Nelson Courthouse reopens this week
After being closed for nearly four months due to its earthquake risk, the Nelson courthouse will be reopened to the public on Wednesday.
In February, the Bridge St courthouse was closed suddenly, after parts of its were found to only meet 15% of the New Building Standard.
Work to address what the Ministry of Justice described as a “potentially critical seismic risk” has now been completed, with the building set to reopen on June 4.
It was recommended steel bracing be installed in the building, which underwent a $10 million rebuild in 2010, as a precautionary measure.
In the wake of the initial assessment, engineers had said the courthouse could be occupied, as it was the connection between the original courthouse and a building extension constructed in 2007, which was the safety concern.
However, the ministry said at the time it announced the temporary closure that it was “prudent” to shut the entire complex.
The building contained five courtrooms, with two specifically designed for jury trials, along with interview rooms, judicial chambers and cells.
During the closure, Nelson’s court and tribunal work had been run out of temporary sites, with some appearances moved to Blenheim.
In a statement, the ministry said further earthquake strengthening work will be undertaken once a more detailed targeted seismic assessment was completed.
It advised that engineers had given the green light for the building to be reoccupied while the additional work was carried out.
Robert Loos, Ministry of Justice regional services manager, acknowledged the disruptions caused by the remediation work.
He also thanked the judiciary, court users and the wider community for its support during the court’s temporary closure.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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