“There’s a major problem with the building, the Fawlty Towers we’re in,” Magistrate Peter Miszalski said on Wednesday.  

He was reacting to the delayed opening  of the courthouse after  flooding, which meant staff, lawyers and defendents could not use the toilets, any other water facilities or the audio-visual link.

The drama unfolded in the morning, when temperatures dropped to between zero and two degrees.

The apparent temperature had been as low as -4.9 at about 4.30am. 

Flooding caused by burst pipes prevented the normal 9.30am start  and the courthouse stayed locked as lawyers waited outside. 

The building opened after 10am, with Armidale Local Court matters moved to courtroom one as courtroom two had been put out of action.

Police prosecutor Jim McDonald and Magistrate Miszalski arrived  later  because of confusion about the starting time. 

Once court began at 11.20am, Magistrate Miszalski told the court he was going to hear matters as quickly as possible so the building could be closed for repairs. 

Water was restored in the afternoon, when the carpet was also cleaned.  

Registrar Dane Sinclair said the pipes had frozen as with many others in Armidale winters. 

“They were outside, exposed to the elements, and got that extra bit cold and they went,” he said. 

“Whether it should have happened in a new building isn’t for me to comment. 

“We’re up and running again but there are repairs to be done.” 

Mr Sinclair said no major damage was caused by the flooding.

The courthouse opened in January with NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith calling it one of the best in the state.