TDC Recovery Team Newsletter Issue 1
The aim of this weekly newsletter is to keep you informed of what is happening to get the affected parts of Tasman District back to where they should be – the best place to live in New Zealand!
The combined Nelson/Tasman Recovery Team (NiTRO) has disbanded and Tasman District Council now has a team dedicated to concentrating on its own issues. A Recovery Action Plan has been produced by NiTRO and this is being used as a high level guidance document for us to work from. This Recovery Action Plan has the priority to “restore as quickly as possible the quality of life of those affected, so that they are able to continue functioning as part of the wider community. In the medium to long term it is to seek the regeneration of the community by addressing the social, economic, natural and built environment effects of the emergency”. Our job is to bring this about as soon as possible!
The first task of the team is to finalise the scope and sequencing of projects and identify the resourcing needs, this includes identifying the indicative costs of each project. This work is well advanced.
Key to the recovery will be the interaction between the Council and residents affected by the disaster and subsequent work. The provision of consistent information will be vital as many people are still coming to grips with the ramifications of the event.
Throughout the event and since, a great deal of valuable information has been collected. It is important the information is used effectively in the recovery phase and accurate records are maintained for the future, for instance in LIMs and for property enquiries.
The team will also liaise with EQC, Nelson City Council, NZTA, and other agencies as required expediting recovery efforts, in particular resolving the status of section 124 notices in conjunction with the Building Control team.
In addition to the weekly update, information packs are being developed which will provide people with the answers to specific issues and/or the location of further information.
We are holding a meeting on Thursday 23 February 2012 at the Pohara Hall starting at 6pm to listen to your concerns and provide you with a further update – everyone is welcome to attend. A representative of EQC will also be in attendance.
Adrian Humphries – team leader
Volunteer Teams
There are already a number of volunteer groups operating in the affected areas and their assistance is greatly appreciated. There is a need however, to ensure the right work is being done in the right place, safely and with the right information. Volunteers are requested to register with Council and we will coordinate the remediation response within specific areas.
Contact: Glenn Thorn 03 543 8400
Waterways and Streams
A large number of streams and waterways have been affected by the December event either through scouring, silting up or changing course. The immediate surrounds of some streams were also affected with vegetation protecting banks being ripped out by the force of the flooded waterways.
If landowners are contemplating remediating a waterway on their property it is in their interest to contact the Council. We may be able to provide information and advice about the specific waterway and its relationship with a wider stormwater system that will need to be taken into account. We will also be able to give advice on the appropriate plants and may be able to provide assistance in purchasing the plants themselves.
Section 124s
There are currently still 19 Section 124 Notices in force in the District; 16 in Golden Bay and 3 in Richmond. These are on properties that are either so damaged that they are uninhabitable or have been identified as needing a clean bill of health following geotechnical inspection. We are working with property owners to remove these Notices as quickly as we can.
Some FAQs
The damage to my property was caused by someone else, can I be compensated?
This is an individual property issue that should be dealt with by your insurance company in the first instance; legal advice may be required on a case by case basis.
Do I need a consent to do work on my property?*
This depends on the work required, contact a Council Consent Planner or email the Recovery Team for advice.
What can I do with debris on my property?
If you want to, you can use it on your property away from streams and flood prone areas provided it doesn’t cause an issue for your neighbours. Alternatively the old Rototai landfill site is open for spoil and wood disposal. Other items such as refuse must be disposed of through normal channels.
I want to change or restore a watercourse on my property, what do I need to do?
You need to obtain a resource consent from Council so that we can identify any wider impacts of the proposed change and ensure no-one else will be affected by your modifications. Please contact a Council Consent Planner or email the Recovery Team for advice.
Mayoral Fund
The Mayoral fund has approximately $30,000 in it. The mayors of Tasman and Nelson are meeting shortly to identify the best method of distribution to achieve the greatest good.
Contact Details
Email: eoc.recovery.2011@tasman.govt.nz
Post: Tasman District Recovery Team
Phone: 03 543 7254 189 Queen Street, Private Bag 4, Richmond 7050
Next newsletter will be 21 February 2012
The GB Weekly is printing this first newsletter so that the community is fully aware of its existence.
The weekly newsletters will appear on http://www.tasman.govt.nz (do a search for “recovery team”).
The newsletter can also be emailed. To go onto the email list, email eoc.recovery.2011@tasman.govt.nz
