02 May 2016 Riverine Herald, Echuca VIC (General News) DANGEROUS COURT GETS URGENT SAFETY OVERHAUL FULL STORY PAGE 3 $1.1m court order is a win for public safety There has been issues at the courthouse for quite some time and it is important these are addressed so we can make it a safer place for everyone. Martin Pakula By Tyla Harrington ECHUCA Magistrates Court is on track to not be falling short in the future. The Victorian Government has finally announced $1.1 million in funding to make the courthouse safer. The upgrade will provide separate court access from Campaspe Shires office, as well as waiting rooms and safe interview rooms to support victims of family violence. New court security officers will provide roving patrols and escort services for those vulnerable when required, including for women and children who have been victims of family violence. Attorney-General Martin Pakula and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes were in Echuca on Friday to make the announcement. Obviously the design still has to be done and that will be through consultation with Court Services Victoria and Campaspe Shire, Mr Pakula said. There has been issues at the courthouse for quite some time and it is important these are addressed so we can make it a safer place for everyone. The Echuca community has worked very hard for these upgrades. Which Mr Pakula said would generally improve safety and deliver on key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence. He said security officers would also operate a new walk-through metal detector and hand-held wands to improve safety and reduce the risk of prohibited items being brought into the court building. Ms Symes said it was crucial that when vulnerable people, especially those caught up in family violence, attended court they could do so in a safe manner. Free from threat or intimidation, she said. The upgrade has been a long time coming particulary for Campaspe Shire. Council put Courts Services Victoria on notice last year when it gave six months for it to make the facility safer or be given the boot. This was after a brawl erupted outside the courthouse. The Department of Justice leases the building, next to the shire offices and civic centre, from Campaspe Shire on a month-to-month basis. Councils chief executive Jason Russell welcomed the announcement. I think it is a fantastic outcome for the community to help address safety and comfort concerns, he said. Council and the community have been asking for it for the last 12 months. We would like to see this as stage one of a larger project which would ensure the long term tenure of the court in Echuca. We think this announcement should be part of a bigger picture. Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh also said it was comforting news for the community. One of the major issues has been the lack of a safe waiting space for people involved in family violence cases and/or the scourge which can come from ice addiction, he said. Victims, families and perpetrators have often had to wait in the foyer of the court in close proximity. In the very least women who are victims of domestic violence deserve some safe and private spaces when they face their perpetrator in court. A remodeled court house will take this into account and is a very significant and welcome step forward. Caption Text: Court decision: Attorney General Martin Pakula, Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes and magistrate David Faram welcomed Fridays news. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong