Mayors calling for new ruling on court facelift

FIVE Tasmanian mayors have joined forces to make redeveloping the Supreme Court in Burnie an election issue.

There had been a push for the North-West’s court facilities — in Burnie and Devonport — to be consolidated into one court complex.

The State Government ruled out that idea in May.

Yesterday the Government said it was aware of the issues with the Burnie Supreme Court and said it remained committed to working with stakeholders, including mayors, to ensure the North-West was serviced appropriately.

The mayors of the West Coast, Waratah-Wynyard, Circular Head, King Island and Burnie said the upcoming election was a perfect opportunity for a funding commitment.

“We call on all parties to declare their support before the election,” the group statement said.

“It is no wonder that people do not value the law, when substandard facilities are often deemed adequate by the State Government, particularly in regional areas.’’

About 50,000 people rely on access to the Supreme Court in Burnie each year. A review by KMPG this year identified the court in Burnie was due for redevelopment, calling its condition “suboptimal”.

“The Supreme Court pro- vides a vital service for the entire region and it is important that the Supreme Court facility is able to cope with the demands placed upon it,” the report said.

The Burnie City Council raised concerns about the inadequacy of the facilities almost 12 months ago but there was no funding for upgrades in the May State Budget.

“The court building in Burnie is in need of a major refurbishment, and given that the Devonport Living City project suggests the relocation of the Magistrates Court, there is a real opportunity for the State Government to redevelop the Burnie supreme and magistrates court and develop a service model that better supports the future delivery of court services on the North-West Coast,” former mayor Anita Dow said at the time.

“The current Supreme Court facilities are well located in the Burnie CBD, and centrally positioned to support the Cradle Coast region.

“The economic benefits to the City of Burnie from the Supreme Court, and the legal and professional workforce and services ancillary to the Supreme Court, are such that investment in this infrastructure is crucial.”

Ms Dow is running as a candidate for Labor at the election.

It is no wonder that people do not value the law, when substandard facilities are often deemed adequate by the State Government