Toowoomba Courthouse to undergo major refurbishments to make court more accommodating

Toowoomba Courthouse will undergo a multimillion dollar upgrade to accommodate its increasing needs. See what’s planned here:

The Toowoomba Courthouse is about to be given a major makeover as part of a $49 million State Government capital works program.

Toowoomba is considered to be the major works among the project which will upgrade eight courthouses across Queensland which will mainly improve the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) facilities.

State Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath told The Chronicle the refurbishments were designed to make courtrooms a safer, more comfortable and private environment particularly for victims of domestic violence attending court hearings.

Currently, those attending domestic violence hearings each Wednesday gather in the court foyer, sometimes within metres of the person accused of being domestically violent toward them.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath

“This will provide an extra level of security for the victim who will have safe and separate access to the courtroom (from the offender),” Ms D’Ath said.

“And, for those who have to take their children, there will be a room for the children where they can play (while the parent is in court).”

Ms D’Ath said she had been thinking about the need to make DFV courts a safer and more private experience for victims after a woman some years ago told her how embarrassed she was to go to DFV court.

“Some women feel shame and embarrassment (in attending DFV court) either that they are not going to be believed or by being confronted by their violent partner,” she said.

“These upgrades will help with privacy, safety and make the experience more comfortable for them.”

Toowoomba Courthouse in Hume St about to get a major makeover.

Though still in the design phase, works on the Toowoomba Courthouse is scheduled to start early next year and to be fully completed by mid-2026.

Ms D’Ath said it was difficult to upgrade working courthouses because the works disrupt the day to day functioning of the courts.

Toowoomba Courthouse will gain two additional courtrooms with secure docks, one of which will be a “shell” catering for future expansion needs.

The improvements also include an internal fit out and upgrade to ground floor and first-floor areas including the registry, an extension to the first floor at the western end of the building over the existing courthouse’s open carpark, and a new custodial passageway from police watch-house with a new holding cell and lift.

The amenities and waiting areas will also be upgraded to benefit the general public.

Jury facilities will also be upgraded and several new interview rooms provided.

The original Hume Street Courthouse was constructed in 1976 with three magistrates courtrooms and two supreme and district courtrooms at either end of the building.

Originally published as Toowoomba Courthouse to undergo major refurbishments to make court more accommodating