Inverell Courthouse set to receive upgraded amenities block

Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay has welcomed confirmation from the NSW Government that a $50,000 upgrade of public amenities at the Inverell Courthouse will commence in mid-February.
Mr Torbay said community representatives, solicitors and the Inverell Shire Council had written to him about the dangerous state of the toilet block calling for urgent repairs.
"The Inverell Courthouse is a busy facility and access to clean amenities is a basic requirement," Mr Torbay said. "I understand that staff from the courthouse were placed in the position of having to lock the public out for their own safety.
"Water leaks had been left unrepaired forming pools of water in the entrances which froze during last winter, the court staff were forced to direct people to the Council chambers across the road.
"I contacted the Attorney General who confirmed that a $50,000 upgrade had been approved early last year, and there has since been confirmation that the work will commence in mid-February.
"The work should be completed by the end of March and I thank the courthouse staff and the community for their patience."
Mr Torbay also secured a commitment from the government last May that Inverell Courthouse is a priority site for the installation of Audio Visual Link (AVL) technology. The technology will allow video-conferencing to take place as well as allowing defendants and witnesses to appear in court from a remote location.