courts. This included specific requests to boost security and ensuring safe entry and exit points for aggrieved parties in domestic and family violence matters,” she said.
“We commend the State Government for delivering this project at Maroochydore, which greatly improve the court experience of victims of domestic and family violence.”
Construction on the project, which includes improved security at the court’s main entry, is expected to start by the end of the year and be completed by mid-2026.
Funding for the project is from State Government’s $18.8 million to Queensland’s Domestic and Family Violence Courthouse Improvement Program.
Under the program, upgrades to Ipswich and Caboolture courthouses have been completed while projects at Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, and Toowoomba courthouses continue to be delivered.
