The town's courthouse was closed suddenly in December because it was feared the brick building would collapse in a sizeable earthquake. The closure signalled the end of court services in the town, prompting the mayor, local lawyers, and other court users to fight for the return of court services.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Justice confirmed seismic testing had been done on other Balclutha buildings where criminal, family and civil hearings could be held.
Ministry spokesman Nathan Green said the ministry was waiting for the assessment reports before confirming whether Balclutha hearings could resume in one or more of the alternative venues.
The ministry yesterday also had good news for Oamaru, where the historic courthouse, also deemed an earthquake risk, has been closed since December.
Registry services would be offered from the local Work and Income office by early next month and court hearings would be operating from the Oamaru Opera House from mid to late March, Mr Green said.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan met Ministry of Justice district courts general manager Tony Fisher and registrar John Huston in Balclutha on Monday to discuss returning court services to the township.
Mr Cadogan said yesterday he was happy and relieved with the outcome of the meeting.
"It's great to get that positive indication that court services will resume in Balclutha. All we need now is an appropriate building while the courthouse is strengthened."
Balclutha court hearings were transferred to Gore in December and continue there, with some cases and hearings transferred to Dunedin. Registry services in Balclutha were not affected.
