Published Friday, 01 June, 2007 at 01:57 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
VICTIMS OF CRIME TO BENEFIT FROM NEW COURT COMPLEX
Premier Peter Beattie today announced that a new Supreme Court and District Court complex will be built in Brisbane to ensure children, vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime are better supported during trials.
The new building will have an additional 15 court rooms, significantly increasing the number of trials which can be run each year.
The complex will be built at the intersection of George, Herschel and Roma streets. Detailed planning and contract negotiations will begin shortly with construction getting underway in 2009. It is expected the courts will open in 2011 at an estimated cost of $600 Million.
“The new complex will transform the capacity of our courts to meet the special needs of children, vulnerable witnesses, victims of crime and other Queenslanders who deserve our support, in a way that just isn’t possible with the current facilities,” Mr Beattie said.
“The current courts were built almost 40 years ago and don’t meet the needs of the modern justice system which puts a heavier emphasis on victims of crime.
“In addition to better facilities for children and other vulnerable witnesses, the new complex also includes improved jury facilities, family lounges for parents and carers with children, judges chambers and registry and modern, secure custodial cells.”
Premier Peter Beattie said the 19-storey courthouse would be designed by Architectus Brisbane and Guymer Bailey Architects. Next week’s budget commits $11 Million for the development. The final costs will be locked-in prior to building contracts being signed.
The Department of Public Works will act as the construction authority.
“The new building will have a total of 47 courts at full capacity, divided into dedicated wings for civil and criminal trials, supported by separate lifts and pathways for the security of judges, jurors, prisoners and members of the public,” Mr Beattie said.
“It will include a state-of-the-art recording suite for vulnerable witnesses to present their evidence by closed-circuit television, as well as digital audio for transcription services and free, wireless, broadband access to the Internet for lawyers and other court users.
“The design also allows sufficient structural capacity to accommodate further technical advances during the life of the building over the next half-century,” Mr Beattie said.
Attorney General Kerry Shine said the new building would also be environmentally efficient, with a focus on natural light, climate control, water harvesting and recycling, as well as smart electricals.
“The building is expected to deliver the equivalent of a four and a half star greenhouse rating,” Mr Shine said.
"The design also features a large public square that will link the new Tank Street pedestrian and bicycle bridge with the Roma Street Parklands, as we continue to breathe fresh life into the city and make it a more inviting place for the people of Brisbane and Queensland.
"It will take centre stage in Brisbane's new legal precinct, between the arrests and magistrates courts, the latter which was also built by the Beattie Government.
“The existing courthouse has served Queensland well for nearly 40 years, but is fast approaching its use-by date.”
Architectus designed the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), which was officially opened late last year. Its other projects include Commonwealth Law Courts building on North Quay, Brisbane.
June 1, 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
Attorney-General’s office: 3239 6400
The new building will have an additional 15 court rooms, significantly increasing the number of trials which can be run each year.
The complex will be built at the intersection of George, Herschel and Roma streets. Detailed planning and contract negotiations will begin shortly with construction getting underway in 2009. It is expected the courts will open in 2011 at an estimated cost of $600 Million.
“The new complex will transform the capacity of our courts to meet the special needs of children, vulnerable witnesses, victims of crime and other Queenslanders who deserve our support, in a way that just isn’t possible with the current facilities,” Mr Beattie said.
“The current courts were built almost 40 years ago and don’t meet the needs of the modern justice system which puts a heavier emphasis on victims of crime.
“In addition to better facilities for children and other vulnerable witnesses, the new complex also includes improved jury facilities, family lounges for parents and carers with children, judges chambers and registry and modern, secure custodial cells.”
Premier Peter Beattie said the 19-storey courthouse would be designed by Architectus Brisbane and Guymer Bailey Architects. Next week’s budget commits $11 Million for the development. The final costs will be locked-in prior to building contracts being signed.
The Department of Public Works will act as the construction authority.
“The new building will have a total of 47 courts at full capacity, divided into dedicated wings for civil and criminal trials, supported by separate lifts and pathways for the security of judges, jurors, prisoners and members of the public,” Mr Beattie said.
“It will include a state-of-the-art recording suite for vulnerable witnesses to present their evidence by closed-circuit television, as well as digital audio for transcription services and free, wireless, broadband access to the Internet for lawyers and other court users.
“The design also allows sufficient structural capacity to accommodate further technical advances during the life of the building over the next half-century,” Mr Beattie said.
Attorney General Kerry Shine said the new building would also be environmentally efficient, with a focus on natural light, climate control, water harvesting and recycling, as well as smart electricals.
“The building is expected to deliver the equivalent of a four and a half star greenhouse rating,” Mr Shine said.
"The design also features a large public square that will link the new Tank Street pedestrian and bicycle bridge with the Roma Street Parklands, as we continue to breathe fresh life into the city and make it a more inviting place for the people of Brisbane and Queensland.
"It will take centre stage in Brisbane's new legal precinct, between the arrests and magistrates courts, the latter which was also built by the Beattie Government.
“The existing courthouse has served Queensland well for nearly 40 years, but is fast approaching its use-by date.”
Architectus designed the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), which was officially opened late last year. Its other projects include Commonwealth Law Courts building on North Quay, Brisbane.
June 1, 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
Attorney-General’s office: 3239 6400