Click for big version Cordon map - Updated: 8 March 2011

PUBLIC INFORMATION UPDATE – 7:30pm Monday 7th March 2011

State of Emergency

* The National State of Emergency has been extended for a further seven days.
* The extension has been made on the advice of Civil Defence Emergency Management National Controller John Hamilton to the Minister of Civil Defence, John Carter.

Cordon Reduction

* The two information centres for green zone 1 and 2 were open today and there was a steady number of people receiving information.
* These are now closed and will not reopen.
* On Thursday 10 March at 8:00am residents and business owners will be given access into green zone 3 through allocated cordon points.
* Residents and business owners do not have to register prior to accessing green zone cordon 3, however proof of address or proof of business ownership must be provided at the cordons.
* On Friday 11 March at 8:00am access to green zone cordon 3 will be open to the public.
* Pay attention to road signs as there have been some changes to traffic flow.
* There will be an Information Centre set up at the old Christchurch Women’s Hospital site on Colombo Street.
* You are able to enter the Information Centre through Colombo Street.
* At this Information Centre people will be able to help you with any questions you might have.
* There will also be locksmiths, builders, and engineers available to help you secure your building or provide advice.
* People returning to a building should take particular care with gas and electricity which may have been damaged in the earthquake.
* Please, only travel to the opened green zone 3 if you need to.
* We are currently re-evaluating the buildings in green zone 4.

Green, Yellow and Red placarded buildings within the cordons

* If you have a green, yellow or red placard please read the information on the placard carefully. There may be special conditions applied to the property.
* Entry to red placarded buildings is prohibited.
* There are slightly different processes for owners of residential or commercial buildings.

If you are a residential building owner:

And your building has a red or yellow placard:

1) We advise you to contact Christchurch City Council for advice NOT EQC as reported earlier.

2) They will advise you to engage a Chartered Professional Structural Engineer (www.ipenz.co.nz) or a registered builder. You should not enter your building without them.

3) If your building has a green placard you can enter the building. If you have any concerns leave the building and contact EQC for advice.

If you are a commercial building owner

And your building has a red or yellow placard:

1) Engage a Chartered Professional Structural Engineer. You should not enter your building without them.

2) If your building has a green placard you can enter the building. If you have any concerns leave the building and contact a Chartered Professional Structural Engineer for advice (www.ipenz.co.nz).

Community Briefings

* Community Briefings began yesterday (Sunday 6 March).
* 600 people attended the briefing at McCormacks Bay at 12.30pm.
* Briefings were also held at Sumner School and Lyttelton.
* Speakers included representatives from National Civil Defence Controller, Police, Fire Service, Medical Officer of Health, Welfare, Ministry of Education, Orion and in the hill suburbs, geotechnical advisers.
* Further briefings will be held on Wednesday. Detailed information is included at the end of this advisory.
* People are advised to dress appropriately for weather conditions as they will all be held outside.

Power

* Power will not be restored to 99% of Christchurch properties outside of the CBD by tonight as originally hoped due to a cable fault.
* 50% of the wider CBD now has power.
* The power network around Christchurch is fragile and breakages may occur.
* These are being fixed as quickly as possible.
* Using as little power as possible is crucial.

Chemical toilets

* Between 3000 – 3500 chemical toilets have been delivered to households.
* More chemical toilets are on the way and will be delivered to residents as they arrive. A total of 30,000 have been ordered.
* Locations of the disposal tanks have so far been positioned in areas where chemical toilets have been distributed.
* There are currently 44 disposal tanks positioned in the community.
* City Care will be emptying these on a regular basis. See www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz .
* For instructions on how to use and empty your chemical toilets go to www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz

Bob Parker provides instructions on how to use a chemical toilet: http://www.3news.co.nz/Toilet-training-with-Bob-Parker/tabid/423/articleID/201160/Default.aspx
- or -

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/video-mayoral-lesson-in-chemical-toilets-5-40-4047624

* Residents are also being asked not to empty chemical toilets into portaloos as this will cause the portaloos to fill much faster than contractors can empty them, resulting in overflowing.

Port-a-loos

* A reassessment is underway of the location of port-a-loos to take account of repairs to the sewerage system and match port-a-loos with need.
* From tomorrow port-a-loos that were previously in Hoon Hay Rd and other locations are being moved to eastern suburbs.
* By the middle of March there will be 2,500 port-a-loos in service throughout the city.

Water

* Town Supply water must still be boiled before using even if it has been chlorinated.

Sewerage

* An estimated 50 percentage of households can use toilets.
* If you have running water you can flush the toilet sparingly.
Urban Search and Rescue Teams / Fire Service

* 150 teams are still deployed, evenly balanced between national and international members.
* The Fire Service will help fit tarpaulins on roofs to help make homes water tight.

Schools

Please continue to check http://www.minedu.govt.nz/for the most up-to-date information.

Schedule of Community Briefings
Wednesday 9 March 2011
9.30 am Richmond Park – Poulton Avenue.
Residents of Dallington, Avonside & Richmond

12 Noon Parklands Reserve
Residents of Burwood, Parklands, Waimairi Beach.

2 pm Rawhiti Domain – access off Keyes Road.
Residents of North New Brighton, New Brighton, Bexley

4 pm South New Brighton Park – Jellicoe Street.
Residents of South Brighton, Southshore

ENDS

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