Campbelltown City Council supports the Law Society’s call for a Justice Precinct in South West Sydney.
As the fastest growing population in Australia, the Macarthur community has an increasing need for community services, including access to justice.
“An expansion of Campbelltown’s existing court precinct presents the opportunity to address the current absence of Federal (including Family) Courts in Western Sydney,” said Mayor George Brticevic.
“The attraction of a Court of Federal jurisdiction in this precinct would ease the burden for families attempting to resolve disputes, currently having to travel many hours to access justice services,” Cr Brticevic said.
“In addition to the community benefit from accessing these services, a substantial justice precinct in Campbelltown City would deliver a major economic anchor in the Campbelltown CBD, creating higher order employment and improved opportunities for knowledge sharing,” he said.
Campbelltown’s crime statistics are generally stable as a percentage of population and increased growth brings additional pressure on the courts.
“Already in Sydney’s South West, our community experiences extended periods of time to resolve criminal matters, far longer than our inner-city counterparts,” said General Manager, Lindy Deitz.
“This not only affects victims and their families in prolonging their distress, but also defendants, often in remand awaiting their day in court. The flow on effect of this delay causes increases in people in custody for extended periods prior to trial, at significant cost to the community,” Ms Deitz said.
“Campbelltown’s existing justice precinct, currently servicing Local, Children’s and District Court needs, requires investment to increase in size to accommodate the growing needs of the community it serves,” she said.
The existing precinct is readily accessed through existing transport networks including the M31 freeway, public transport and bus networks already frequenting this court precinct.
“The close proximity of the Police Station presents a further opportunity to explore co-location of emergency services, creating efficiencies in processing and transport.”
