$3.2m clean-up bill for Whakatane floods

Whakatane District Council has an estimated $3.2 million clean-up bill following last week's flood that left more than 110 houses uninhabitable.

Council spokesman Barney Dzowa said the cost would cover repairs to the town's infrastructure, including waste water and storm water systems, community facilities, parks, and roads.

Whakatane was hit with torrential rain 11 days ago, flooding more than 160 homes and businesses.

Mr Dzowa said more than 110 homes were still vacant. People were living with friends or family, others had been accommodated by their insurance companies, and some had received help from Housing New Zealand.

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has launched a programme to assist insured homeowners with the clean-up, but those with no insurance are on their own.

Insured homeowners affected by the June 1 flood can lodge claims with the EQC to get assistance with cleaning silt from in and around their properties.

EQC had received more than 100 claims from the Whakatane district.

Some businesses are still closed as a result of flood damage.

Amber Court Motel in Whakatane is expected to be closed for the month. Its co-owner, Ruth Couch, said earlier their driveway had about six inches of thick, black mud on it last week and the beds had been floating in the rooms.

- NZPA