A major upgrade of the Toowoomba Courthouse will make it safer and easier to access for domestic and family violence victim survivors when it opens in the coming months, the Queensland Law Society says.
The Queensland Government today announced the funding details of the $16.1 million project, which is being delivered under the Domestic and Family Violence Courthouse Improvement Program.
QLS President Peter Jolly said the Society has long advocated for increased security measures for people involved in domestic and family violence matters.
“Upgrades like this ensure victim-survivors feel safer and more supported when seeking justice, giving them the help they need at time when they are extremely vulnerable,” he said.
“With works already well under way, we look forward to the new facilities making an immediate impact when opened for use in the coming months.”
He said the Society’s Call to Parties advocacy statement ahead of the 2024 State Election urged all political parties to prioritise upgrades to Magistrates Court infrastructure across Queensland.
“We’re pleased to see DFV program continue to roll out across the state, with Toowoomba adding to recently announced upgrades at Cairns and Maroochydore.”
The upgrades include:
- two new courtrooms, with one dedicated to DFV matters to ensure victim-survivors can have their matters heard sooner.
- a new DFV safe room, giving vulnerable witnesses private and secure areas to prepare for and access court.
Additional refurbishments, including the courthouse registry, to accommodate extra staff for the delivery of the new court services
In the last financial year, the Toowoomba Magistrates Court dealt with 760 applications for domestic violence orders and more than 1600 charges of contravening a domestic violence order.
Under the DFV Courthouse Improvements Program, upgrades to the Ipswich and Caboolture courthouses have been completed, and projects at Brisbane, Cairns, Maroochydore, Rockhampton, and Mackay courthouses are under construction.
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