Summary of Emergency media briefing - 10.30am 15 June 2011

We will be winding up Civil Defence operations later today as Council staff will continue to work with other agencies. This has become our new ‘business as usual’ following Monday’s aftershocks.

Please note this will be the last of these media briefings.

Silt
Residents with silt on their properties, and who are able to clear the silt themselves, are asked to pile silt on the road outside their property in preparation for removal by Fulton Hogan and City Care contractors. Please put the silt on the road – not the grass berm or the footpath – and keep the water channel by the berm free for drainage.

People who cannot remove their own silt and may require assistance should call the Christchurch City Council Customer Call Centre on 03 941 8999 to register your details.

Contractors have started clearing silt in affected areas and the Farmy Army will also start work this Friday. The Student Volunteer Army will be available to help once exams are over, probably around the end of next week.

Burwood Landfill is receiving silt.

Silt from Monday’s aftershock is particularly wet due to previous aftershocks, which is ensuring it is more difficult to drain away.

Water supply

Water supply is now available as far as the Causeway and there is a focus today on making water available to houses in the eastern hill suburbs. Three additional water tanks have been delivered to the corner of Avonside and Woodham Roads, Cowlishaw St in Avonside and to the BP Service Station in Redcliffs.

Civil Defence are looking at mobilising more water tanks in the Sumner and Redcliffs areas.

Wastewater

Portaloos are available only in areas outside the chemical toilet zones. People are urged to continue using whichever portable toilet is available in their area.

Roads

There is a roads closure list available on the Council website

There is an issue around access to Burwood landfill because of damage to Bower Ave. An alternative route will be organised today.

An alternative access route for Clifton Hill residents should be completed by tomorrow.

Rocks have been cleared from Evans Pass Road.

Welfare centres

A total of 23 people stayed overnight at Cowles Stadium. The welfare needs of these people are currently being assessed and a decision will be made around midday regarding the ongoing need for the welfare centre.

Waste collection

Kerbside collections are still going ahead as normal. Residents are encouraged to put their bins in a dry, accessible part of the street.

All transfer stations are open.

Electricity update

Orion advises that by the end of the day it is expecting to have restored electricity to all except about 500 houses across the city.