Update on Downing Centre flooding incident

A Sydney Water water main burst under Castlereagh Street outside the Downing Centre on June 17. This caused flooding at the Downing Centre and damage to an Ausgrid substation that powers the Downing Centre.

Electrical engineers and other experts have carried out a full inspection of the building and identified that two critical pieces of electrical and mechanical infrastructure – an electrical transformer and switchboard – must be replaced because they were impacted by water during the incident. External agencies have estimated this process will extend into late 2025, but work is ongoing to determine whether these replacements can be expedited.

The building remains disconnected from the substation, which is needed for the building to function, and it has not been confirmed when power will be restored.

At this stage, the Downing Centre is likely to remain closed until at least late 2025 to ensure the building is safe and fully functional. This closure period will also allow for upgrades to the Downing Centre to be brought forward, including improvements to public spaces and courtrooms.

Judicial officers and court staff are making every effort to minimise delays and ensure that matters that were listed in the Downing Centre are able to proceed wherever possible, with matters relocated to alternative locations including John Maddison Tower, Central Court, King Street and Darlinghurst Courts.

Work is also underway to secure more permanent locations for jury assembly, and Heads of Jurisdiction continue to work closely with the Department of Communities and Justice to facilitate access to justice.

The Department of Communities and Justice will issue further updates as they become available.

Local Court

For upcoming matters listed at Downing Centre on or after Monday, 7 July 2025, arrangements have been made to source courtrooms elsewhere within the metropolitan area.

Please see below Legal Practitioner-specific information for Friday, 11 July 2025:

Central Court
1	CUSTODY CHARGE LIST
3	CUSTODY DEFENDED LIST
John Maddison Tower
15A	CHARGE LIST
15B	REGISTRAR’S COURT
15C	BAIL/CUSTODY SENTENCE LIST
15D	HEARINGS TO BE ALLOCATED + PART HEARD MATTERS
16A	DEFENDED LIST
16B	HEARINGS TO BE ALLOCATED + PART HEARD MATTERS
16C	PART HEARD MATTERS
16D	SENTENCE LIST
Burwood
	HEARING
Newtown
	PART HEARD MATTERS

The Bail Division of the Local Court commenced operations on 7 July 2025 as planned from a different location and there should be no change to the anticipated operation of AV bail matters listed before that court.

For enquiries relating to criminal matters listed at Downing Centre, please email the Downing Centre Local Court (dclc@justice.nsw.gov.au). If further information is required in civil matters, please contact the Civil Registry at John Maddison Tower (sydneycivilregistry@justice.nsw.gov.au) for advice on the location or new date allocated for your matter.

District Court

People with matters scheduled in the Sydney District Court are advised to check the Online Court at https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au.

Criminal Trials

Jurors currently empanelled in criminal trials in the Downing Centre will be contacted by the NSW Sheriff’s Office with further updates. If you have received a summons to report for jury duty, please log on to the juror portal for further updates (https://www.juror.nsw.gov.au/home).

Criminal list matters

District Court list matters that would have otherwise been listed in court room 3.1 of the Downing Centre will generally be heard with at John Maddison Tower (JMT), 86-90 Goulburn St, Sydney in Court 21A. Other matters listed in the District Court will also be held in John Maddison Tower and other locations. Please check the online court or noticeboards on Level 1, JMT for further information. If you have any enquires, please contact (ag-sdc-crime@dcj.nsw.gov.au) or check the Online Court website (https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au).

Civil matters

If further information is required in District Court civil matters email the Civil Registry (sydneycivilregistry@justice.nsw.gov.au) for information on the location, or new date allocated, for your matter.

Hearings and other listings in the Civil Jurisdiction will continue to be listed in the John Maddison Tower unless the parties are notified of an alternative location.

Drug Court

People with matters scheduled in the Drug Court are advised to contact the registry by email at DrugCourtSydney@justice.nsw.gov.au or by phone on + 61 (02) 8688 4525 or contact your Community Corrections Officer.

Referrals to the Drug Court remain open with matters now being scheduled at Parramatta.

For all jurisdictions and court locations you may wish to contact the Court Service Centre on 1300 679 272 for information or advice (8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

Further updates will be provided as they become available.