New courts in session

THE ribbon was officially cut on Bendigo’s new multimillion dollar court building last Friday, with Premier Daniel Andrews and State Attorney General Jaclyn Symes on hand for the event.

Spanning five levels and costing $152 million, the building includes 11 courtrooms, remote witness facilities, two hearing rooms, two mediation suites, safe waiting facilities, and dedicated jury areas.

Mr Andrews said this was a significant milestone and development for the region.

“This is an important day for Bendigo, both as a city and as the capital of the Loddon Mallee region,” he said.

“It’s a big spend, a lot of jobs and development, it really locks in the future of justice services.”

Mr Andrews said the new facilities were “perhaps the best in regional Australia.”

“Now the people that work in the justice system have the best facilities to do their job well,” he said.

“As well as those that are drawn into the justice system, no matter what side of the argument they are on.”

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation assisted in the design of the building and added elements of First Nations culture into the space.

Attorney General Jaclyn Symes said the completing of construction on the new courts was a positive for the justice system.

“There are no words to describe this facility and what it is going to do for the delivery of legal services in regional Victoria,” she said.

Ms Symes said magistrates are excited to get into the new building describing the previous courthouse as “wonderful” but “old and inadequate.”

The law courts will service the Magistrates’ Court, Children’s Court, County Court, Supreme Court, Federal Circuit Court as well as the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The Koori Court and the Assessment and Referral Court will also operate from the new building.