INDEPENDENT Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest believes the old UTAS Cradle Coast building would fit the needs of a new Burnie court complex.

Ms Forrest said the current complex needed replacing as it "isn't fit for purpose".

"Wherever it is located, it needs to be accessible to get there, the building needs to be accessible itself and it has to be made sure that it doesn't intimidate those that use the facility," Mrs Forrest said.

"There is a need for a new courthouse which is accessible and allows for the proper delivery of justice.

"It will be a good building as it will mean aggrieved parties won't have to congregate in the some spaces.

"That's important for all victims of crime and those things do matter and we should do better.

"Anything we can do to make it easier for families and individuals to mitigate the trauma that can come from being in an adversarial and unfamiliar setting, we should do."

In terms of relocating the court complex outside of the central business district, Ms Forrest said she didn't think it would be "a huge detriment".

"There has been some strong thoughts that there has not been enough consultation with those who live around the old UTAS site," she said.

"Personally, I acknowledge the concerns of those that live there and public safety is one of the main issues.

"We need to remember that the people who work in the courts and use the courts are by and large people who are out in the community.

"If the decision by the Public Works Committee is to recommend the old UTAS site, I think it will be a good facility that would be safe for the community."

The Advocate, Tuesday 4 January 2022