Council advises on claims after floods

Homeowners affected by the flood event on Tuesday 1 June 2010 are being asked to lodge claims with the Earthquake Commission (EQC) to get assistance with the costs of cleaning silt from their properties. To be eligible for assistance homeowners must have current house insurance.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Controller, Diane Turner, says EQC can assist homeowners with the clean-up costs but the Commission needs property owners to lodge claims.

Homeowners can call EQC on 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243) to lodge their claim.
EQC will assist with the removal of silt from:

• Under dwellings
• An 8.0m radius around dwellings and accessory buildings
• The main access-way into dwellings (for a distance of 60m).

At this stage EQC has received more than 100 claims from the Whakatane District. For more information please contact the Commission on 0800 326 243.

In the meantime, the Whakatane District Council reminds property owners that a special building consent application package is available. The package offer comprises:

• A one-off fee of $250.00
• The issue of a building consent based on receipt of a simplified application form and a floor plan
• The Council will provide a copy of the House Inspection Record Form that has been completed by the Council’s Building Control team during the response phase of the emergency
• One inspection to check the moisture content of the wall framing and any requirements relating to sheet bracing panels (Note: the Council expects builders to monitor the moisture content of the wall framing and only call the Council to inspect once the moisture content has reduced to below 24%).
• One final inspection to sign off the work
• The issue of a code compliance certificate