Tenders called for Maryborough courthouse upgrade within weeks

Maryborough’s heritage-listed courthouse is set to continue dispensing justice for many years to come, with tenders to be called within weeks for new $2 million upgrade.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today’s celebration of the courthouse’s 130^th anniversary marked the start of a new era for the local landmark.

“This is one of the most impressive civic buildings in Queensland and that has been a driving consideration in the design of the additional works to enhance prisoner security, community safety and jury facilities,” Mr Shine said.

“The architects and engineers have come up with some unique solutions to accommodate and preserve the appeal and heritage qualities of the courthouse and adjoining buildings.”

“Tenders will now be called next month, which should ensure that construction can begin before Christmas and be completed in the first half of 2008.”

“This upgrade will also ensure that the Maryborough Courthouse can continue to serve the local community for many more years to come.”

Mr Shine said the primary purpose of the $2 million project was to provide the courthouse with a secure holding cell and prisoner transfer facility.

“At the moment, prisoners being taken to court have to be held in police vehicles and then escorted through public areas before being secured in the dock,” Mr Shine said.

“That is obviously far from ideal, so a two-storey cell block will be built at the back of the precinct with a secure flyover bridge to the second floor of the courthouse.”

“The design includes a secure, screened parking area for police vehicles delivering prisoners to court, a holding cell and an interview room for prisoners and their lawyers.”

“It also involves works within the courthouse, including improved security on the ground floor and a screened enclosure around the jury waiting area on the northern veranda.”

Mr Shine said the new facility would be built between the heritage-listed archive vault and World War II concrete bunker used by the Model Engineers and Live Steamers Association (MELSA) to garage the trains it runs through Queens Park on weekends.

21 September 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350 kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au