The $575,000 refurbishment of the Portland Magistrates Court will include internal and external painting, replacement of roof spouting and down pipes, repairs to timber winds and external elements, such as retaining walls, and accessible infrastructure such as access ramps, handrails and external toilets.

Works will begin at the end of January next year and are expected to be complete by early June.

The court will be closed while the work is undertaken and matters will be heard at Warrnambool.

Portland lawyer Pat Howman, of HBH Legal, welcomed the renovations but said the four months would not be without difficulties.

"The Portland Magistrates Court is the oldest court house in Victoria and court users have really struggled in recent years to be able to manage our cases and clients adequately," he said.

"We've always said to our clients 'we will meet you at our office, which is the second tree to the left', which is just a bit of a joke that described how much our court is lacking in facilities.

"The upgrade is long-awaited and I think we can't expect the renovations without some inconvenience."

The lawyer said the displacement would be especially problematic for people who find themselves in needy circumstances or have difficulty travelling.

The Warrnambool Magistrates Court is about 100 kilometres from Portland, meaning locals will have to drive for about 70 minutes or spend the three-hour round trip on a bus.

"For those without a motor vehicle, they'll have to find lifts or car pool or spend almost three hours on public transport," Mr Howman said.

"That will be especially difficult for our domestic violence victims and perpetrators, who might be forced onto the same bus for that time.

"I think the judiciary will just have to be very lenient and understanding."

South West Coast MP Roma Britnell said the renovations "desperately needed to take place" but the displacement would obviously create challenges.

"It is a very difficult position and I have particular concern for our victims, especially our family violence victims," she said.

"Women already in a challenging situation will have to add the burden of lengthy transportation. If their only option is the bus, what do they do with their children after school? If their case is the last to be called, how do they get back in time?

"And in situations with intervention orders, how does the affected family member get to the court if the only way is on the bus with (the perpetrator)?

"I think the government needs to have care and consideration to ensure people, particularly women, are not disadvantaged."

Earlier this year, the Maryborough Magistrates Court underwent similar refurbishment works, forcing locals to travel around 40 minutes to Castlemaine for court proceedings.

"This is not the first place in Victoria where this has happened and I am sure there were challenges faced in Maryborough during their renovations," Ms Britnell said.

"We're very limited with our public transport options so I'm sure it would have been a similar situation for those communities around Maryborough. Hopefully the government has taken note of the challenges and will apply those learnings going forward."

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