The group representing Bendigo’s lawyers has welcomed the announcement of funding to buy land for new law courts in this year’s state budget.
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Bendigo and Werribee will share in $20 million to buy land for new courts.
It is a step closer to making reality a project that Bendigo’s law community has advocated for for a number of years, with the existing court complex on Pall Mall described as dated and not fit for purpose.
There have even been concerns raised about the safety and security of the existing courts, with a knife and bullets found in toilets last year.
Bendigo Law Association president Juliana Smith said the funding announcement was “wonderful news”.
Ms Smith said extra resources would reduce backlogs and stress for everyone involved in the court system.
BUDGET DEALS FOR CITY
While there was no indication as to when the process of acquiring land would begin, Ms Smith said she was hopeful more information would be forthcoming within the next couple of months.
She said it was pleasing to see more progress made on the project, following the allocation of $3.9 million in the last budget to Court Services Victoria to develop a business case on the proposal.
Obviously more funding would be welcome, but there’s progress, and that’s the main thing.
- Juliana Smith, Bendigo Law Association president
She said granting money for the purchase of land was a logical next step after last year’s funding.
“Obviously more funding would be welcome, but there’s progress, and that’s the main thing,” Ms Smith said.
Bendigo TAFE’s city campus, on McCrae Street, is understood to be the preferred location for the new courts.
Court Services Victoria labelled the development of new courts in Bendigo as an “immediate priority” in its 15-year strategic plan, which was launched in February 2017.
The agency reported that the project was necessary to reflect Bendigo’s courts as “a Level 2 regional headquarter court and to address significant safety and fit-for-purpose issues”.
The Victorian budget, revealed on Tuesday, also allocates $5 million for upgrades to the Echuca Court House.