Search continues for new premises for Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia hearings for Burnie residents

A team of local judges will visit the North-West in an effort to find a new location for residents to have their family court matters heard – as concerns mount for litigants who now have to travel to Launceston for court dates. LATEST >

Justice scales.

A team of local judges are set to visit the North-West this week in an effort to find a suitable location for residents to have their family court matters heard – as concerns mount for litigants who now have to travel to Launceston for court dates.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia had until early last year sat about one week a month in the Burnie Magistrates and Supreme Court building.

It was then moved to the Burnie Arts and Function Centre, but that arrangement was canned in April this year after renovations began.

Now without a physical location for FCFOA hearings, litigants now have to travel to Launceston for face-to-face cases to be heard.

And while the scenario has been described as a “temporary arrangement” by the FCFOA, it has raised concerns across the board.

Anita Dow. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ella Haddad Labor member for Clark. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad and Member for Braddon Anita Dow in a joint statement said the state government must step in to ensure the North-West community was not left disadvantaged.

“Many run the risk of not being able to appear at their own cases due to financial constraints or a lack of transport options,” they said.

“This is a major injustice for the people of the North-West Coast and highly stressful for families dealing with one of the most difficult times of their lives.”

They said it was vital that the new Burnie Courthouse catered for Family Court hearings.

In March this year, it was announced that the preferred location for the replacement Burnie Courthouse was at 100 to 106 Wilson St, Burnie.

The final design and costings of the courthouse are now being considered.

Attorney-General Elise Archer said she was “very concerned” about the accessibility of the court for the community, and that the Department of Justice would assist the federal government “where possible”.

“I have also written to the Federal Attorney-General to emphasise the need for action to ensure North-West Tasmanians have adequate access to the FCFCA, both now and into the future,” she said.

Attorney-General Elise Archer. Picture: Chris Kidd

Burnie City Council General Manager Simon Overland said the council had tried their best to accommodate the FCFCOA.

He said it was understood that because of increased sittings by the state courts, the FCFOA could no longer be accommodated in the building.

“Burnie City Council is very concerned about the FCFOA being unable to continue sittings in Burnie. But this is not a problem of our making,” he said.

“We stepped in at short notice to find alternative accommodation. We have identified other options that the FCFOA have determined are not suitable for its needs,

He said the council was working with the court and a “range of other interested parties” to try and identify another solution.

A FCFCOA spokeswoman said the court had worked with the Department of Justice to find another premises that would suitably and safely accommodate litigants.

“Unfortunately, no suitable alternative premises have yet been found,” they said.

“In an effort to solve this issue, [this] week, a team of local judges, security and other key staff will be visiting Burnie and surrounds to consider all proposed premises,

They said in the meantime face-to-face hearings will continue to be held in Launceston, while other cases can be held electronically.