State of emergency continues in South Taranaki

11.45am

The flood-related state of emergency in the Manawatu/Wanganui area was lifted last night.

However, a state of emergency remains in place in South Taranaki until March 1 as repair crews continue the task of cleaning up after last week's devastating floods.

South Taranaki District Council says it has extended the state of emergency in its region to "give us a bit of breathing space".

Floods and associated high winds have caused damage estimated at more than $100 million.

The Government yesterday announced advances of $850,000 for local councils -- the first time it Government has paid up front for emergency relief rather than reimbursing councils afterwards.

More than a week after the initial storms, up to 1000 people remain homeless, others are still without power and telephones, and several roads remain closed.

"With a state of civil defence emergency there are certain powers you have, and that just enables us to get things done that need to be done," South Taranaki council spokesman Gerard Langford told NZPA.

Finding accommodation for flood evacuees and establishing and meeting the needs of the rural community were the two main priorities in the region.

He said a mountain of aid for flood victims had been delivered to the township of Waverly yesterday.

"The response has been overwhelming...the Waverly Town Hall got filled up, they then went to the Baptist Hall and started filling that with furniture. They then had to go to the old Waverly Post Office and start filling that with stuff. It's been an amazing response."

Chris Lester, chairman of Horizons Regional Council -- covering Manawatu, Wanganui and Horowhenua -- told NZPA there had been a lot of soul-searching about whether to lift the state of emergency or not.

"The reality, I think, is that a further declaration was not going to provide us with any value. We've still got some concerns and Horowhenua District have some concerns in Moutoa, but by and large we believe we manage without the declaration.

"We're wanting to move into the recovery phase now."

The situation in the distract was as bad as it was going to get barring any further major downpours of rain, Mr Lester said. Recovery work had been under way for some time, but emergency response teams had been on standby in case of floodwaters rising again.

"I think we're really past that stage now and can concentrate 100 per cent on recovery."

Road access was still a major issue, but floodwaters were receding and repair teams were gaining access to more and more areas, Mr Lester said.

Civil Defence Minister George Hawkins yesterday announced an initial relief package for flood-stricken regions. Rangitikei District Council was to receive $200,000, Manawatu District Council would receive $150,000, Horizons $100,000, Wanganui and Horowhenua would each receive $75,000 each, while South Taranaki would receive $50,000.

Mr Lester said the announcement was good news.

"We are still, of course, very interested in the Government package in terms of direct assistance to farmers and people badly affected by the floods.

"We are starting to get a bit of a grip on the type of activity that's going to be required, and I think from a regional council perspective issues surrounding land management and stabilisation of land which has slipped, re-establishing pastures and land access and fencing are very very apparent."

Rangitikei District Council chief executive Leigh Halstead said the funding announcement was welcomed by everyone affected by the flooding.

"This is on top of the Government's offer of enhanced Taskforce Green assistance for hard-hit farmers, and follows on from the hard work done on flood relief duties in the past week by army and air force staff," Mr Halstead said in a statement.

"This genuine commitment reflects the truly heartfelt responses and offers of help that we've received from people around the country."

Future Crown aid to the Rangitikei should concentrate on resowing and fertilising of farms, enhanced contributions to recovery funding, direct financial aid to farmers and businesses which would struggle to make ends meet for the next year, and road repairs

Latest figures show 150 houses remain uninhabitable in Rangitikei, 140 in Manawatu, 20 in Horowhenua and eight in Wanganui.

More than $7 million in claims for damage to houses and land have been received so far by the Earthquake Commission (EQC).

EQC manager David Middleton said the agency expected many more claims as people worked their way through the initial impact and focused on residual damage.

"People have up to three months from the time of damage to lodge a claim and should attend to more immediate concerns first," he said in a statement.

Lines company PowerCo and phone company Telecom were still trying to restore services to outlying customers.


Hutt City Mayor John Terris told National Radio today the Government had overlooked weather damage in his area.

He said high winds and flooding had caused an estimated $25-30 million damage in the Wellington suburbs of Lower Hutt, Wainuiomata and Eastbourne, and 36 families were still unable to return home.

"I do think while everybody is very concerned about what's happening in rural areas and people have had their livelihoods wiped out, the fact of the matter is that there's been major property damage here, there's been major emotional and psychological trauma, people are still yet to return to their homes, and I don't feel offering money to the rural councils does anything at all for us.

"I do think we've been overlooked here."

While floodwaters had receded, the damage they had left was still apparent, Mr Terris said.

"I guess it's more localised, but it's less telegenic as well. I think flooded farms and isolated stock make a better looking story. If you visit houses in Riverside Dr in Lower Hutt you'll see major property damage inside, but I don't think it's particularly good to look at."

Mr Terris said Local Government Minister Chris Carter had contacted him and asked what help Hutt City needed.

"We've detailed the concerns we've got and asked for his assistance and his agency. We hope that will work."

The Government has already paid $20,000 to Hutt City's mayoral relief fund.


- NZPA