Flood Media Release 9 - 0900 Hours
Media Release 9 - 2 June 2010, 0900 Hours
Roading
Roading crews have been working hard to clean up the slips, mud and debris from the roads following the flood event on Tuesday, 1 June 2010. The Transportation Manager Martin Taylor asks people to please drive to the conditions as roading crews are going about their clean up operations. All roads are open.
Stormwater
Stormwater systems are been assessed by staff. The Council is appealing to people not to shovel or dump silt into the stormwater cesspits as this only blocks the system increasing the risk and severity of future flooding. Council staff will be cleaning the worst affected stormwater drains in anticipation of further rains forecast for Sunday. Diane Turner, Controller, Eastern Bay of Plenty, urges people to load their silt into trailers and take it to the recycling park at Te Tahi Street. There is no charge for this. She advised that 14 skip bins have been provided in the worst affected streets for people to use. Commercial vehicles can take silt and debris directly to the Burma Road landfill. Please make arrangements with Waste Management Ltd on 0800 10 10 10. Cars and trailers are to go to the Recycling Park.
The Council is working with Environment Bay of Plenty to assess the Wainui Te Whara and Matata catchment areas for damage and debris accumulation and risk if there is further rain.
Building Inspections
Ms Turner confirms that staff have inspected over 230 homes in Whakatane and Ohope and the rest will be completed by the end of today. If people wish to confirm if their houses have been inspected they should check their mailbox or their front door in case a building report has been left by staff. She appealed to anyone who has had their homes flooded to contact the Council. “This applies even to those people who don’t have insurance. It’s a health and safety issue for people and we want them to contact us to get their houses inspected.” The Council is offering a special building consent application package to owners of flood damaged houses to assist with repairs. For more information visit the Council website www.whakatane.govt.nz or contact the Council on 3060500.
Sportsfields, Ohope Hall and Birdwalk
Sportsfields have been closed in the Whakatane and Ohope area and staff will reassess the situation in time to make a decision for weekend sports. Please listen to the radio for updates.
The Ohope Hall is closed for use as it sustained flooding and the floor has bowed and the grounds are still unusable.
The Birdwalk is closed until further notice as the White Horse Drive bridge has been washed away and Mokorua Gorge bridge is dangerous. Please contact the Visitor Information Centre for updated information on the condition of walking tracks on phone 3062030.
Welfare
Welfare teams from the Ministry of Social Development continue to provide support to evacuees and businesses affected by the floods. They are contacting and providing support to all affected people.
Weather forecast
Ms Turner would like to reassure the public that Council staff will be on standby this weekend and will continue to monitor the weather forecasts which indicate heavy rain on Sunday.