Call for farmers to contact council

Farmers with flood damage need to contact the Wairoa District Council to help build a clear picture of the extent of the devastation to secure a central government relief package.

Staff have been working constantly over the past two days to get in touch with as many farmers as possible to find out how each have been affected, but are aware that contact has not been made with some.

An emergency public meeting aimed at the farming community is scheduled to take place at the War Memorial Hall today at 1.30pm.

Recovery Manager Des Jane is urging anyone with damage who has not received a phone call or was unable to attend the meeting, to call WDC as soon as possible.

“We need the information to present a case to central government that lets them know how widespread and serious the damage is. We have people on the phones getting in touch with farmers, but if anyone hasn’t heard from us, please call.” he said.

“Farmers are very busy, but if we get the overall picture, we can do more.”

A brief survey, put together in conjunction with Federated Farmers, is being taken to record the affects of the flood, including pasture loss through slips and silt, fencing loss, damage to infrastructure, loss of access, stock loss, crop loss, feed loss and assistance required.

This information will be passed on to MAF to process through central government.

“Get in touch with WDC, and we can gather this information over the phone. Otherwise, we can email the survey to be filled out and returned, or post it,” Mr Jane said.

In the Wairoa township, water supply has been restored to normal flows. Chief Executive Peter Freeman thanked the Wairoa people for their forbearance during the time when water was unavailable.

“The situation is fragile until a permanent solution is in place, but staff and contractors have been able to create a more solid temporary pipeline that is doing the job,” he said.
He reiterates that at no time was the Wairoa water supply contaminated.

People are advised to store three days worth of water (about 40 litres) to avoid being caught short if the water supply should be shut off again. This is a long-standing precaution repeated by Civil Defence frequently, and applies even when there is no immediate threat to the water supply.

Roads in the district are now all open, except for Woodlands Road, which is expected to be cleared today. Extreme caution is recommended on Mangaone Road, Nuhaka River Road, Kopuawhara Road and Waiatai Valley Road, and motorists are urged to take care on all rural roads as drop-outs are numerous.