Tenders called for new Mareeba courthouse by end of 2007

Tenders are due to be called for the construction of the new $5.3 million courthouse at Mareeba by the end of the year, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said today.

Visiting the State’s far north today, Mr Shine said the Queensland Government had committed $3.8 million in 2007-08 for the new courthouse at the corner of Walsh and Hort Streets.

“Preliminary plans for the courthouse were put on public display in March. The project is now in design phase before tenders for construction are called later this year,” Mr Shine said.

Mr Shine said the new courthouse would include special waiting areas and rooms for vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime, as well as contemporary technology such as closed-circuit television.

“The new courthouse will be built next to the existing facilities, which will continue to operate throughout the construction period,” he said.

“The new courthouse is due to be completed by the end of 2008.”

“Once the new courthouse has been completed, the old courthouse will be demolished to make way for the construction of a new police station and watchhouse.”

Mr Shine said the new Mareeba courthouse was one of number of new and upgraded courthouse projects underway in Queensland.

“The Government committed $66.1 million this financial year progress courthouse projects in the State’s south-east, Maryborough and Mareeba,” Mr Shine said.

“These projects are part of the Government’s commitment to ensure our justice system is fair, open and accessible for all Queenslanders.”

During his visit to Cairns today, Mr Shine attended the swearing-in of new Magistrate Joe Pinder. Magistrate Pinder’s appointment follows the creation of an additional Magistrates position located at Cairns in the State Budget to conduct more frequent circuit courts in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York and the Torres Strait.

14 August 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au