A taxi bill of more $2000 for police is another example of the absurdities the High St courthouse is inflicting on the justice sector, Dunedin barrister and historic courthouse advocate Anne Stevens says.
Information released under the Official Information Act revealed the $2768.19 taxi bill for Dunedin police prosecution services.
The Otago Daily Times requested all taxi costs to and from court for prosecution services between November 2012 and November 2015.
However, police said analysis showed police prosecution services took no taxis to court buildings in Dunedin between November 2012 and April 2015.
Police provided data until October 31, 2015, which revealed the taxi costs beginning once court services left the Stuart St building.
The historic courthouse in lower Stuart St was closed in mid-May last year and most services moved to High St, more than three times the distance from Dunedin Central police station where prosecution services are based.
Police prosecutors who had previously walked to the courthouse were now having to take taxis to carry their files.
Mrs Stevens said she sympathised with prosecutors, who had large quantities of files to lug to and from court.
"They have to stand and wait for taxis because they have so many files,'' she said.
However, the costs to the justice sector were not only affecting police because other services, such as probation, were based close to the historic courthouse.
"The cost of being out of the courthouse can only grow,'' she said when contacted earlier this week.
"Money is continuing to be spent elsewhere, like taxis and that is relatively minor, but it shows the absurdity of us using another building.
"Probation are in the same boat. They get dropped off but it means a car is used to drop them off. The cars are meant to be to go and see clients.''
Police prosecutors contacted by the ODT did not wish to comment on the matter of needing to use taxis.
Mrs Stevens said she was frustrated the Ministry of Justice had not yet tendered for the work to restore and strengthen the historic courthouse.
In December, it was announced the tendering process was expected to begin in early 2016.
"I just don't understand what the delay would be,'' she said.
"Why isn't it out for tender? There's a commitment that needs followed through.''
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said the ministry could not comment on the matter at present, but a meeting about the historic courthouse was being held in Dunedin on March 1.
