It Will Be Many Months Before Kaiapoi Recovers

OVERNIGHT CURFEW REMAINS WHILE MASSIVE CLEAN-UP CONTINUES - WILL BE MONTHS BEFORE KAIAPOI AND SURROUNDS FULLY RECOVER

An overnight curfew will remain in place in earthquake impacted areas of the Waimakariri District until at least Monday as the massive clean-up continues through the weekend.

Council staff, with support from neighbouring councils are continuing the assessment of building and roading integrity in the river town of Kaiapoi and communities of Pines Beach and Kairaki, and effecting immediate repairs to damaged infrastructure.

Contractors and volunteers are clearing tonnes of silt and debris from properties and streets.

The town centre opened today for the first time since the quake.

Civil Defence Controller, Bruce Thompson, says while that has helped lift community spirits there is still a long way to go before damaged buildings and infrastructure is reinstated completely.

“The reality is it is going to take months, if not years, for the river town of Kaiapoi and its surrounds to fully recover from Saturday’s earthquake.

“While we are doing everything we can to restore services as quickly as possible, the broken pipes we are currently fixing will ultimately need to be replaced.

“More large scale work will be needed to replace the pipes and mains which mean there will be on-going disruption for these communities for some months, and in some instances years, before our sewer and water systems are completely renewed.”

Almost four hundred homes in Kaiapoi and Pines Beach/Kairaki are now under restricted access or are considered unsafe, for structural or sanitary reasons.

97 residential properties have been red stickered requiring residents to leave. (Note: these properties have NOT been condemned; they are simply uninhabitable at this time. Their status may change as repairs are effected. These owners should be lodging claims with the Earthquake Commission and their own insurance companies.)

The façades on the old MED and Harcourts buildings in the middle of town are broken and the New World supermarket, Mandeville Hotel and Blackwells Department Store have been earmarked for probable demolition.

There are major problems with the sewerage scheme in the township which will necessitate major repairs once the immediate clean-up is complete. Water has largely been restored, though residents must still BOIL it before drinking, brushing teeth or cooking food.

There has also been a significant impact on homes and infrastructure in Pines Beach and Kairaki.

Civil Defence Controller, Bruce Thompson, says the sewer is badly damaged there and a number of homes have been red stickered, several have sunk over a metre as the ground has liquefied.

Flyers are being hand delivered to households in the affected areas each morning to keep them updated on the status of their community and provide information on help available.

Emergency Management Officer, Brennan Wiremu, says the key focus remains on returning services as quickly as possible and ensuring the welfare of the people of the district.

“There has been, and continues to be a massive effort by our hazards team assessing building safety and by our welfare teams looking after people who are feeling vulnerable or have had to temporarily leave their homes.

“We also have to thank the hundreds of volunteers, from PD workers from the Corrections Department, university students, and the army, to those simply walking in off the streets with a wheelbarrow, who have been helping with the clean-up and caring for our community.”

Assessors are continuing to inspect properties throughout the affected areas and all residences under restrictions are being visited by welfare teams. (NOTE: These are yellow stickered properties which have been damaged but where RESIDENTS are still able to stay safe and warm and have water and sewer options.)

Brennan Wiremu is urging anyone feeling vulnerable or unwell to go a welfare centre where there is food, water, shelter and toilet facilities and people who can provide information of help that is available.

The main centre is at the Kaiapoi Rugby Football clubrooms, with drop in centres at Pines Beach and Tuahiwi Marae.

The state of emergency in Waimakariri has been extended to next Wednesday and a 7pm to 7am curfew will stay in place in Kaiapoi at least until Monday.

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