Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (23:00): (2043) My adjournment is to the Attorney-General. The new Bendigo law courts opened in February 2023, and since that time the beautiful historic building, the old Bendigo law courts, has been left vacant. I commend the National Trust central Victoria branch, who gained access to the building to run public tours during the Bendigo heritage festival from 12 April to 12 May this year. I first asked the Attorney-General about the future use of the old Bendigo law courts in November 2023. In response, the former Attorney-General said:

Courts Services Victoria … is responsible for the management of the historic Bendigo Magistrates’ Court and will continue to manage and maintain the historic building through a staged transition process. The transition process will include the necessary acquittal of heritage requirements to ensure conservation and preservation works are identified, and to inform a consultation process on the future use of the building.

The government and CSV are committed to open, collaborative and meaningful engagement with the community to ensure the future use of the historic building is respectful of its contribution to the City of Bendigo and provides value back to the community it served.

That was two years ago, and the building still sits empty and no community consultation has taken place. Thankfully, the National Trust of Bendigo have not given up and are working with Court Services Victoria to access the building to conduct tours of the site. There has been some confusion over the management of the courts – whether it is Court Services Victoria, the Department of Transport and Planning or the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

This building is a stunning piece of heritage architecture right in the centre of Bendigo. In raising this matter today I acknowledge the tireless advocacy of Peter Cox OAM, a former mayor and councillor who was president of the Bendigo branch of the National Trust and was committed to heritage preservation and championed the protection of the region’s rich history. He passed away in July this year following a short battle with cancer, and I wish to extend my condolences to his family. Peter’s work and commitment to saving the old Bendigo law courts from falling into further disrepair continues. His work also continues through the work of the National Trust Bendigo branch, and the action I seek is for the Attorney-General to visit Bendigo and tour the old Bendigo law courts with the National Trust central Victoria branch to see firsthand the unique architecture and to commit to working with the City of Greater Bendigo and the local community to deliver the open, collaborative and meaningful engagement that was promised and open the door for this grand building to be utilised once again. And the minister’s response ahead of the annual general meeting of the local branch on 25 November would be most welcome.