A Macedon Ranges councillor has suggested a kindergarten could be converted in order to ease waiting space problems at Kyneton Magistrates Court.
Cr John Letchford said it was outrageous that people, including family violence victims, were forced to wait under trees or in their cars.
He said the nearby Lady Brooks Kindergarten could be incorporated as part of a court precinct plan, with the kinder possibly shifted to a new site as part of the Kyneton Primary School redevelopment.
‘‘It makes good sense to have that in mind for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable community members attending court,’’ Cr Letchford said.
A notice of motion proposed by him was approved at last month’s council meeting.
The council will write to Court Services Victoria to push for improvements to the court arrangements.
Community lawyers and welfare groups have called for the historic bluestone court to be urgently upgraded, with family violence victims often forced to wait outside near perpetrators due to the lack of a waiting room.
The public area of the courthouse has not been upgraded since it was built in the 1850s.
Cr Letchford urged the state government to work with the council to achieve the best solution.
