Council assistance for Christchurch likely to continue for some time - 1/03/2011

“Elected representatives, staff and members of the public joined together in the Council Chamber to pay our respects to the people of Christchurch and I know that at other sites and homes around the district people were doing the same,” Mayor Main said.

“At a time when we are all grieving with Christchurch’s residents, it was a fitting way to show our solidarity.”

Mayor Main said Wanganui District Council’s assistance to Christchurch is likely to continue for some time.

“The national state of emergency is due to expire tonight (Tuesday, March 1) but we understand that it will be extended. The missing persons call centre in Palmerston North, which our staff have been helping with, will probably continue to operate for another two weeks.

“Our region has received requests for additional experienced Emergency Operations staff to go to the National Crisis Management Centre in Wellington to assist with logistics and operations, and we are currently seeking volunteers from our team. At this stage, South Island authorities are mostly helping on the ground in Christchurch while North Island staff are generally being deployed to Wellington.”

If you would like to help:

• Financial donations to Christchurch can be made at banks, the Red Cross building in Guyton Street and at the cashiers desk at the council building at 101 Guyton Street. The account number for online donations via Wanganui District Council is 01-0790-0196473-00.
• People who would like to offer temporary accommodation to Christchurch residents should contact Housing New Zealand on 0800 435 700 or go to their website www.housinghelp.govt.nz.

Council’s assistance to Christchurch:

• Two council building inspectors are working in Christchurch this week and other building inspectors may assist in the coming weeks if required.
• The council is providing a high level of support (up to 15 staff per day) at the missing persons call centre based at Horizons Regional Council in Palmerston North. At this stage it is likely the call centre will continue to operate for another two weeks.
• An environmental health officer is likely to go to Christchurch.
• A staff member will go to the National Crisis Management Centre in Wellington to assist with logistics for four days from Thursday.
• The requests for assistance are continually being updated and the council will respond to these as it is able.