Thousands of ''postcards'' emblazoned with a plea to save Dunedin's historic courthouse will soon be winging their way to Parliament.
In the second public push by the Save our Courthouse group, the postcards were handed out in George St, near the Meridian mall, yesterday by group members Dunedin city councillors David Benson-Pope and Aaron Hawkins and barrister Anne Stevens.
More will be given out at today's Otago Farmers Market.
The postcards ask the five government ministers with portfolios associated with the courthouse for their ''unequivocal commitment to returning our courts to their current home''.
''Dunedin needs, and deserves, a fully functioning court facility. The current situation isn't fit for purpose,'' the cards say.
Cr Benson-Pope said ''a trial run'' of 2500 postcards had been printed, with more to follow.
The card includes photographs showing heritage buildings protected and strengthened by private owners and the Dunedin City Council, notes this ''proud legacy'' and invites the Government to fix one of its own heritage buildings.
Save our Courthouse was working on several fronts, Cr Benson-Pope said, but giving the public a simple way of expressing their views was an important part of the group's role.
The group would send the completed cards to ministers specified by the public.
More than 200 cards were signed by members of the public in George St in about two hours.
Mrs Stevens said a wide range of people had signed cards.
Cr Benson-Pope said the group was ''very appreciative of the wonderful support'' the community was giving the courthouse, and members were aware people were not happy with Justice Minister Amy Adams' refusal to commit to returning court services to the building, or her refusal to release a draft business plan explaining why the Ministry of Justice believed work needed to strengthen the building would top $15 million.
''I think people are getting quite tired of it. I mean, it is a no-brainer - $6.5 million has been spent on fitting out [the city's temporary court] that's not fit for purpose.''
It was time the Government ''fronted up'' to its responsibilities ''the way Dunedin has in terms of protecting their heritage'', he said.
