“There are no plans to permanently close Bellingen Court.”
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This assurance was given by the Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, last week following questions from the Courier Sun.
Concerns were raised in September last year by Bellingen resident Peter Opdenberg that the current arrangement, whereby people from Bellingen Shire have to travel to Coffs Harbour for court matters, would become permanent.
This was followed by a letter to Mrs Pavey from Bellingen Shire Council stressing the need for locally based services rather than the regional level at Coffs Harbour due to the lack of easy public transport and also the potentially large distances (more than 100 km) for shire residents in far-flung parts of the shire or from Ebor.
“Two different school buses and then a public bus from Bellingen would be the only transport plateau residents could access … residents would then need the court process to finish early enough to catch the school bus back or pay for overnight accommodation,” mayor Dominic King wrote.
He also noted the cost of a taxi from Coffs would be prohibitive.
Mrs Pavey said the current arrangements were only temporary until repairs to the building were undertaken.
"The Court Services' Regional Director Hunter/ North will arrange to meet with the Bellingen Shire Council General Manager to clarify the services provided by a court registry and to discuss temporary arrangements for Bellingen community to access justice,” Mrs Pavey said.
In the interim, Service NSW is using the Bellingen Youth Hub as the meeting place for drivers' licence testing.
- Melinda Pavey
"I would like to iterate to the community that I understand the importance of the Bellingen Courthouse and the service provided to locals, and, I am doing all I can to ensure these continue."
If you wish to register your support for the local service you can email courtservices@justice.nsw.gov.au and Mrs Pavey, oxley@parliament.nsw.gov.au. It is suggested copies are also sent to Bellingen Shire Council.
Court enquiries can be directed to NSW Courts Service Centre – 1300 679 272.