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 on January 27 and are expected to be complete by June 5.

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

A registrar will be set up each Tuesday at the Portland office of child welfare organisation OzChild during the closure.

Court-related inquiries can be made through the registrar on those days during the six-month period.

People will still need to travel to the Warrnambool Magistrate Court for their hearings.

Concerns were last year raised over the closure of the building as the Warrnambool 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.

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.

READ more: Locals to travel an hour or more for court during much needed renovations

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