The $2.2 million upgrade to Orange Courthouse was officially opened on Friday.
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NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman officially opened the completed project, which has been in operation since August.
Mr Speakman said the upgrade, which was completed by Dubbo-based David Payne Construction, mixes the courthouse's rich heritage with modern design.
"The works go way beyond the cosmetic, with the complex now boasting some of the best security and amenities of any court in regional NSW including new airport style scanners," Mr Speakman said.
The entrance was extended to accommodate the foyer's new security equipment, and there is a new secure exit.
The internal redesign has also enabled a new sheriff's office and search room to be added.
There were also upgrades to the jury deliberation room and the registry, along with the judge's chambers and associate's office.
"We've got a new remote witness room relocated, and a new safe room for domestic violence victims, that is so important for domestic violence victims complainants who present in court," Mr Speakman said.
"We know how traumatised they have been when they have been attacked by those who are meant to love them. They are retraumatised when they have to come to court and tell their story again.
"So it's important that we do everything we can to make that encounter with the criminal justice system the least traumatic as possible."
The works go way beyond the cosmetic, with the complex now boasting some of the best security and amenities of any court in regional NSW including new airport style scanners.
- Attorney General Mark Speakman
Mr Speakman said that compliments legislative reforms the state government is putting through parliament at the moment.
"In domestic violence criminal trials there will be a presumption in favour of a closed court when the complainant is giving evidence, and also a presumption to entitlement to give evidence remotely by audio visual link when a complainant is giving evidence," he said.
He said the upgrade also followed the appointing for seven new district court judges across NSW.
"That includes a resident judge who deals with Orange, Bathurst and Parkes, Judge [Graham] Turnbull who this government appointed," Mr Speakman said.
"Crime generally in NSW is going sideways or down but police are doing their job better than ever.
"They are detecting more crims, they have better investigation techniques, better technology, better equipment and it's said the average police officer now is about 50 per cent more productive than he or she was back in the 1990s.
"So while crime is going sideways or down, arrests and presentations to court are going up and that's why it's so important to be investing not only in personnel but in courthouses as well."
Central West Member of the Legislative Council Sam Farraway said the project directly created jobs for more than 75 local tradespeople.
"[It] provided a welcome economic boost for the the Central West region, as it deals with the financial impacts of the worst drought on record and the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr Faraway said.
Orange Courthouse also benefited from an additional $155,000 of the NSW Government's $9 million COVID-19 stimulus package fundung new carpets, painting of interiors and three new flagpoles.
"For the first time now we have the Australian, state and Aboriginal flags flying, where we stand is an important Aboriginal site," Mr Speakman said.
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