Community Update 24 September 2011

Please find below an  assortment of items which have been sent to MPCC this week!

Retaining Wall Article
Redcliffs School Fan Zone
Parenting Week Info
NZ Red Cross grant
Communicating through Crisis
Key Social Issues for the Rebuild
CERA update
Free Vegetables option
Cooperative Section Development

Retaining Walls

A local resident who has had success with insurance payouts on his retaining walls disagreed with the information provided via the Lyttelton item on retaining walls in our last email. In particular he advises: “Within the stated horizontal distances, retaining walls are covered, even if they DO NOT support or protect the dwelling”. Our local maintains the information in this Janine Starks article offers the best advice: http://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/54207/janine-starks-walks-great-wall-eqc-rules-look-rules-find-out-what-and-isnt-co#comment-628289

Redcliffs School Supports Community Fanzone

Relocated to Ferrymead Park Sports Fields come along on Sunday 2nd of October from 12-5.30pm to enjoy the carnival attractions, market and food stalls. Bring a rug to sit on and watch the rugby live on a big screen, food available till late.  Let’s support our Mighty All Blacks!

Email: RedcliffsSchoolFair@gmail.comfor more details.

Parenting Week

Please find Parenting Week information on the following links http://tiny.cc/xqkht and http://tiny.cc/w7a1f distributed on behalf of Ginny Larsen – New Projects Worker, Neighbourhood Trust. Parenting Week is coming from 2-9 October and she would like as many parents as possible to have the opportunity of being part of this week, filled with some of the best speakers in New Zealand.

Any queries please contact Ginny Larsen on (03) 355 6522 or 027-746-5168.

New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission | Alternative to City Sewerage Grant

This grant has been extended until October 3rd.

http://www.redcrosseqgrants.org.nz//Overview/Information/Alternative-to-City-Sewerage-Grant

Communicating through Crisis

The University of Canterbury is conducting a survey COMMUNICATING THROUGH CRISIS: CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE STUDY.

Anyone who has resided in the Canterbury region at any time during the period of September 2010 to September 2011, and is aged over 18, is invited to participate in this research project by completing the following survey. The aim of this project is to learn about the usefulness and availability of different types of communication by asking about the media usage and communication methods of Cantabrians over the last year. This survey should take between 15 and 25 minutes, and all data collected will remain anonymous.

You can find out more about the survey, and take part, by going here.

As we were all in an area where the power, phone, water, or sewerage went off and communication became a critical issue, this is a good study to take part in. At the very end there is an bit of an opportunity for comments. I spent around 20 minutes doing the survey and found it time well spent.

Key Social Issues for the Rebuild of Christchurch

Christchurch Methodist Mission is producing a series of discussion papers on some key social issues that could be addressed in the rebuild of Christchurch. These include Child Poverty, Gambling, Housing Affordability, Alcohol Misuse, Employment, Food scarcity, Age friendly cities, Social inequalities etc. Papers are available http://www.mmsi.org.nz/our-views.html.

Weekly update from Roger Sutton, Chief Executive, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority

Monday 19 September 2011

I’m very aware that, while many people now have certainty about the status of their land, for others still in the orange and white zones it has been a frustrating time while they wait to hear the final zoning decisions. Unfortunately, the complex geotechnical work needed to make robust decisions about the land takes time. The decisions we make now are decisions that will last for years and we have to make sure we get this right. I really want to thank people who are still waiting to hear and have been incredibly patient and understanding.  We appreciate how tough it is. I’ve written to residents in Spencerville, Brooklands, Southshore and west Kaiapoi who’d been expecting news this month and told them we will be back in touch next month with an updated timeframe.

Remember, if you need assistance or have any queries call us on 0800 RING CERA (0800 746 423) or email us on landinfo@cera.govt.nz for land enquires or info@cera.govt.nz for general enquiries. Our Avondale Earthquake Assistance Centre is at the Avondale Golf Club, 141 Breezes Road, Avondale which is open weekdays from 10.00am to 6.30pm.

The website www.landcheck.org.nz has recorded more than ten million hits since 23 June. People have been able to check the zoning of their properties on the site and we knew that demand would very high. We are grateful to the team at Trademe who successfully set up the site and helped ensure we could meet that demand. CERA is now taking back the website from Trademe as planned and will continue to update it.

Many people will be aware we’re currently consulting on the draft Recovery Strategy. People should have received a strategy summary and comment form in their letter box by now and it’s also on the CERA website. The recovery is about what our community wants for the future and it’s really important to be part of that.  Consultation ends 30 October so make sure you have your say.

