“Spectacle” creates issues for farmers

Even though the effects of last week’s earthquake on rural regions are fascinating, the Rural Recovery Group is asking the public to now let farmers get back to business.

At the meeting today of rural organisations working collectively to co-ordinate a response to the Darfield earthquake, farm advisers and researchers said they had heard of crops being trampled in some areas and farmers feeling like they were “in a fishbowl” as “rubberneckers” stopped to look at damage.

A report prepared by scientists and researchers from Lincoln and Canterbury universities suggests farmers are becoming stressed by being the centre of much attention.

“One family whose house lies on the fault has had the trauma of violent shaking, a badly damaged house and land, and the news that they cannot reoccupy the site. Now, over a week after the event, large numbers of people are still treating their home as a spectacle and inconveniencing them by blocking their driveway,” the report says.

Other farmers had also reported unapproved access to their land, which could create health and safety liabilities, especially as land and trees have been destabilised during the earthquake.

If people are interested in viewing the effects on the landscape, they are able to see footage on TVNZ’s website or TV3’s website.

Rural Recovery Group Co-ordinator Allan Baird says rural representatives are out checking their clients are coping with the aftermath of the quake.

“Some of the damage that’s been done is underground – with water systems, so it’s not possible to see the effects immediately and may take some time to pinpoint. Another issue is cracks in grain silo structures – apart from obvious structural failures, farmers won’t necessarily know the extent of this damage until the silos are empty and that could be six months away,” Mr Baird says.

Farmers or lifestylers who need assistance or advice are able to call the Rural Recovery Group through the Selwyn District Council – 03 347 2800, or visit the RRG page on the Selwyn District Council website.

ENDS

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