Media Statement

Bayley Road Water and Gas Leak

Associate Energy Minister Paul Swain says the Crown is stepping in to help a New Plymouth family forced out of their home by a flow of water and gas from a 1920s bore.

"Our initial legal advice says the Crown is not liable for remedying the water and gas leak under the Bayly Road House," Paul Swain said.

"Having said that the situation that this family has found itself in is unacceptable," he said.

"Through no fault of their own they have been forced from their home because of the water and gas leak and they have no idea if or when they will be able to return.

"While our initial legal advice says the Crown is not liable, it is essential that on humanitarian grounds something is done in the short term to make sure this family has somewhere to live.

"With that in mind, and on a without prejudice basis, the government has said that it will pay the removal and rental accommodation costs for the family.

"The most important thing is to get them somewhere safe to live in the short term, with their own possessions around them.

"In the long term there are many other matters to work out that will require input from different agencies at local and central government level, the property insurers, and the land owners – the Grey Institute Trust," Paul Swain said.

ENDS

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