February 22 Earthquake
For those of you who are new to my mailing list, I have been preparing Earthquake Information Updates since 4th September last year to help constituents understand the impact of the earthquake and the role of the Earthquake Commission (EQC), the insurers and their respective contractors. I have unravelled the mysteries of the range of rules that apply to the EQC payments and highlighted the reality of a legislative framework that is almost two decades old. I have also held information meetings for affected communities and will get them up and running again soon. My aim has been to learn about what are often quite complex issues and translate them into plain language to help people understand what is happening. I was putting the final touches on my 12th Earthquake Information Update when the Feb 22 earthquake struck. I didn’t hear about the devastation in the central city until I was walking home from New Brighton to Bexley (wading through goodness knows what). At a later time I will comment on those who have gone beyond the call of duty in their service to our communities at this time of need. As there are many people who have been seriously affected for the first time, I will be sending them a summary of where we got to before Feb 22. I have also attached the update I was just completing when the earthquake struck. It remains relevant for all the flood management areas, but in terms of immediate needs this is especially so for Brooklands and Spencerville where they were not so hard hit this time and should be able to proceed with their rebuild/repair programme; as is happening in Kaiapoi, which is under the Waimakariri District Council.
What has the February 22 Quake Changed?
The Land: The land damage has been more extensive this time – it has hammered most of the hardest hit suburbs again (Avondale, Bexley, Burwood/Horseshoe Lake, Dallington) and hit parts of other suburbs harder than before (Aranui & Parklands). It is vital that information about the extent of the land damage is shared with the affected communities as soon as it is available. There is a lot of speculation and rumour as a result of ill-considered comment about whether certain areas can or cannot be rebuilt. We will not know the answer to that question until the land reports are updated and options for remediation (land repair) are re-evaluated.
Many constituents have asked why this cannot happen quickly due to all the work that had already been done after the Sept 4 quake. As you can appreciate there has been much more damage this time so not only does the existing affected land need to be assessed again, there are new areas of land damage to assess.
In addition we need to know what the new land levels are, because that is relevant to managing other risks – especially flood risk. You only need to walk down to the Bexley Wetlands or Horseshoe Lake Reserve to see that the land levels have dropped. It is important to know what the new levels are, because that will impact on what the options are for remediating the land for rebuilding. Land levels are measured from the air using technology called LiDAR which stands for Light Detection & Ranging. Obviously the silt has to be removed first because otherwise there would be a risk that the measurements are not accurate.
I will continue to advocate for our right to full transparency so that we know the future of our suburbs as soon as soon as that information is available. Please do not listen to the rumours – check with me first. I am following up issues with the relevant authorities on a daily basis.
Community Meetings
I have been asked when I will be holding community meetings again. As you know Civil Defence/Council are holding meetings on social support (Recovery Assistance Centres), public health and infrastructure, (power, sewerage, water, roads and things like port-a-loo/chemical toilet allocation). Rather than adding another set of speakers to meetings that are already crammed with information, I have decided to maintain my focus on the land, including mitigation of other hazard risks (especially flooding); the proposals for perimeter treatment around the waterways (Stage 2 Report); the roles of the EQC, the insurers and their respective contractors; and last but not least the need for communities to be actively engaged in the recovery process.
Last week Cr Chrissie Williams & I invited community leaders, including resident association representatives, and a range of community organisations, churches and agencies to a meeting in order to start the recovery process in the eastern suburbs. I will provide a specific update on recovery once the new city-wide governance arrangements for recovery have been resolved. There was a major flaw post the Sept 4 quake in that no-one was leading the recovery and there was no recovery plan. This time we must get it right with the community at the heart of the planning process. I will be working in partnership with councillors Chrissie Williams & Glenn Livingstone, as well as your community board, to ensure this happens.
The Buildings: Earthquake Commission (EQC) 0800 DAMAGE www.eqc.govt.nz
The Feb 22 quake is a separate event, which means if you have suffered more damage you must lodge another claim.
Rapid Assessment Project: EQC has commenced a rapid assessment of Christchurch households. These 15-30 minute assessments are placing dwellings into damage categories with the timeframe for when EQC will be coming back for a full assessment. EQC appears to have learned the lesson of the first earthquake, which is that people need timeframes.
Houses with severe structural damage will be revisited for a full assessment within four months. Those needing repairs of more than $100,000 + GST will then be passed on to the homeowner’s insurance company for follow-up.
Houses with minor structural damage will be revisited for a full assessment within four to six months.
Houses with no structural damage will be revisited for a full assessment within six to nine months.
Think of the EQC Rapid Assessment as a triage approach which establishes the level of urgency with which your property needs to be seen – ‘the worst are first’. In a hospital setting a ‘triage’ nurse quickly assesses patients as they come in to ensure that urgent cases are dealt with immediately and less urgent cases can wait without compromising safety.
The Rapid Assessment teams are also identifying the need for emergency repairs – to keep the house secure, sanitary and weather-proof. You can self refer for this service as well - call 0800 DAMAGE to get your EQC Number and then call your local Fletchers hub office to get those repairs done – for Burwood/ Pegasus the number is 3419979.
The main issue that constituents have raised relates to a rapid assessment not picking up the severe structural damage that can only be seen inside the house. I was glad I was home when my house was visited, because my house looks good from the outside, but has obviously sunk when viewed from the inside. If structural damage has been missed please call 0800 DAMAGE and inform the call centre. If you do not get a satisfactory response please let my office know either by email or phone.
lianne.dalziel.mp@parliament.govt.nz
Ph 382 0288
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