| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| BASS COAST SHIRE COUNCIL ABN 81 071 510 240 vs BRENDON FRITH-WINDUSS | SOE | 10:00 am |
| AGNEW, N** V R** K** | Courtroom 1 | 10:00 am |
| MICHAEL, R** V R** K** | Courtroom 1 | 10:00 am |
| CLARKE, D** V C** D** | Courtroom 1 | 10:00 am |
| O'CONNOR, B** V C** D** | Courtroom 1 | 10:00 am |
| HILL, J** V C** D** | Courtroom 1 | 10:00 am |
Last updated: 08 Sep 2026, 9:47 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
The Wonthaggi Magistrates' Court is a regional venue of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria, sitting on Watt Street in the coastal town of Wonthaggi, postcode 3995, roughly 135 kilometres south-east of Melbourne in the Gippsland region. It serves the communities of the Bass Coast and neighbouring parts of South Gippsland, hearing everyday legal matters at the first tier of the Victorian court hierarchy. If you have received a summons, an intervention order application, a traffic infringement notice, or a civil claim listed at this court, this page explains how the venue works, what it hears, and how to prepare so your appearance runs smoothly.
As a regional court, Wonthaggi does not sit every weekday. It typically opens for hearings on Tuesday and Friday during standard business hours of 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, and the building closes for lunch between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm on sitting days. Because listings and sitting patterns change with the court calendar, and because registry functions for this venue are coordinated through the nearby Korumburra Magistrates' Court, you should always confirm your date, time, and courtroom with the registry before you travel. Checking the published daily list on the morning of your matter is the single most reliable way to know where you need to be.
Where the Wonthaggi Magistrates' Court sits in Victoria's court system
The Magistrates' Court is the entry point of the Victorian justice system, sitting below the County Court and the Supreme Court. It is by far the busiest tier: the Magistrates' Court handles roughly 90 per cent of all cases that reach a court in Victoria, and it operates across more than 50 locations statewide so that justice remains accessible to people regardless of where they live. Wonthaggi is one of those regional venues, alongside larger Gippsland centres and dozens of smaller courthouses where a magistrate may sit only one or two days a week.
A defining feature of this level of court is that there is no jury. Every matter is heard and determined by a single judicial officer, the magistrate, who decides questions of both fact and law. Decisions made here can be appealed to the County Court, and in limited circumstances a question of law can be taken to the Supreme Court. Understanding this structure matters, because it shapes how quickly matters move and what outcomes are available at each stage.
What the Wonthaggi Magistrates' Court hears
The court's jurisdiction is broad despite its position at the base of the hierarchy. In criminal law, it deals with summary offences, which are less serious charges tried and decided by a magistrate alone. These include the bulk of everyday offending: traffic offences, drink and drug driving, low-level assault, theft, criminal damage, drug possession, and most breaches of intervention orders. The court can also hear certain indictable offences summarily where the charge falls within prescribed limits and the parties consent, which keeps many matters local rather than sending them to a higher court in Melbourne.
On the civil side, the Magistrates' Court can decide disputes about money or property up to a value of $100,000, covering debts, damages claims, contract disputes, and claims arising from motor vehicle accidents. Claims above that threshold are generally commenced in the Victorian County Court, which hears more serious criminal matters and larger civil disputes before a judge and sometimes a jury. The Wonthaggi court also handles a range of family and safety matters, including family violence intervention orders and personal safety intervention orders, both of which are among the most common applications heard at regional venues.
Pre-hearing procedures and specialist lists
Beyond finalising cases, the Magistrates' Court manages the early stages of criminal proceedings. This includes bail application hearings, committal hearings for serious charges destined for a higher court, and mention dates where matters are listed for administrative progress. Across the state, the court also runs specialist lists, such as the Assessment and Referral Court for accused persons living with complex mental illness or cognitive impairment, and the Koori Court, which provides a culturally informed process for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants. Availability of these specialist lists varies by venue, so it is worth asking the registry whether a relevant program applies to your matter.
The town and region the court serves
Wonthaggi is the administrative centre and council seat of the Bass Coast Shire, a local government area of about 866 square kilometres that had a population of roughly 35,300 in 2018 and continues to grow steadily. The town itself recorded a population of about 8,430 at the 2021 census. Historically a State coal mining town until the mines closed in 1968, Wonthaggi has since shifted toward building, trades, and services, and the wider shire draws thousands of visitors each year to Phillip Island and the surrounding coast. This mix of a settled local population and a large seasonal visitor influx shapes the everyday caseload of the court, from traffic matters to civil disputes.
The court sits within the State electorate of Bass and the Federal division of Monash. For residents of nearby towns such as Inverloch, Cape Paterson, San Remo, Cowes, and the Bass Valley farming districts, Wonthaggi is the closest Magistrates' Court venue, which is why confirming the correct listing location is important when registry services are shared with the Korumburra Magistrates' Court list nearby.
Preparing for your appearance
Arriving prepared reduces stress and helps your matter proceed without unnecessary adjournment. Plan to be at the courthouse well before your listed time, dress neatly and conservatively, and be ready to spend most of the day at court, because listings are grouped rather than given exact individual times.
- Photo identification: bring a current driver licence or passport.
- Court paperwork: carry your summons, charge sheet, or any official correspondence about your matter.
- Supporting documents: bring any evidence, references, or paperwork you intend to rely on.
- Security screening: expect to pass through a security check and to empty your pockets into a tray on entry.
- Registry check-in: report to the registry on arrival so the court knows you are present, then wait to be directed to the correct courtroom.
The building offers wheelchair-accessible entry and accessible toilets, and remote witness facilities or audio-visual links may be available where a witness cannot attend in person. Parking near the court is on-street only, so allow extra time to find a space, particularly during busy periods. If you need an interpreter, arrange this through the registry in advance rather than on the day.
Checking the Wonthaggi daily court list
The published daily list tells you which matters are listed, in which courtroom, and in what order. Because regional venues sit on limited days and share coordination with other courts, checking the current list online before you leave home is the safest way to avoid a wasted trip. You can view current listings for the venue on the Wonthaggi daily court list and compare with other venues through the broader Victorian Magistrates' Court daily list when your matter has moved or been reallocated.
Frequently asked questions
What days does the Wonthaggi Magistrates' Court sit?
The court usually sits on Tuesday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, closing for lunch between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Sitting days can change with the court calendar, so always confirm with the registry before attending.
What is the maximum civil claim the court can hear?
The Magistrates' Court can decide civil disputes up to $100,000. Claims above that amount are generally commenced in the County Court of Victoria.
Does the Wonthaggi Magistrates' Court hear intervention order matters?
Yes. The court hears applications for family violence intervention orders and personal safety intervention orders, which are among the most common matters listed at regional venues.
Is there a jury at the Magistrates' Court?
No. All matters at this level are heard and decided by a single magistrate, without a jury.
How do I confirm my hearing details?
Check the published daily list on the morning of your matter and contact the court registry to confirm your date, time, and courtroom, as registry services for this venue are coordinated through the Korumburra Magistrates' Court.
