Multi-million dollar upgrade to Port Macquarie Courthouse now completed

24 May 2024

A $5.1 million upgrade to Port Macquarie Courthouse, which includes a new extension and courtroom, supporting the criminal justice system in the region, is now fully operational.

In addition to the new courtroom, the work also includes new interview rooms, a new judicial chamber and robing room, reconfiguration of the existing registry office storage area, new airport-style security scanning facilities, 25 kilowatt solar-panels and a redesigned main entrance.

It was previously one of 45 courthouses across the state to benefit from new or upgraded safe spaces to support domestic and sexual violence survivors and vulnerable witnesses to give evidence.

The courthouse, on Murray Street, was built on the site of a former technical college and has been used as a courthouse since 1986, after the then Justice Department vacated the Victorian James Barnet-designed courthouse on Hay Street.

Quotes from Attorney General Michael Daley

“We are committed to delivering an efficient criminal justice system for the people of NSW.

An essential part of this is ensuring that our courts infrastructure is up to date and has the capacity to deal with the crime from the area it serves.

Port Macquarie Courthouse now has an extra court room, up-to-the-minute security to keep court users safe, as well as enhanced facilities for staff.

“It is heartening to see that part of this project is the installation of solar panels to support our commitment to the future and to the environment.”