Shepparton Law Courts Project

The $73 million Shepparton Law Courts was officially opened on Friday 23 March 2018 by the Honourable Martin Pakula MP, Attorney-General, in the presence of Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen. 

The Law Courts form a regional headquarters for the Hume/Goulburn region, completing the major urban precinct centered on the open and transparent delivery of justice in Greater Shepparton and beyond.

The purpose-designed building sets the standard for modern multi-jurisdictional courts, providing more accessible and responsive services for regional Victoria and improving access to justice for the Shepparton community. The design aligns to the Court Services Victoria Strategic Asset Plan priorities of ensuring that Victorian court and tribunal buildings are modern, technology enabled, safe, secure and sustainable. 

The new facilities reflect contemporary applications of courthouse design, information technology, environmental sustainability and changing justice delivery models. The design also ensures capability to accommodate future service demands in the region.

The building features a welcoming entry lobby inspired by the image of the ancient River Red Gum. The base of the new building is founded on brick, in memory of older country court houses.

With its prominent corner position, the new five-story building will engage with the older 1930s courthouse on High Street by way of a generous landscaped public plaza that will serve staff and visitors for years to come. The forecourt forms part of Stage Two works.

The new facility comprises six main courtrooms with the capacity to vary their use to meet caseload requirements. An increased number of interview rooms and break out spaces are also available for use by clinical, legal and voluntary service providers on days when they are attending at court. Separate facilities are provided for juries, the judiciary, law enforcement officers, legal services, and staff and all required administrative services. 

The development provides 7,900m2 of space over five stories, on a 2,700m2 site (54m x 50m) and is located at the corner of High Street and Wyndham Streets (at the intersection of Goulburn Valley Highway and Midland Highway) in Shepparton (190km north of Melbourne).

Project Team

• Builder: ADCO Construction
• Principle Consultant: Architectus + GHD Woodhead + Guymer Bailey Architects
• Project Manager: Ontoit
• Quantity Surveyor: Wilde and Woollard