Council to front up to flood-affected streets

Tauranga City Council officials are to hit the streets in the aftermath of the floods and landslips that laid waste to some suburbs last month.

A series of street meetings will begin in a week to deal with ongoing concerns.

Several large public meetings have been held since the May 18 disaster; now at least 28 smaller community meetings are scheduled from June 27.

Personal invitations are going out to flood-affected people and a mail drop in their streets will inform others who have questions and want to attend.

Council spokeswoman Elizabeth Hughes said the recovery team, including the manager, inspectors and geotechnical, health and welfare staff, would front up.

"They are committed to getting out there and listening to people's queries and providing as much information and advice as they can directly to residents of affected areas," she said.

"The chances are we will need to repeat [the meetings] in about 10 weeks when we have more information and answers to give residents."

Mrs Hughes said the Tauranga council had so far spent well over $1.1 million on the recovery process.

More than 440 people are still unable to return to about 200 homes. Those forced from home for more than three weeks have been offered rates relief.

The Earthquake Commission has received 590 claims worth $11 million from Tauranga flood victims.

A charity auction on Saturday raised about $40,000 toward the mayoral relief fund for flood victims. The target had been $25,000.