Urgent plea for rubberneckers to avoid Kaiapoi and Pines Beach/Kairaki

Civil Defence in Waimakariri District has issued an urgent plea for sightseers to avoid Kaiapoi and Pines Beach/Kairaki, particularly over the weekend.


“Residents are getting really irritated with the number of people coming to inspect the damage in the centre of Kaiapoi town and in residential areas,” said Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer.


“Some have told us they are tired of being treated like a freak show, and we are urging rubberneckers to simply stay away.


“Many of our Kaiapoi people, like others in Canterbury, need time and space to deal with the situation they are in, and we urge potential visitors to respect their needs for privacy, particularly this weekend.”


Curfews conditions preventing people entering the Kaiapoi and Pines Beach areas between 7pm and 7am have been in place this week and will continue indefinitely at this stage.


Another concern on the security front were reports that bogus insurance assessors may be “casing” homes in the district with a view to committing burglaries later. People should ask for identification and should not allow in anyone they remain suspicious of.


Meanwhile, Waimakariri Civil Defence controller David Ayers urged people needing welfare support and information to go to welfare centres where agencies like WINZ are available. “The centres can best help people with their needs,” he said. It is also suggested that people who have left the district give their details to the council so that they can be contacted later if necessary.


Mr Ayers asked Waimakariri District residents to keep a close eye on their neighbours as the post-quake response carried on. “It is important that we all support each other in these difficult times. Please watch out for your neighbours, particularly vulnerable members of the community such as the elderly.


Also, Civil Defence is reminding people that they should not throw earthquake-generated rubbish on their properties out on to the street. It is the responsibility of landowners to arrange for any material to be removed. Rubbish, including damaged furniture, smaller amounts of rubble, spoiled food, wet carpet and other material contaminated by sewage can all be disposed of in the refuse pit at the Southbrook transfer station.


Clean, uncontaminated rubble and hardfill such as concrete, bricks and tiles will be acceptable as hardfill. Trailer loads can be put in the Southbrook hardfill skip.


For more information on rubbish disposal go to www.waimakariri.govt.nz.