Katoomba Courthouse in shambles in District Court’s first week back

If a Courthouse epitomised Murphy’s Law, this would be it.

Six District Court matters were heard at Katoomba in the District Court’s first week back in the Blue Mountains. Picture: Carmela Roche/AAP Image

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Katoomba Courthouse’s return to district has been a debacle.

The courthouse is littered with buckets collecting rainwater and local court matters involving video links are being relocated due to a lack of equipment.

The prehistoric vending machine in the foyer does not take cards and a computer terminal meant for public use, to access court forms or to search the court’s database of cases, doesn’t work.

District Court matters were returned to Katoomba to help ease the pending trial caseload in the region — specifically from Penrith District Court, without impacting Local Court sittings at either Penrith or Katoomba.

But The News understands they are being heard in the only courtroom with available audio visual link equipment, which is creating fresh problems for Katoomba Local Court.

Last year, 939 criminal matters were finalised at Katoomba Local Court. Picture: Carmela Roche/AAP Image

It’s not been a good week for the historic 1890s courthouse in the first week back for District Court.

“The recent heavy rain in Katoomba resulted in some water leaking into the courthouse — this did not disrupt any court sittings,” a Department of Communities and Justice spokesman told The Blue Mountains News.

“Repairs will be undertaken following an assessment of the roof.”

Katoomba Courthouse has not seen District Court matters for more than two decades and has clearly been left behind.

“This will be the first time in more than 20 years the District Court has sat in the historic Katoomba Courthouse,” NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman said. Under the circuit sitting arrangement, judges will rostered to the District Court from Sydney. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP

Because now inmates cannot readily appear in court from via the television screen in Katoomba from the correctional centres where they are being held.

Local Court hearings requiring appearances via AVL are instead being listed in Katoomba Courthouse when the District Court is not sitting, however this week a District Court trial was scheduled in the courtroom with AVL technology all five days.

And when the District Court is sitting in Katoomba, fresh custody matters are proceeding via AVL in Penrith Local Court.

The District Court is now sitting at Katoomba Courthouse to help reduce the pending trial caseload in the region, specifically from Penrith District Court. Picture: David Swift/AAP

Asked if any improvements were made to Katoomba Courthouse in readiness for District Court matters being returned, the justice department’s spokesman said “a number” of improvements were made, including upgrades to jury deliberation and assembly rooms and judicial facilities.

He declined to comment on any new funding, or planned infrastructure, for the courthouse.

The News understands staffing levels will not be increased to help manage the District Court sittings either.

A Court of Petty Sessions was established in Katoomba in 1890 with funds allocated in 1893 to build a new courthouse and watch house.

The building was completed in 1897.

Katoomba Courthouse was designed by Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon. Picture courtesy of North Sydney Heritage Centre.