New $190m court building opens

A Public Private Partnership project between the state government and Western Liberty Group has been delivered with the completion of one of Perth's new District Court building.

Premier Alan Carpenter today opened the new building which features extensive underground holding cells and the latest high-tech surveillance and security.

The courthouse was developed under a public-private partnership with Western Liberty Group a consortia with Brookfield Multiplex Constructions as the builder. Under the agreement, WLG would maintain the building until 2032 and provide some key services including custodial, security and court transcription.

The building is part of the government's pledged $26billion in capital works projects over the next four years.

Below are statements made by the Premier and WLG

High security court opens for business.

Western Australia now has one of the world's most secure courthouses, designed specifically to deal with maximum security trials and the threat of terrorist attacks.

Premier Alan Carpenter today opened the new $190million District Court building which features extensive underground holding cells and the latest high-tech surveillance and security features.

Mr Carpenter said the facility would streamline the work of the court, leading to reduced wait times for trials and added security for staff, jurors, prisoners and court visitors.

"This impressive building has been designed to include the most advanced technology available," he said.

"The courthouse represents the future for justice complexes.

"The security features will reassure people who attend court for work or to give evidence, especially during high-profile cases such as those involving outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime syndicates."

The Premier said the court's specialist high-security courtroom was one of the most secure in Australia and was among the most secure in the world.

"Glazed panels allow the accused, witnesses, members of the jury and the public gallery to be separated by bullet-proof glass," he said.

"The specialised security system incorporates dozens of CCTV cameras monitored by security guards and all visitors must pass through airport-style screening which includes metal detectors and x-ray machines.

"Separate entrances, passages and remote witness facilities ensure victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses do not have to confront alleged perpetrators or their supporters.

"The new building - with 24 criminal and civil courtrooms - will meet the needs of the District Court for years to come and its design has already attracted keen interest from other States and Territories."

The new courthouse provided:

- eight additional criminal courts (taking the total to 20) enabling the District Court to list more criminal cases and reduce court delays; and
- three additional video courts (taking the total to 14) allowing more witnesses and victims of crime to present their evidence remotely.

"WA's District Court handles more than 6,000 criminal and civil matters each year and these new facilities will provide an improved working environment and continue to reduce trial delays," Mr Carpenter said.

"This financial year, the average lead time for criminal trials in the District Court is expected to decrease almost 20 per cent, with a further 10 per cent reduction expected next year. People are now waiting an average of 40 weeks to go to trial compared to well over 50 weeks in 2006."

The Premier said the new District Court building was developed under a public-private partnership with Western Liberty Group (WLG), a consortia with Brookfield Multiplex Constructions as the builder. Under the agreement, WLG would maintain the building until 2032 and provide some key services including custodial, security and court transcription.

"This innovative partnership has resulted in an impressive District Court building delivered on budget and on time," Mr Carpenter said.

The official opening ceremony took place before about 150 guests, including senior judges from local and interstate courts, as well as senior members of the legal profession.

The Chief Justice, the Hon. Wayne Martin; the Chief Judge of the District Court,
Her Honour Antoinette Kennedy; and the Attorney General Jim McGinty joined the Premier at the opening.

The new District Court building is located opposite the Central Law Courts complex, which is planned for renovation, on the corner of Hay and Irwin Streets in central Perth.

WLG statement:

ABN AMRO and Western Liberty Group are pleased to announce the completion of the new District Court Building of Western Australia (DCB) and to welcome all court users.

ABN AMRO is the sole sponsor of the Private Sector Partner Western Liberty Group (WLG), who in 2004 won the contract to design, construct and operate the DCB for a 24 year term.

The project is the first Public Private Partnership (PPP) to be delivered in Western Australia under the Partnerships for Growth Policy (2002). The PPP delivery model has provided the government and tax payers with a high degree of budget and project delivery certainty.

It has also provided incentives for WLG to deliver an innovative and efficient solution which has ultimately delivered improved service quality for the people of Western Australia as well as providing increased capacity to meet future demands.
WLG General Manager Judith McCombe said the working relationship between WLG and the Department of the Attorney General was crucial to the project's success.

"Together with the State we have undertaken extensive consultation with local and state agencies, Heritage Authority, the Judiciary, legal practitioners, Aboriginal elders and others to ensure this project appropriately meets the needs of the WA community," she said.

"The result is a building that not only has great functionality and efficiency, but also complements the surrounding city landscape.

"We now look forward to operating the building over the next 24 years."

ABN AMRO is a market leader in the delivery of Public Private Partnerships throughout Australia and New Zealand, having delivered over 25 PPP's.

Recent examples include the Darwin Cove Convention Centre, Southbank Education and Training Precinct in Brisbane, NSW Rollingstock, Brisbane North South Bypass Tunnel, Southern Cross Station Redevelopment in Melbourne, the Victorian County Courts, Defence Headquarters Joint Operations Command Centre and the
New South Wales Schools I and II projects.