The Gutwein government’s decision to abandon its plans to relocate the Burnie courthouse out of the CBD is a great win for the community, but another indictment of the Liberals’ inability to consult with Tasmanians.
After ignoring locals’ and Labor’s calls to reconsider the planned relocation for so long, it is good news for the Burnie community that this government has finally listened.
But the fact is that this should have happened well before now and community consultation should have been undertaken to determine a new site for the Court in the CBD.
I congratulate the locals and the business community on their strong advocacy and community campaign.
This is yet another example of the Gutwein government failing to deliver what it has promised and failing to listen to local Tasmanian communities.
The plan to relocate the courthouse to the proposed Mooreville Road site was never a viable option, with Burnie residents, businesses and stakeholders expressing concerns about a court in a residential area and the devastating impact of removing 50,000 people each year from the CBD, as well as the impact on the cost of access to legal services.
For the government to dismiss these concerns for so long is the height of arrogance and Peter Gutwein must now go back to the drawing board and ensure the whole community is on board for the redevelopment of the courthouse.
This government now has the chance to do the right thing by the Burnie community to maximise the opportunities for the Burnie CBD and work with the community, small businesses and the Burnie City Council to truly revitalise the city centre.
But, this time, Peter Gutwein needs to really listen to the community to ensure this is a project the community can be proud of, which delivers economic and social benefits for Burnie and improved access to justice across the North West and West Coasts.
Anita Dow MP
Labor Member for Braddon
