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Tech meets history in $855k court upgrade
Attorney-General Mark Speakman has promised that a 124-year-old courthouse would retain its historic charm while receiving the critical upgrades it needs to operate seamlessly as the number of matters it hears spikes to new highs.
Naomi Neilson
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The Katoomba Court House received maintenance on its century-old chimneys, gables, roof plumbing and stone while being fitted for new audiovisual technology. The upgrades fall under Mark Speakman’s $855,000 project to modernise the courthouse that was designed in 1985 by Walter Liberty Vernon.
“One of the NSW government’s key aims is to increase efficiency and reduce time people have to wait for justice. With AVL now fitted in courtrooms, Katoomba is fit for the future, while restoration of its exterior recognises its history,” Mr Speakman said.
After construction was completed in 1987, a newspaper at the time reported it would be a building whose “outward appearance will delight those with architectural tastes, while its inner compartments will be a terror to evil doers”.
The works follow the resumption last year of District Court sittings at Katoomba courthouse after a two-decade hiatus and fall under a $100 million sustaining critical infrastructure program announced in last year’s November budget.
“As a result, the court has become busier and these works will ensure it is in its best shape to deal with the number of matters being heard,” Mr Speakman said.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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