$111M IPSWICH LEGAL PRECINCT TO IMPROVE LAW & ORDER

A new $111 million legal precinct in Ipswich will improve law and order services and enhance the growing city’s commitment to sustainability, Premier Peter Beattie said today.

At the official sod-turning with Attorney-General Kerry Shine and local Members of Parliament Rachel Nolan, Wayne Wendt and Joanne Miller, Mr Beattie said the five-storey complex was a major investment in local law and order.

“This is the biggest infrastructure project for central Ipswich in more than a decade,” Mr Beattie said.

“It forms part of the $11.2 billion in infrastructure funding committed to the Western Corridor under the Government’s infrastructure plan. We are not just talking about the new Ipswich, we are building the civic facilities, roads, rail and water supplies necessary to make the vision a liveable reality.

“The new complex will include eight Magistrates courtrooms - including one purpose-designed for Murri Court and Drug Court hearings - four District courtrooms and a watch-house at a cost $92 million. The current facilities include four Magistrate and two District courtrooms, so this is a significant upgrade for the Ipswich region.

“The precinct will also incorporate the regional offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions, State Reporting Bureau, Dispute Resolution Bureau and operational police as well as a marriage room for civil ceremonies.

“It will provide greatly enhanced security and safety for all court users, including members of the public, juries, defendants and the judiciary.”

Mr Beattie said a new 24-hour police station will replace the existing facility on East Street.

“The new $18.9 million police station will include a new watchhouse, which will adjoin the court facilities and have the capacity to contain up to 32 detainees in holding cells.”

Mr Beattie said there was a universal obligation to combat global warming and the Queensland Government was committed to leading by example.

“Despite recent rain, the most pressing environmental challenge we face right now is the drought. The new precinct has been designed to conserve water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power consumption.

“It will include a 23,000 litre rainwater tank to ensure the surrounding gardens can be maintained without drawing on the city’s reserves of drinking water.

“The building has also been designed to make the most of natural sunlight and will be equipped with low-energy light fittings,” he said.

Mr Shine said the new courthouse would be the first in Queensland to provide separate, secure passage for jurors within the building.

“This design provides separate entrances, corridors, lifts and waiting areas so jurors are not exposed to potentially unsettling confrontations with the families of victims and defendants, or any other members of the public,” he said.

“It also features state-of-the-art technology such as wireless internet services, digital audio recording, closed-circuit television and video conferencing facilities.

“It will enable children, victims and other vulnerable witnesses to give their evidence in a private, secure environment without the emotional trauma of having to face defendants in open court,” he said.

Ms Nolan said it was fitting the new courthouse would be completed in early 2009 in time for Queensland’s Q150 celebrations.

“Ipswich’s first courthouse was finished in 1859, only months before Queensland became a separate colony. The original courthouse at the corner of East and Roderick Street has been preserved with $1.5 million invested in recent years for its upgrade,” Ms Nolan said.
The new precinct has been designed by ABM Cox Rayner and would be built by Brisbane-based construction company Abigroup Contractors.

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3239 6400 (Minister Shine’s office)