>Community Update 21 June 2011
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Mt Pleasant Community Update 21 March 2011
Minutes of Last Week’s Community Meeting
If you scroll to the last item on this newssheet you will find the minutes of the Mt Pleasant Community meeting held last Wednesday evening to discuss earthquake related issues. Evan Smith of CanCern and Greg Young of Mt Pleasant were guest speakers.
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Children stressed? Have a look at https://www.sovereign.co.nz/safeandsound/
Contact Energy offer to provide LPG to quake victims
After the February quake, Contact Energy provided free LPG refills to people who needed them.
Contact Energy wants to provide the same kind of service now in the Eastern suburbs and other badly affected areas. They are working in conjunction with the Baptist church, which is bringing a shipping container of gas heaters to Christchurch in the near future.
If you know of elderly people who need LPG and are in financial need, or others who have immediate home heating needs, who could be helped by this generous service, please contact
Peter Benstead on 04 496 1654 or 021 243 1076 or peter.benstead@contactenergy.co.nz .
EQC/Insurance/land
A local resident has passed on this link which MP residents might find this useful:
From Our Facebook site
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mt-Pleasant-community-Christchurch/118824294860099
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Reid Stiven of EQC to talk on Newstalk tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am to 11am to answer your questions. Contact the station with your questions on Tel 0800 80 801080 or email mikeyardley@newstalkzb.co.nz http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newslist1.asp?show_type=TW |
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Ferrymead Acupuncture Clinic “I’m a Mt Pleasant resident with a Ferrymead business. Ferrymead Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine. It’s in the Ferrymead Medical Centre and we are back to business as usual. Got the engineers ok on Wednesday. We are ACC providers too if you need that. Am on FB under Ferrymead Acupuncture”
Ferrymead Bridge update
17 June 2011
Ferrymead Bridge has had further damage as a result of the 13 June earthquake. However, it has been assessed as safe and is open to traffic.
The damage to the bridge was caused by liquefaction – liquefied soil flowed towards the low point in the bed of the river and caused pressure on the bridge’s foundations.
Drivers are encouraged to take care in their approach to the bridge as there is also damage to the road, drive to the conditions, and stay within the speed restrictions.
Prior to the 13 June earthquake the contractor reinstalled the temporary stagings (platforms for cranes) upstream and downstream of the bridge. These stagings were upgraded and performed very well during the earthquake on Monday. In the event of an emergency they can be easily upgraded by installing approaches to allow use as alternative vehicle access if required.
Council staff, Opus Consultants and the contractor HEB Structures are investigating the best option to ensure long term access for local residents and visitors. A timeline for completion of this work is not yet known.
Ferrymead Bridge had suffered significant damage in the 22 February earthquake, as did the new construction works and the temporary staging. However, there have been a number of checks and balances put in place to ensure public safety:
- The bridge was inspected and tested to ensure it had adequate strength before being opened to light vehicles.
- The bridge continues to be monitored for any further movement or damage.
- A 24 hour security presence was in place to prevent heavy vehicles using the bridge while repair were carried out.
- A bracing system was installed to prevent further movement of the pier columns.
- The bridge was jacked back to close to its original profile and then reopened to heavy traffic.
An extra 12 water tankers are now in place in the city’s worst-affected suburbs for use by residents who still do not have water supply.
There is an extra water tank at 2 Esplanade, Sumner and extra water tankers at the following locations:
1091 Ferry Road, Ferrymead
34 Morganwood Street, Bexley
41 Robson Avenue, Avonside
487 New Brighton Road, New Brighton
19 T Rakau Drive, Woolston
110 Major Hornbrook Road, St Andrews
56 St Johns Street, Woolston
107 Retreat Road, Avonside
105 Locksley Avenue, Dallington
21 Colenso Street, Sumner
154 Kingsford Street, Burwood
The latest information about water supply and tank water locations is available at the Water Services section.
Libraries
Library property inspections are underway, working from east to west.