The Rugby World Cup has been dominating the media and lifting the spirits of many who’ve had the chance to enjoy some of the games. There was a real sense of loss when we found out we were unable to host games here in Christchurch. But we’ve seen teams and supporters from all around the world visit us and show their support.  It‘s great to see the spirit of the Cantabrians still strong and that we’re still very much in the minds and hearts of people from elsewhere around the country and the world.

It’s also great to see the restart project in Cashel Mall taking shape with the container shops for opening at the end of October ahead of Show week. A huge amount of work is going into this and it will help bring people back into the heart of the city, something CERA is very keen to see as soon as possible.

Roger Sutton
Chief Executive
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority

Free Vegetables Coming This Summer

After discussions with our CDHB contracts manager we are happy to notify the community that our Community Garden Plots are NOW AVAILABLE to all community members. With the price of vegetable being at an all-time high this is an opportunity for communities and whanau of all ethnicity and backgrounds to grow fresh vegetables for the table. Wai-ora Trust has, for the past 3 years opened up its property to whanau and community groups to grow fresh vegetables as part of our Maori Community Action Plan. However as part of our Earthquake recovery strategy we are opening up this service to everyone.

• We provide everything you need to succeed including:
• The land
• The seeds and plant
• Tools
• Knowledge and support
• Practical help

All you need to do is:

• Get a groupof 6 dedicated friends or whanau members together
• Have everyone come to work in the garden for at least 1 hour per week!

While the vegetables are free we do ask for a small one off koha to cover the cost of a sign for your plot as well as some tea and coffee for your group to enjoy.
This has been a hugely beneficial service over the past 3 years with hundreds of individuals harvesting corn, cabbage, potatoes, lettuces, beetroot, tomatoes and numerous other veggies to take home to their Community groups and whanau. It has helped young mothers reduce their shopping bill, community groups feed their clients and whanau teach their children about the importance of gardening and healthy eating. Just as importantly it has helped reduce the financial stress on families and helped them put vegetables on the table.

If you are interested and would like a registration form, or further information please contact Ricky Ehau via e-mail on ricky@waioratrust.org.nz. Gardens start in a few weeks so don’t hesitate as plots are limited.

Hope you find the above information helpful. You are more than welcome to distribute it to your family and friends if you wish to do so. We look forward to seeing you all at our next area meeting on the 19th September. Will send out a reminder with meeting details closer to time. Until then, take care and keep safe.

Henry Jaiswal 
Area Co-ordinator
Hagley/Ferrymead Ward
Civil Defence Emergency Management

Telephone: (03) 337-9297 | Mob 021-188-6060
Email: henryandanne@kol.co.nz

CooperativeSection Development

I’m a Christchurch economist concerned about the lack of affordable sections, and I’d like to do something about it.  I’m trying to create a cooperative to develop sections for those who want one – whether red zoned or just someone who has a need for a section in Christchurch. I’m not knocking developers, nor asking for a subsidy. Just offering an alternative.
How can we keep the price down without market distortions or subsidies?
Profit margins are high because risks are high for developers. The profit margin is generally around a third of the final section cost. However, developers who also want to own the section they develop do not face the major risk of finding a buyer.  If we can get together a group of people who want to develop a section for their own use (whether to build their own house or to build a rental property or even a speculative building), then I think we can create sections for around $130,000

Why did I send this to you?
Beause I think your readers or listeners may be interested in this and your organisation can either make those people aware of this option or at least be aware yourself that this initiative exists. I have one development proposition under consideration, but it needs 150 or more participants and we have to get the word out there to make it work.

Still interested?
Look at www.cooperativesections.co.nz for more details, and why I think CERA is not the best agent for section development. Or you can ring me on 3296 117 or  0275 397 534.

If you are still with me, thanks for reading this,
Kind regards,
Geoff Butcher

Community Update 11 September 2011

The following items are included in this update:

Community Meeting – this Tuesday
Pleasant News – August editionNotes from Cera meeting held at Sumner School Hall 7 Sept
Soleares Ave non- update
Three-laning of Main Road Minutes
Retaining Wall advice
Hot Chocolate on the hill

Community Meeting this Tuesday

Don’t forget to come to the urban planning meeting for Mt Pleasant Residents on Tuesday 13 June, 7.30pm at Redcliffs Bowling Club, 11James Street, Redcliffs. Local Mt Pleasant architects will take us through the good, the bad and what could be improved aspects of our suburb. A community discussion will follow on what we would like for our neighbourhood post-quake.The second half of the meeting will be devoted to how a newly rebuilt community centre could best serve the needs of residents. Remember Mt Pleasant is quite unique in that the community centre belongs to us and not CCC so it is us that must determine the shape of the centre rebuild. For more information contact Linda 384-2160.

