He made that priority clear to the Minister of Courts, Chester Borrows, when the minister visited Oamaru and saw the courthouse on Friday.
Mr Borrows outlined what was happening with the building, opened in 1883, including "other options" for court hearings being investigated.
That has led to fears the courthouse, which was closed on November 30 because it was judged to be an earthquake risk, might not be strengthened and used again for court staff and hearings.
Mr Borrows expected a report in September on the work required and cost. In the meantime, court staff are based in the Work and Income building in Coquet St and court hearings are held in the Oamaru Opera House Inkbox.
However, Oamaru lawyers say the Inkbox is not practical long term.
"We are a heritage town and that building is a strong part of our heritage and we do not want to lose it as a functional courthouse," Mr Familton told the Waitaki District Council yesterday in a report on his meeting with Mr Borrows.
The "first option" was retaining the courthouse for court, and Mr Familton believed the whole community would support that.
He had made it clear to Mr Borrows the "huge importance" of the building.
Mr Familton accepted a suggestion that a committee comprising the council, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, law firms and other representatives be brought back together to ensure the community's views on retaining the courthouse were put to Mr Borrows.
That committee was first formed after the courthouse was closed to look at alternative premises for court hearings in Oamaru.
Cr Sally Hope said the question of whether the court would continue to operate in the building had been a concern since it was closed in November and she was worried by Mr Borrows' comment, before the cost of strengthening had even been established, that alternatives sites were being looked at.
On Friday, Mr Borrows said alternative locations were being scouted in Oamaru for court hearings after lawyers indicated the Inkbox was not suitable.
Despite that, a final decision on whether the courthouse would be earthquake strengthened had not been made.
Even if the building was not upgraded, it would not necessarily sound the death knell for court hearings in Oamaru, he said.