The following libraries are now open: Akaroa, Little River, South Library and Learning Centre. Updates are available at http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/News/Alerts/
Christchurch Libraries’ telephone and online contact service is available 8:00am to 7:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday.
From Sumner Eq info civil defence briefing
“If worried re structural integrity of your house now, phone 941 8999. Or ring EQC and insurance company. You should notify EQC and your insurance company if you have sustained new damage.
Report Potholes on 9418999.
Anyone with emergency repair needs should ring Fletchers. Woolston Hub 3419954
A youtube clip of damage to Whitewash head http://www.youtube.com/user/aaahhgghh
Port Hills Geotech Update
17 June 2011
A further 63 properties on the Port Hills have received red placards as a result of Monday’s aftershocks and assessments are still being carried out on the extent of the damage.
Earthquakes on Monday 13 June have caused significant extra rockfall and land movement hazard in the Port Hills and geotechnical engineers have been working this week to reassess the danger for people and property. Early assessments indicate that remediation work carried out since 22 February was successful in reducing the risk to homes during Monday’s earthquakes. The hill areas worst-affected by Monday’s quakes were around Sumner, including Scarborough and Whitewash Head.
Some of the major additional work being carried out this week and next includes:
* Heberden Avenue – extra sections have been closed and containers put in place because of rockfall hazard and cracking.
* Evans Pass Road - new rock fall hazard has been identified above the road and road closure during daylight hours may be necessary when remedial work begins next week.
* Esplanade to Whitewash Head – additional make-safe work is required.
* Wakefield Avenue – extra containers are being put in place to protect the area from potential rockfalls. The cliffs in this area are now badly cracked.
* Richmond Hill – potentially dangerous large rocks are likely to be blasted.
* Clifton Terrace – a new access road to the Summit Road has been opened and an additional emergency access route is being investigated.
* Shag Rock Reserve (formerly known as Peacock’s Gallop) – containers with ballast are being placed so two traffic lanes can be reopened soon.
People using the Port Hills are asked to keep away from cliff edges and fenced areas and follow advice on warning or danger signs.
Geotechnical engineers will continue to issue red placards on houses that are considered dangerous. Dangerous building notices have been issued under Section 124 of the Building Act. The notices have been put in place because there is a danger to the buildings from rockfall or land movement and it is not safe to enter. Reassessment and remediation work will be carried out over coming weeks and months and residents will be informed when it is safe to re-enter their properties.
The process for determining when it is safe for residents to return to their properties is still being developed and peer reviewed by an international expert in rockfalls to ensure that it is consistent with international best practice. Monday’s earthquakes have had a impact on timelines as the priority has shifted to the reassessment of danger and immediate remedial work. Ultimately, decisions on when red placards will be removed will be made with input from a number of organisations through a robust process that has the safety of people and their homes as its main aim. We will keep you informed as this process is developed and timeframes established.
From next week, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) is sending geotechnical engineers from the Land Damage Assessment Team (LDAT) managed by Tonkin & Taylor into the Port Hills area to begin rapid land damage mapping. The LDAT undertakes land damage assessments for EQC after natural disasters to inform insurance payouts. These engineers will be identifiable by EQC high-visibility vests and “Land Damage Assessment Team” identification badges.
We will keep residents updated as work continues and, for specific requests, you can email porthillsgeotech@ccc.govt.nz <javascript:DeCryptX('qpsuijmmthfpufdiAddd/hpwu/o{')> or visit the Port Hills section online at www.ccc.govt.nz/earthquake .
Port Hills Geotech Team
Mount Pleasant Community Meeting June 15, 2011
Linda Rutland, Immediate Past President of the Mt. Pleasant Community Centre and Residents Association, facilitated the meeting, which was conducted to discuss earthquake issues.