Mt Pleasant News – August edition

If you did not receive a hard copy in your letter box please find a link to it on the web here http://tiny.cc/32ckh

Notes from Cera meeting held at Sumner School Hall 7 Sept

The above can be found here http://tiny.cc/dtc7p.

Soleares Ave non- update 6 September2011

Soleares Avenue will be closed for some time because this road would require major repairs. At this stage the designs have not yet been conceptualised, thus we cannot advise what the time frame will be when works will commence.

Hannah Mirabueno
Port Hills Geotech Team

Three laning of Main Road

The minutes of a recent meeting held between CCC andaffected Community groups regarding changes to the proposed three-laning project can be found here http://tiny.cc/6jyd6.

Community Energy Action

This year thousands of Christchurch households have been struggling with an awful combination of earthquake-damaged, leaky homes and two bitterly cold snow events. Many will be facing at least a couple of months struggling with high energy bills. Community Energy Action’s Home Energy Advisors can provide free and independent advice on short, medium and long term issues including; 1.high energy bills; 2.how to upgrade the energy efficiency of a home as earthquake damage is repaired; 3.how to find an energy efficient home if a household has to shift. 4.key home energy efficiency strategies for building a new home.

Further details here

Retaining Wall advice

The following advice has come via Lyttelton from Community Law we are told. Please check with Community Law if you have any question regarding this topic.

Who Owns the Retaining Wall
In a nutshell, who owns a retaining wall depends on location, and land ownership either side of the retaining wall. A retaining wall may be owned by either one party, or several parties depending on the land title and location. There are always exceptions to the rule, but as a basic guide:

• If a retaining wall is entirely within the legal boundary of your property, then you are fully responsible for the construction, repairs or maintenance of that retaining wall.
• If a retaining wall is sited on the legal boundary, the retaining wall is considered a “fence” under the Fencing Act 1978. Under the Fencing Act, owners who share the boundary are equally liable to contribute in equal proportions to the construction, repairs or maintenance of the retaining wall.

Main exception to this guide: Where a retaining wall is sited on the legal boundary, and the boundary is shared with a road, footpath, national park, railway, marginal strip, esplanade reserve or esplanade strip – the Fencing Act 1978 does not apply. Therefore, the residential property owner is liable for the full cost of construction, repairs and maintenance of the retaining wall. Refer: Fencing Act 1978, Section 3 – Application of Act.

With basic ownership established, the question transfers into, what will be covered by the Earthquake Commission. This plain english text has recently been released by the Earthquake Commission, and follows the Earthquake Commission Act 1993, Section 19 – Residential Land:

Land Claim – What’s covered
If your dwelling is insured, EQC cover also insures a certain defined area of your residential land. EQC will pay the amount of damage to your insured land (usually the repair cost if the land is repairable) or the value of your insured land at the time of the earthquake or natural disaster, whichever is less. This cover is limited and is restricted to land within your land holding which comprises:

• The land under your dwelling
• The land within 8 metres of your dwelling
• The land of the main accessway up to 60 metres from your dwelling, but not the surface

The maximum amount for which your residential land is insured under the Act is the value, at the site of the damage, of the smallest of these three areas:

• The minimum area allowable under your district plan for land used (in other words, the minimum sized section allowed in your district)
• 4000 square metres
• The area of land that is actually lost or damaged

EQC also covers some retaining walls, and bridges and culverts within affected properties, but for less than the replacement value. EQC does not cover the land if your dwelling is not insured against fire, and it does not cover your residential land if the insurance policy for your dwelling has lapsed or been cancelled at the time of the natural disaster. Nor does it cover consequential losses which might occur after an earthquake or natural disaster, such as theft,vandalism, loss of profits or business interruption.

EQC cover of residential land also excludes some items, such as:

• Roads, streets, drives or paths
• Retaining walls more than 60 metres from your dwelling or insured building, and retaining walls not necessary for the support or protection of your dwelling or insured building(s)
• Retaining walls, bridges or culverts more than 8 metres from your home or, if they are on the main driveway, more than 60 metres from your home

Have you been to Aji’s yet?

Take the kids for a treat of hot chocolate. What a hidden treasure trove lies down the stairs at Aji – 189 Mt PleasantRd. The Deli offers Mediterranean staples for cooking; a vast array of European chocolate; and spices and chilis from around the world. Take advantage of trained chef Imogen’s culinary expertise — handy to know you can pick up pasta, olives and smoked paprika without leaving the hill! Just check the website for opening hours though:www.aji.co.nz.