Queensland Courts Safe Room Project
The Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Court Program Safe Room Project saw 20 Queensland courthouses contest their renovation skills, all for a good cause.
The project encouraged friendly competition to create more user-friendly and functional safe rooms for our clients with security concerns.
The project recognised the importance of a comfortable and secure space for clients and their children while waiting for court.
Twenty nominations were received from courthouses from as far north as Thursday Island through to Coolangatta. Each nomination included quotes and an overall cost estimate.
Successful nominees were advised when their expenditure was approved and they got to work. Their refurbishments included recarpeting, repainting and the installation of tea and coffee facilities, children’s furniture and toys, new sofas and televisions.
All work was completed by the first week of July 2018. Each courthouse provided photographs of their rooms for judging.
The joint winners were Belinda Skinner, Registrar, Dalby and her team and Paul Thomas, Registrar, Hervey Bay and his team. Highly commended mentions also went to Colin Brown, Registrar, Noosa and his team and Peter Blake, Registrar, Gympie and his team.
The DFV Safe Room Project came in under budget and on time and has resulted in a more comfortable and secure courthouse environment for many Queensland Courts’ clients.
The newly renovated safe room in Dalby. Photo supplied by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.