Southport Gold Coast traffic: Street to be closed to vehicles

A central Southport street will be closed from 8am each day next week to deal with an unprecedented problem.

THE street outside the Southport Courthouse will be closed next week as the justice system begins clearing a backlog of cases amid adhering to social distancing rules.

The coronavirus lockdown forced the court to operate at a reduced capacity but from Monday magistrates will start to work through the backlog.

It is estimated it will take six months to clear simple cases and potentially years for more complex matters to be finalised.

Magistrates have repeatedly told lawyers the next three weeks will be exceptionally busy.

Measures are being put in place so social distancing can be observed while the courts attempt to deal with the backlogs.

Next week will be the first week a full workload will return to the Southport Magistrates Court.

Hinze St will be closed on weekday mornings from 8am to midday between June 22 and July 10 due to the number of people expected to need to wait outside to observe social distancing.

Those with matters in Court One or listed for a callover will be asked to attend a small triage area in the Mal Burke car park.

People with matters in other courts can proceed through the front doors.

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Hinze St in Southport will be closed from 8am to midday from June 22 to July 10.

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A Department of Justice and Attorney-General spokesman said usually the court would be able to cope with the numbers but social distancing meant it was extraordinary times.

“I would emphasise that we are taking a very conservative approach by implementing this plan,” he said.

“We may find that numbers determine that we don’t need to have the road closed for very long, but we are planning with public safety as our number one priority.”

Signs outside each courtroom shows how many people can be in the public gallery at one time and people must sit at least one chair apart.

A 5L bucket of sanitising wipes have been placed on the bar tables for solicitors to wipe down bar tables.

Potts Lawyers director Bill Potts said the measures were extraordinary but health must come first, particularly because those with drug abuse problems are considered vulnerable to the disease.

He said it would be a challenge.

“I wonder how many people will get tired of waiting and leave,” he said.

Mr Potts said he estimated the simpler matters would be able to be dealt with by the courts in six months but the more complex matters could take years.

He suggested enlisting retired and acting magistrates to help deal with the backlog.

“Nothing beats judicial bums on seats,” he said.

The court is also allowing defendants to indicate pleas of guilty online.