Guest Speakers: Evan Smith, CanCERN Secretariat member
Greg Young, architectural designer and member of MPCC Board
Ruth Dyson, Port Hills MP, Labour
Melanda Slemint, Architect and MPCC Board
Linda Rutland requested a show of hands for the following categories: (estimate of responses out of ~90 attendees)
• Not able to live in your house: over half of attendees
• Not had an EQC full assessment: ~8
• Have received $100,000 payout: ~4
• Have received contents payout: 1
Evan Smith, CanCERN Secretariat member
Mr. Smith presented information about CanCERN’s structure, purpose, and activities. Representing 36 associations, CanCERN has become a respected advocacy group for organisations and community groups such as Mount Pleasant. He recommends communities organise from street units up, sending an overall representative to CanCERN meetings.
Attendee issues and questions (A) and Responses (R)
A) Concern that government lacks urgency, that the army hasn’t been deployed or that a State of Emergency hasn’t been declared.
(R) NZ defence forces may not be best deployed ‘lifting a spade’. Police and Fire units aren’t overwhelmed and so Council can declare State of Emergency.
Greg Young, architectural designer and member of MPCC Board
Greg stressed that a definite process should be followed in terms of assessments, claims, and rebuilds. An outline of this process is included in the Pleasant News newsletter, which was both delivered to each Mt. Pleasant address and also made available at the meeting. Of particular note was the importance of getting a case manager assigned, of not signing anything without architectural advisement, and of selecting a builder familiar with the challenges of building on the hill.
Attendee Questions (A) and Responses (R) from both Greg and other audience members
A) Retaining wall questions: who is responsible; also, there are often conflicting messages between insurers and EQC. What about ‘like for like’ when older wall may not pass current standards.
R) EQC has specific policy on their website; they are likely responsible for most retaining walls of homeowners.
http://canterbury.eqc.govt.nz/print/14
Designs must include latest specs, and if this means something different then building consent is needed; therefore, an engineer must sign off on it.
A) Concern about contractor certification fast-tracking.
R) Make sure you check the builders experience – this is more important than their recent qualifications.
A) Questions about demolishes / removed houses: is the land insured even if the house isn’t rebuilt?
R) The EQC covers up to a certain number of metres, above which insurers are supposed to cover. But if no house is built then insurance on the land will cease. Section 22 of the EQC Act covers the voluntary cover, but it states “the Commission may enter into a contract to insure that building, land, or personal property under this Act against natural disaster damage for such period and to such amount (not exceeding the amount which would apply if the property were insured under any of sections 18 to 20) and upon or subject to such conditions as the Commission thinks fit”. It would seem at the moment rather than “may” the commission “may not” cover you.
A) If something goes wrong, who has liability? Who is going to certify and take responsibility?
R) The designer usually takes liability as they carry insurance. Best to channel building through a designer. Make sure you nominate a designer and/or builder to Fletchers: they have to use them as long as they are on the Fletchers list.
A) What if there is such serious damage that the EQC says “Remove and Replace” yet insurance company wants to just patch it up?
R) Ask the insurance company to issue a “Producer Statement” as to its warranties for structure and materials.
A) Do houses only have to be brought up to the standards / codes to which they were built?
R) No: building is to be to latest codes.
A) If damage exceeds $100,000 and the insurance company gets the money, must we still use Fletchers?
R) No: Fletchers doesn’t do that level. Insurance companies should have a list of companies. A case manager will organise the work. But be careful about their recommendations: best to have your own designer and builder.
A) What if another earthquake damages a new house under construction: who covers?
R) The builder’s will be required to carry “All Risk Insurance”?
A) What requires a building permit?
R) Anything not like for like, anything affecting bracing, if making substitutions such as aluminium windows for wooden, or if installing insulation. Lack of proper consents can be a real impediment when trying to sell. Check the Department of Building and Housing guide http://www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Building/Guidance-information/pdf/dbh-guide-for-building-work-consent-not-required.pdf
A) What if emergency repairs from EQC results in some of the above?
R) Fletchers needs to organise consents. Note: insurance companies can pay more than EQC for emergency repairs.
Evan Smith:
It’s necessary to act together and collate experiences. The insurance companies ‘will try to pick you off one by one to keep costs down. So share knowledge’.
