Wellington firm McMillan and Lockwood has won the tender to refurbish the Lower Hutt District Court, the Minister for Courts, the Hon Matt Robson announced today.

“Work on the $4.3 million refurbishment will start in January 2000 and is expected to take around 10 months to complete,” Matt Robson said.

“The refurbished Courthouse will provide court users with vastly improved, comfortable and modern facilities, and will allow the Department to offer a full range of services on one site by moving the Disputes Tribunal and Fines Collection out of nearby Woburn House and back to the Courthouse.”

The refurbishment includes:

¨ Construction of an addition to the existing courthouse to provide a new, stand alone Family Court facility;

¨ Construction of 3 additional cells;

¨ A new secure ‘sallyport’ for the transfer of prisoners to and from transportation;

¨ New secure custodial interview rooms;

¨ Installation of a lift to provide disabled access the Courtrooms on 1st floor;

¨ A full interior upgrade and refurbishment to existing building including public counters;

¨ Installation of new air-conditioning/heating systems;

¨ Increasing the size of Courtroom 2;

¨ New facilities for court users such as Duty Solicitor, Police, Community Corrections, Victim Advisors, and Lawyers;

¨ Separate hearing facilities for Disputes and Tenancy Tribunals;

¨ Five additional interview rooms;

¨ Segregated public waiting areas;

¨ Secure witness facilities;

¨ An upgrade of security systems within the courthouse and custodial areas.

Mr Robson said the Department for Courts is currently considering the option of closing the Courthouse during March, April and May next year while the heavy construction work within the existing building takes place. Should this occur, cases would most likely be transferred to Wellington.

Further comment

Matt Robson 025 909 936 Josie Harbutt 025 5888 60 (04) 470 6676

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