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The Downing Centre courthouse in Sydney is expected to remain closed until at least late 2025 following significant flooding damage caused by a burst water main last month.
NSW’s busiest courthouse, the Downing Centre, is now expected to remain closed until at least late 2025, after a burst water main flooded critical electrical and mechanical infrastructure in its lower levels.
The incident occurred on 17 June, when a Sydney Water main ruptured beneath Castlereagh Street, directly outside the courthouse.
The resulting flood caused extensive damage to both the Downing Centre and an Ausgrid substation that powers the building, which remains disconnected from its electricity supply.
The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) had initially estimated that the court – which handles nearly 30,000 cases each year – would be closed for just four weeks while repairs were carried out.
However, an update published on 9 July revealed that a full site inspection by electrical engineers and other specialists found two key pieces of infrastructure – an electrical transformer and a switchboard – critically damaged and in need of replacement.
“External agencies have estimated this process will extend into late 2025, but work is ongoing to determine whether these replacements can be expedited,” the department said in its update.
The Downing Centre, which houses a number of local and district courtrooms, will remain closed until the affected infrastructure is replaced and the building is once again deemed “safe and fully functional”.
In addition to the essential repairs, the department confirmed that the extended closure will also provide an opportunity to bring forward planned upgrades to the Downing Centre, including improvements to public areas and courtrooms as part of efforts to modernise the facility.
In the interim, judicial officers and court staff are “making every effort” to mitigate the impact of the disruption on court users.
Matters originally scheduled at the Downing Centre are being relocated to alternative venues, including the John Maddison Tower, Central Local Court, King Street and Darlinghurst courts.
Efforts are also underway to find more permanent arrangements for jury assembly and courtroom allocations, with heads of jurisdiction working closely with the DCJ to maintain access to justice throughout the disruption.
