The Burnie council have officially told the state exactly where they can shove their proposed new court complex.
Right back into the central business district.
The Burnie City Council on Tuesday night voted to tell the state of the "concern and opposition that many interests within the local, professional and resident community (feel) towards the relocation of the Burnie courthouse from the Burnie town centre to the former UTAS site on Mooreville Road", and to also "specify alternative sites within the CBD".
The motion was in response to what the council has now labelled a "shortsighted" and "illogical" decision to move Burnie's court complex about three kilometres out of the centre of town.
Councillor David Pease led the discussion after amending an original motion put forward by Cr Ken Dorsey.
"The Mooreville Road site is not the preferred site for me," Cr Pease began.
"It's an inefficient location both in terms of access for users and lawyers. It's inefficient for accessing services after court. It's inefficient for Tasmania Police in both attending the court and being called to the court."
Cr Pease described the move as a "shortsighted" use of the building, particularly considering the land behind it had been slated for 70 new affordable homes by the state department of housing.
"The two primary schools in the area, Burnie and Cooee, are at student capacity, yet the area has grown residentially. It'd be a perfect opportunity to relocate all or part of Burnie Primary," he said.
Cr Amina Keygan said the thing that most "disappointed" her was a lack of consultation over the decision to move the courts, which surprised both the city and the council when it was announced last year, triggering multiple petitions and protests in the meantime.
"I would just ask the minister (Attorney-General Elise Archer) and the office to actually stop and listen to what this community is saying," she said.
Cr Dorsey said it was short-sighted, ill considered and illogical.
The motion was passed unanimously.
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor:
Meg Powell
Meg Powell has been a journalist for the Advocate Newspaper in North-West Tasmania since 2019. She has covered a range of areas and issues including crime, health, environmental issues, business, social affairs , the arts and education. Got a story to share? Email megan.powell@theadvocate.com.au or call 0448 302 029
Meg Powell has been a journalist for the Advocate Newspaper in North-West Tasmania since 2019. She has covered a range of areas and issues including crime, health, environmental issues, business, social affairs , the arts and education. Got a story to share? Email megan.powell@theadvocate.com.au or call 0448 302 029