A) Concerns from folks whose houses are in bad shape but have not had the EQC full assessment as of yet.
R) Insurers key, here. There’s lots of overlap between the EQC and insurers and Parliament is moving on a bill to allow insurers to force EQC to pay when they deem houses have over $100,000 damage.
A) Concerns about who to talk to, that many phone calls don’t get through to anyone who will do anything.
R) Call the 04 number in Wellington as sometimes the quality of response is better there. Also, do what you can to get a case manager assigned. Advised to find out who the right person is at the insurance company and to call every day if needed.
A) Some interest in a service that would handle all the coordination, forms, and work involved in negotiating EQC and insurance procedures.
R) Some architects / architectural designers (such as Greg’s firm) does this for clients. But there is no specialised firm currently doing this.
Greg Young:
Its best to get your insurance assessment done before commissioning a designer or architect. They need that to get started. They should then also cover the professional fees, rather than you having to pay them up front. That said, the insurance companies have been paying for my time on spent on projects before they’ve written contracts.
A) Is it advisable to rebuild now when there is a good chance of another sizeable earthquake in the coming year?
R) You should at least have everything ready to go. Also, see if there are time limitations for rebuilding. The Resource Management Act Section 10 states that you’re allowed to rebuild to existing non-compliances with the city plan unless you’ve discontinued using your site for 12 months or more, BUT they can approve it if you submit an application within 2 years.
A) Land issue concern: EQC won’t release to insurance companies until land issues are resolved, but no monitoring is taking place.
R) Some insurers are working from specific geotech reports.
A) Questions about what is contained in a geotech report and what type of tests and evaluations are needed to produce it. Concern that such reports are being produced without even any holes being drilled on the property.
R) Bearing capacity must be measured and this would certainly require drilling holes.
A) Concern about an ‘embargo’ on the hill.
R) GY was informed that parts of the hill were about to be cleared – some sites with particular insurance companies have already had approval for rebuilds on Mt Pleasant.
A) Can the insurer legitimately wait for the EQC report before payout or other forward process?
R) No. Exert pressure.
A) Is the EQC Report on land sufficient for insurers or is a separate report needed?
R) There will need to be a site specific report for building consent.
Greg Young:
Don’t demolish until everything is approved and you get the money.
Linda Rutland:
Linda called for two volunteers to be CanCERN representatives. This would involve presenting Mt. Pleasant concerns at weekly meetings.
Other discussion items from both Linda and attendees:
• Whether grass-roots organising should be by street, by neighbourhood support clusters (lacking in some areas), or by another method. Streets have street issues (e.g., Maffeys Rd.), but support clusters represent a manageable and socially cohesive unit.
• A community database would be desirable in future emergency response and planning situations. Perhaps the Centre administrator could prepare a form—which should definitely include mobile phone numbers.
• Concern about folks who didn’t know about this and other community meetings and how to best outreach. Linda suggested that the community needs to reach out individually to both current and former neighbours.
Melanda Slemint: Architect and MPCC Board
Master planning is currently taking place on Ferrymead and Mount Pleasant. Although there are plenty of problems and lots of negativity, it’s important to remember that this is a time of great opportunity, particularly for Estuary edge, cycle lanes, and a Heathcote River path. Ferrymead / Mount Pleasant could well be the beneficiary of forward thinking.
Tom Davies, Farmers Market organiser:
There are parking and access problems right now, but do your best to go to the Farmers Market. Parking on the causeway and on the grass is available.
Ruth Dyson, Port Hills MP, Labour:
Ruth discussed financial supports: additional government money available for red-stickered folks when insurance money runs out; rates rebates for those whose houses are uninhabitable; and Red Cross grants for kids who must travel for school and for winter heating for households with elderly and very young.
Ruth stressed that she welcomes the opportunity to help individuals with earthquake-related problems (or other problems).
Linda Rutland:
We will have another meeting in a month.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm
