Courts

As mentioned in our August 2024 Noosa 360 update, work on the Maroochydore Courthouse to provide improved services for those impacted by domestic and family violence (DFV) is underway.

With a new Government after the 2024 October State Election, Sandy sought confirmation that these improvements would continue as planned and advocated the need for a dedicated DFV court on the Sunshine Coast. The Queensland Attorney General provided reassurances in their response and, while a specialist DFV court is currently not planned for the Sunshine Coast, key elements will be introduced at the Maroochydore Courthouse to improve the experience and safety of people with DFV matters through delivery of enhanced registry responses and coordination of wrap-around services.

In response to resident queries on what specifically is being delivered at the Maroochydore Courthouse, we have obtained the following from the Attorney General regarding:

  • DFV court coordinator to assist in enhancing registry responses and stakeholder engagement and coordination.
  • Cross-agency governance groups (Operational Working Groups [OWG])
  • Maroochydore is in the design stage for infrastructure works which are proposed to include a new dedicated DFV safe room with direct access to an existing criminal courtroom, registry refurbishment and security entry upgrade. Security measures are in place as per usual court operations.
  • Specialist DFV duty lawyers to provide advice and representation for people involved in DFV court matters.
  • Registry staff have access to and undertake professional development to support a wide range of court users, including those attending court in relation DFV proceedings.
  • Funded services are available on site to provide support to parties, i.e., UnitingCare (who deliver a Men’s Behaviour Change Program) and Centacare (who provide support for victim/survivors). The QPS Vulnerable Persons Unit also provides a resource (a staff member) to speak with respondents to promote accountability and referrals to UnitingCare.
  • Friends at Court: voluntary service connecting court users with direction and information about services on the day of court.

Sandy welcomes these outcomes, with significant improvements in Maroochydore. We will continue efforts regarding the need for a dedicated DFV court on the Sunshine Coast, with the additional needed measures not incorporated in the improvements mentioned above, including enhanced court security officers, dedicated judicial and Queensland corrective service officers, specialist registry staff, and specialist triage and reception staff. We will continue to update as new information becomes available.

Improving the twelve-month protective order process

Under current laws, police attending DFV incidents can hand out a five-day police protection notice to alleged perpetrators. Beyond that, matters are pursued in court. The state government has committed to introducing legislation to make it easier for police to issue this order. The changes will also empower police to issue on-the-spot twelve-month protection directions without going to court, thereby freeing up police resources in court applications.

Considering this, we would appreciate feedback from Noosa electorate residents to inform our ongoing advocacy on what other processes need to be improved relating to DFV. Please email our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Housing for domestic violence impacted families and households

As mentioned in our March 2025 housing Noosa 360 update, Sandy facilitated a partnership between Coast2Bay Housing Group and our local Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast branches for the construction of DFV units locally and further south. We have requested an update on construction, which is expected to be completed before end of year, and we will post to Noosa 360 once a response has been received.

Further information 

For our previous updates regarding domestic and family violence, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=domestic+violence.

To view our previous Noosa 360 updates on crime/ youth recidivism, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Crime, for policing, head to www.sandybolton.com/?s=Police.

For emergencies, please dial 000 immediately. Call Policelink on 131444 for non-urgent reporting and enquiries, saving the need for you to make reports at a local station. You can also report online at www.police.qld.gov.au/policelink-reporting. These reports are then sent to the local officers on duty 24/7.

Direct advocacy to the state government can be emailed to the following ministers: