Seymour Magistrates' Court. File photo.

The Andrews Labor Government says it has delivered a safer courthouse in Seymour through a safety and security upgrade.

Attorney-General Martin Pakula visited Seymour on Wed. (Oct. 3) with Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Syme,s to inspect the $326,000 upgrades at the Seymour Law Court, which were completed in June.

Built in 1974, the Seymour Law Court hears matters from the Magistrates’ Court, Children’s Court, Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, and VCAT.

The building upgrade provides people affected by family violence with safer court facilities, including a new private waiting area and interview room, and security improvements to the entrance and registry.

Works also included roof repairs, painting and plastering, improved heating and cooling, new carpet, and new disabled toilet facilities.

The Court continued to sit throughout the renovation period, and additional security measures at the court were also introduced in December 2017, with three new security officers now present at the court on sitting days to undertake entry screening, provide a roving security presence, and escort vulnerable court users when needed.

The upgrades and new security officers formed part of the government’s $58.1 million investment in court safety and security upgrades across Victoria in the 2016-17 Budget, and $12.2m investment in court sustainability in the 2017-18 Budget.

The Court sat throughout the renovation period, with almost 5200 hearings held during 2017-18, including 755 family violence matters.

The works deliver on Recommendation 182 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence by better supporting victim survivors of family violence in rural, regional and remote communities.

“The upgraded safety, security and access features at the Seymour Law Court are part of the Andrews Labor Government’s record investment in courts infrastructure across Victoria,” said Attorney-General Martin Pakula.

“We’re implementing all of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence and providing more support for victims in regional and remote communities across Northern Victoria.”

Jaclyn Symes, Labor MLC for Northern Victoria, said: “The refurbishment is of real benefit to everyone attending the Seymour Law Court, and especially for those participating in family violence related proceedings.”

– News release issued by the State Government