Canterbury earthquake (Federated Farmers Tuesday update)
Updates and recent developments.
Meeting on Thursday:
Federated Farmers is extending an invitation to all Canterbury farmers to attend a meeting about the earthquake, on Thursday, 9 September, at Darfield High School (7 McLaughlins Road, Darfield) from 4.30-6.30pm. We are currently preparing an agenda, but this meeting will focus on the Earthquake Commission and insurance issues; the Selwyn District Council; stress management and the Government response. A further advisory, with more information will be issued shortly.
The meeting will be followed by a BBQ and beer will be provided.
Regional Rural Recovery Group:
Federated Farmers staff, the Chief Executive and Federated Farmers Canterbury elected members met with Civil Defence’s Regional Recovery Group this morning to outline their reaction to the earthquake. So far this has focused on response, but the Group is now looking to move into the recovery phase. How to start the recovery process will be a key area of discussion at Thursday’s meeting.
0800 FARMING (0800 327 646):
The 0800 number has been taking calls since 8.30am this morning. The 0800 staff are collating reports of damage to try to gauge where help is needed. The lines are very busy at the moment, so please be patient.
Damage to farm infrastructure:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF’s) latest estimates suggest there have been around 300/400 farms affected, with around 100/150 severely affected. Federated Farmers has had offers of help from many people, so please contact the 0800 number should you require assistance.
Once Federated Farmers understands the extent of the damage, we will report this to both the MAF and Civil Defense. So please call 0800 327 646 to report any damage so that we can effectively collate the data.
Reporting damage to the EQC:
If you do have damage, please make contact with the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and take photographs of any damaged property. If you intend to make an insurance claim through EQC, please contact your insurance company and let them know that your making a claim with EQC. Once you have done this, please ring one of the 0800 numbers below to make a claim. Please ensure you have your address, phone number, policy number and a description of the damage at hand.
ECQ contact numbers: 0800 652 333, 0800 508 765, 0800 326 243
Industry group updates
Grains update
Viterra has offered to try and shift contracted grain in damaged and temporary silos as soon as possible. Please contact Chris Sutherland at Viterra, on 03 344 0121 or via fax on 03 344 0121. Federated Farmers Grain & Seed wish to thank Viterra for their offer.
Federated Farmers is urging farmers to check their silos as soon as possible. Although it is normal practice is for growers to check silos monthly, to prevent grain from spoiling, if there is any possibility that your silo roofs may have been damaged, they should be checked immediately and after each rain. Should you need any assistance the directors of United Wheat Growers (UWG), and the UWG Electoral Committee are available for help and advice, please contact James Sim, UWG on 027 297 5002 should you require any assistance.
Dairy update
DairyNZ is advising all dairy farmers to ensure, at this stressful time, that everyone on the farm is receiving sufficient time-off to rest and that everyone (including family members) are coping with the stress of the aftershocks. DairyNZ is also advising farmers hold regular meetings, so that all staff are clear on what the priorities on-farm are for the coming weeks; what issues need to be dealt with in the next two weeks (for example, water supply); are aware of any on-farm hazards (such as damaged buildings and ground cracks) and what process should be followed if staff find any new hazards.
Farmers needing advice can call DairyNZ Acting Regional Leader for Canterbury, Simon Sankey, on 021 228 3446. Alternatively, Federated Farmers North Canterbury Dairy chairperson, Kieran Stone, is available to offer advice on 027 558 8917 as well as Federated Farmers Dairy vice-chairperson, Willy Leferink, on 03 307 2666.
Meat & Fibre update
Reports coming from Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre suggest that most of the damages has been caused to farmers homes rather than the land. Meat and Fibre farmers needing urgent assistance or advice can call Federated Farmers North Canterbury Meat & Fibre chairperson, Dugald McLean on 03 313 5442.
Bees update
Initial reports are that hives have seemingly come through the earthquake well, especially because the earthquake occurred early in the season for bee keepers. Any beekeeper with damaged hives should contact 0800 327 or seek advice from Federated Farmers Bees committee member, Graeme Albon on 021 025 20328 or Federated Farmers Bees chairperson, John Hartnell on 021 578 754.
Important notices
Short term weather outlook
Currently Canterbury is forecast to have light rain clearing north of Ashburton from late morning to early afternoon. On Wednesday, the forecast is for patchy rain and a light easterly breeze. Thursday is set to see rain spreading North during the afternoon and evening and easterly winds turning southerly. For more information, please click here.
Civil Defence update
Civil Defence said this morning that the aftershocks that have been experienced in the Canterbury region over the past days are following the normal pattern. Civil Defence is warning that the aftershocks are set to continue for some time and people should be careful around damaged buildings.
Electricity update for the Orion network
As of 10am this morning, Orion had less than 1,000 customers without power on their network. In the rural area, Orion reports that most high voltage power lines are up and running again and they expect to finish most other repairs by the end of the day.
Orion’s network remains extremely fragile and although they acknowledge that the damage will take some time to fix, they aim to restore power to all customers by the end of the week.
Telecommunications update
Gen-i is happy to announce that their core communications infrastructure as well as and 111 numbers and both mobile networks are performing well. Gen-i is in close contact with Telecom and Chorus to ensure that customers are served as effectively as possible. Due to safety concerns for staff, Gen-i wishes to advise customers that their Christchurch office will remain closed until at least Thursday, 9 September or until they are convinced that the aftershocks have stopped and the building is safe. Gen-i has increased staff numbers in their Wellington and Auckland offices to deal with any enquiries and can be contacted on 0800 39 49 59.
Services for farmers
Rural contractors available
Federated Farmers has made contact with our affiliated member - Rural Contractors New Zealand. Farmers needing works done on their property, can contact them via 0800 424 266.
Do you need volunteer physical labour?
Before Federated Farmers issues a call for volunteer labour, we wish to ascertain where this is needed (locality) and in what quantity. If you have need for physical labour please call 0800 327 646 as soon as possible.
Generators
Federated Farmers now has a number of generators available and this information has been shared with Selwyn District Council. Federated Farmers is also in contact with Orion Energy about what support farmers may be able to offer. If farmers need generators please call 0800 327 646.
Off-farm grazing
Federated Farmers is receiving offers for off-farm grazing. If you need or can offer such assistance, please call 0800 327 646. Federated Farmers is also able to able to provide stock and land leasing agreements.
Stock water
If you need or can offer assistance with stock water please contact the Selwyn District Council on 03 347 2800.
The wider community and support
Can you offer accommodation to urban residents?
We are still awaiting details from the Red Cross/Civil Defence, but Federated Farmers wishes to collate offers of accommodation to accommodate urban residents of Christchurch. If you can offer any assistance, please register on 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING).
Schools and the University of Canterbury
A reminder that all schools (state and private) will remain closed today and the University of Canterbury is closed until Monday, 13 September.
Federated Farmers Canterbury Field Officers
Federated Farmers Field Officers, Vicky O'Connor and Mark Burnside, are in contact with members and non-members. They are additional resource available to coordinate with the 0800 327 646 freephone number. Vicky O'Connor can be contacted on 027 432 0218 and Mark Burnside on 027 442 3355.
If you can offer assistance or need assistance, please contact:
0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING)