Canterbury earthquake: Fed Farmers update

MEMBER ADVISORY

6 September 2010

Canterbury earthquake (Federated Farmers Monday evening update)

Updates coming in as to the scale of damage to farm infrastructure

0800 FARMING (0800 327 646):
The 0800 number is now on automated messaging until 0830 am tomorrow morning. If the matter is life threatening, please dial 111. If farmers need advice, please call one of the Federated Farmers personnel.

Damage to farm infrastructure:
Physical inspection by Federated Farmers elected members and Field Officers is revealing substantial damage to shelter belts and to fences. There is also a major issue with pastures with movement of between one and three metres on some properties and cracks of up to a metre wide and several metres deep. Federated Farmers asks farmers to call in details of this damage to 0800 327 646 tomorrow morning.

Fencing water buffalo:
We have received a request, via Field Officer Vicky O'Connor, to assist a lifestyle block owner with the urgent fencing of some water buffalo. This will be a kind gesture to a non-member and if you can spare time to help, please call Vicky.

Do you have a spare tarpaulin?:
We wish to ascertain the availability of tarpaulins given a change in the weather. If you do have some to spare, can you please pass this onto 0800 327 646 tomorrow morning.

Rural Support Trust engaged:
There is a meeting tomorrow with MAF, Federated Farmers and the Rural Support Trust North Canterbury's Doug Archbold.

Reporting damage to the EQC:
If you do have damage, please make contact with the EQC on 0800 326 243 and take photographs of any damaged property.

Industry group updates

Grains update:
As of this evening, 49 silos have now failed and farmers are urged not to attempt repairs without calling in assistance. A fully laden silo can weigh around 120 tonne and Federated Farmers is able to assist farmers in need.

Dairy update:
We are now getting a picture of damage and there is at least one property with extreme pasture and platform damage. There is also some storm related damage. Farmers genuinely appreciate the efforts of Fonterra.

Meat & Fibre:

Initial feedback from meat and fibre farmers indicates that damage is affecting bore water quality. If your pasture is damaged, please call 0800 327 646 from 0830 am tomorrow morning.

Bees update:

Initial reports are that hives have seemingly come through the earthquake well. Any beekeeper with damaged hives should contact 0800 327 646

Important notices

Short term Weather outlook:

There is some snow possible on the tops of the southern foothills tonight. Winds turning easterly. Tomorrow, there will be patchy rain south of Christchurch, spreading further north in the evening with easterlies. On Wednesday, there will be patchy rain with easterly breezes. On Thursday, there will be patchy rain, clearing overnight and northeast breezes. On Friday, it will be mainly fine, with light winds. For more information please click here.

Electricity update for the Orion network:
The impact of any high winds on overhead lines, together with cable faults, will continue for some weeks or even months due to the fragile nature of some parts of the network. Orion is using back-up assets to supply electricity to some areas so its electricity distribution system is less secure than usual. This means that a fault or accident is more likely to cause customers to lose power.

Due to an aftershock, parts of the airport had a power cut today which has been remedied.

Orion is carefully watching the weather and is working as quickly as it can to complete as much work as possible. Over 400 Orion staff and local contractors are working on the network at the moment.

Orion asks that people demolishing buildings take care to ensure the power supply has been disconnected first as there is a risk of death. Orion aims to have power on to all customers who need it by the end of the week. It will then start a 'recovery' process to replace quick temporary repairs with permanent solutions.

Selwyn District Council road information:
Most of the following roads are passable but extreme care should be exercised and more information can be found here.

* Aylesbury Road, between Wards Road and Grange Road

* Clintons Road, near Telegraph road

* Coaltrack Road at Ridgens Road

* Cordys Road, west of Hororata

* Courtenay Road, between Clinton Road and Stranges Road

* Highfield Road, between Midhurst Road and Grange Road

* Hollands Road, between Ridgens Road and Coaltrack Road

* Kivers Road

* Leeston Road, at Ellesmere Bridge - Selwyn River

* Old Tai Tapu Road, near Osterholts Road

* River Road, Lincoln Tapu road and Geddes Road

* Sandy Knolls Road, at Wards Road

* Telegraph Road , at Clintons Road/Grange Road

* Hartleys Road

* Sleemans Road - near Downs Road

State Highway 77 - There has been significant damage to SH77 between Glenroy and Glentunnel. It is anticipated that this road will not reopen until Friday 10th September. A detour on Downs Road and Hororata Road is in place.

Bridges on Davis Road and Osterholts will be unable to be accessed for quite some time.

Services for farmers

Rural Contractors available:
Federated Farmers has made contact with our affiliated member - Rural Contractors New Zealand. Farmers needing works done on their property, can contact them via their Freephone, which is 0800 424 266.

Do you need volunteer physical labour?:
Before Federated Farmers issues a call for volunteer labour, we wish to ascertain where this is needed (locality) and in what quantity. If you have need for physical labour please call 0800 327 646 in the morning.

Transport companies:
Federated Farmers is impressed by how the transport companies have assisted farmers and they are available to assist in the shifting of grains and stock. If you need transport assistance, please register that need by calling 0800 327 646 tomorrow morning.

Generators:
Federated Farmers now has a number of generators available and this information has been shared with Selwyn District Council. Federated Farmers is also in contact with Orion Energy about what support farmers may be able to offer. If farmers need generators please call 0800 327 646 in the morning.

Off-farm grazing:
Federated Farmers is receiving offers for off-farm grazing. If you need or can offer such assistance, please call 0800 327 646 in the morning.

Stock water:
If you need or can offer assistance with stock water please call 0800 327 646.

The wider community and support

Can you offer accommodation to urban residents?:
We are still awaiting details from the Red Cross/Civil Defence, but Federated Farmers wishes to collate offers of accommodation to accommodate urban residents of Christchurch. If you can offer any assistance, please register that on 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING).

Schools and the University of Canterbury:
A reminder that all schools (state and private) will remain closed tomorrow and the University of Canterbury is closed until Monday, 13 September.

ends