The courthouse closed late last year and has been empty since because it was assessed by the Ministry for Courts as being an earthquake risk. Court staff were relocated to another Oamaru building and hearings held in the Opera House.
It was estimated it could cost $5 million to bring it up to earthquake standards, which was described as "a joke" by Cr Peter Garvan at a Waitaki District Council meeting yesterday.
After criticism of the estimate by Mr Familton, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean and local people, including a local engineer whose estimate was less than $500,000, Minister for Courts Chester Burrows visited Oamaru and inspected the interior of the building.
Mr Familton said the council remained committed to "an open and constructive dialogue" with the ministry on the courthouse and future court services in Oamaru.
Mr Burrows had indicated matters he wanted to be looked into, particularly reassessing the cost.
"I'm waiting to hear back from the minister, I expect next week," Mr Familton said.
Cr Craig Dawson questioned whether an assessment had been made of the building to determine what effects the Canterbury earthquakes had had.
"I would say zero," Mr Familton said about the effects, "but I do not believe anyone has assessed in detail [the building] before or after the quakes."
