Budget boost for Maryborough Courthouse restoration

• The Crisafulli Government is delivering $12.5 million in the Budget to repair and protect one of Queensland’s oldest courthouses.
• Labor allowed the heritage-listed Maryborough Courthouse to become ridden with termites and mould, due to historic lack of funding for repairs and maintenance.
• Works support victims of crime with improvements to safety, comfort and accessibility. 

The Crisafulli Government's Budget is delivering a major $12.5 million restoration of the Maryborough Courthouse, preserving the historic building and ensuring the local community’s continued access to justice. 

The project will focus on repairing the deteriorating 148-year-old building while protecting the building’s heritage character, after successive years of Labor allocating an under-funded maintenance budget. 

Works will include restoring areas of the courthouse that have deteriorated over time, including the courtrooms, registry office, stairwell, safe room, and remote witness room. 

Upgrades will also improve safety, comfort, and accessibility at the courthouse for the wider Fraser Coast community.  

The under-floor will be refurbished to address structural issues, as well as the installation of a new air conditioning system, and replacements of roof, gutters, downpipes, and storm water drainage systems. 

Safety across the site will also be enhanced through upgraded security systems and services. 

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the multi-million-dollar refurbishment would ensure the Maryborough Courthouse can continue to serve the community for years to come. 

“The former Labor Government’s chronic under-funding of Queensland’s justice system meant there was no money in the budget to maintain this historic courthouse,” the Attorney-General said. 

“The floors and stairs have started to rot, the carpets have grown mould and the walls are peeling throughout the building.  

“The Crisafulli Government is proud to be delivering this long-overdue restoration of the Maryborough Courthouse, the most significant refurbishment in the courthouse’s recent history, breathing new life into the iconic civic landmark.  

“Modern and maintained court facilities are essential to supporting victims of crime through the justice system.” 

Member for Maryborough John Barounis said he welcomed the preservation of one of the Fraser Coast’s iconic buildings.   

“Not only will these works improve the court experience for people accessing critical justice services, but they will also restore and protect a building that holds so much history and prominence in our community,” Mr Barounis said. 

“The upgrades support the Crisafulli Government’s top priority of protecting victims in our region, including a safe room and a remote witness floor within the courthouse.”