Port Macquarie Courthouse

Port Macquarie, NSW

Port Macquarie Courthouse is part of the Department of Justice’s regional cluster Courthouse upgrade program. The expansion, upgrade and refurbishment were born from the growing business needs to facilitate longer and more complex hearings. DEM was appointed as the Principal Design Consultant managing a large team of consultants from project establishment through to final handover.

Additions included a new large local Courtroom, new office accommodation for registry staff, magistrate’s chambers, and breakout. Internal alterations included new secure lobby upgrades, gun room, secure meeting spaces and registry counter to comply with the rigorous Department of Communities and Justices’ new security standards. Working within the existing building footprint alterations to the entry façade and internal rooms, the design team were able provide a fully compliant security layout within limited floor area.

The building extension was designed to tie into the exiting registry area, providing a new contemporary addition that is sympathetic to the existing building. The addition and internal alterations were all carefully and meticulously planned over a 12month program to enable full functionality of the existing courthouse during construction.