Canterbury earthquake (Federated Farmers meeting notes from Darfield meeting)

Federated Farmers meeting notes from last evening’s ’What a Week’ earthquake meeting at Darfield High School, Darfield

Meeting opening
Conor English, Chief Executive of Federated Farmers introduced Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson, at 4.30pm. Don welcomed people to the meeting and acknowledged the presence of the Members of Parliament. He also acknowledged the response and recovery efforts of Federated Farmers elected representatives (particularly Neil Stott, Kieran Stone and Murray Rowlands) and staff members.

Murray Rowlands, North Canterbury Grain and Seeds chairperson, mentioned that people need to be careful of silos. He urged people to keep in touch with his team. Kieran Stone North Canterbury Dairy chairperson, asked people to keep an eye out for their neighbours. Neil Stott, President of North Canterbury, thanked everyone who has offered and provided support to affected farmers and their families.

What happened – University of Canterbury/GNS
Mark Quigley made a brief presentation on the earthquake and explained what happened and how it happened. No one can be sure how many aftershocks there will be and he noted that in most cases, changes to water levels in bores will likely be temporary. Both he and his colleagues were staying on to answer any questions people might have and he urged landowners on the fault, to keep in contact with him, especially if there are any changes.

Local Government Response to Earthquake
Environment Canterbury (ECan): Don Rule (Director Resource Planning and Consents,) advised that he is here to listen and see how ECan can alleviate any problems. ECan wants to help with recovery as quickly as possible. ECan wants people to come to them so they can support actions and ECan is looking at ways to reduce paperwork. In answering questions from Conor English, Don said ECan will be looking to reduce requirements for consents and is looking for the simplest way forward. He also assured farmers that they shouldn’t feel worried about informing ECan about issues, such as with damaged fuel tanks.

Selwyn District Council (SDC): Nigel Barnett (SDC councillor responsible for civil defence) congratulated Federated Farmers for running this meeting. He noted that SDC had its emergency centre up and running on Saturday morning and it is still running. As aftershocks have continued, the concern has shifted from infrastructure to people’s wellbeing. SDC has opened welfare centres and volunteers are helping out. With most media attention being focused on Christchurch City, SDC has beefed up its communications.

Nigel advised that sewage is up and running and roads are all passable, with alternative routes around closed bridges. Reticulated water schemes have been tested and most boil water notices have been lifted. He urged people concerned about the water quality of private drinking water bores, to contact the council and they will test it for free. The water race system is operating, but he asked people to let the council know if there any issues. SDC have worked alongside telecommunications providers and with Orion to restore services.

Nigel reiterated that SDC is still in an emergency situation. This provides SDC with powers to respond quickly to any problems but SDC is now entering a recovery mode. People’s welfare is important – people are tired. They will remain in recovery mode until the District is recovered. Nigel looks after the rural taskforce and wishes everyone to work together and share information.

Finally, Nigel advised that people concerned about silos should use professionals as there are risks to safety. SDC can put people in touch with professionals.

Regional Rural Recovery Group (RRRG): The newly appointed Coordinator Allan Baird is based in SDC offices. The RRRG is coordinating recovery tasks and will be recording and responding to requests for help. Bodies represented on the RRRG include Civil Defence (lead), SDC, MAF, Rural Support Trust, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Irrigation NZ, Dairy NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, Rural Women, banks, insurance companies, etc. Allan observed that there have been lots of offers of assistance from a huge range of people. The RRRG needs clear messages on how and where it can help.

Tips for Managing Stress
Rural Support Trust North Canterbury: Doug Archbold told people that everyone who has lived through past few days will be stressed. He reminded people that some stress is normal but the key is to manage it, especially when stress levels rise. He offered the following tips:
Talk to people – a problem shared is a problem halved
Develop a work plan and prioritise steps for recovery
Take time out to relax
Limit your expectations and focus on most important tasks.

Doug urged people to remember that stress is a health issue and not to take a ‘stiff upper lip’ approach. He also advised that RST pamphlets were available at the back of the hall.

Bealey Centre: John Dugdale, a clinical psychologist, described the steps for managing crises:
1. Impact – often feel numbness
2. Turmoil – feelings kick in and people can feel unsafe, depressed or angry. They can give startled responses and become hyper vigilant, so don’t think as efficiently and effectively. John warned people not to ‘horribilise’ – don’t rehearse what might have happened. He also noted that people can either withdraw into themselves or become very active
3. Take control – tap into resources and social support. Think about reconstruction but people can fall into unhelpful coping strategies.
4.
John praised the civic leaders for their immediate response but what to do after that? How do we become calm? Feelings are about signals of internal strife and it is okay to ‘feel’. Networking is important - linking with people and listening to people.

In the short term people should get on with things but if people continue feeling stressed then they need to let people know by contacting Federated Farmers, Rural Support Trust [or Rural Women New Zealand] to access help. He urged people to stay calm, take control, make a plan and look out for one another. Never, ever give up.

Water Irrigation Issues
Paul Donaldson of Water Force and Irrigation NZ spoke to a handout that was circulated in the audience. He reminded farmers that health and safety is most important. Electricity is dangerous so always assume live power. Potable water supply should be the first priority.

If people don’t need to run their bores, leave them until they can be checked. If starting irrigators and sludge comes out, the suggestion was to run the pump at 20 percent and to keep going unless the discharge is devastatingly bad – it should clear over time.

Please refer to a relevant Federated Farmers Fact Sheet by clicking here or go to Irrigation NZ’s website by clicking here.

Insurance
Earthquake Commission: Lance Dixon, Insurance Manager, provided background on the EQC and what it covers - residential properties and infrastructure within 60 metres of the residence. EQC has received 40,000 claims so far. The priority is on habitability issues (5,000 claims), but there will also be a fast-track system for non-structural damage. Lance addressed a number of questions from the audience:

The Act has a limit of $100,000 with anything more to be topped up by private insurers
Damaged water tanks that supply residential properties are covered by EQC if within 60 metres of the residence. Private insurers would cover water tanks outside the 60 metre threshold
EQC will conduct inspections for structural damage. If uncertain about the impact then lodge the claim and EQC will assess
If the damage is to a residence, contact the EQC in the first instance. For everything else, contact your insurance company
Even if there is only minor cracking, the EQC will get to people if they contact it
If people were initially unaware their house was uninhabitable but it is now uninhabitable (say due to aftershocks), they should get in touch with EQC. Lance offered to see people after the meeting
The excess for EQC claims range from $200 to $1,125 depending on damage
Cracks in the ground are not covered by EQC
Farm fencing would be covered by private insurance
EQC prefers people to talk to EQC before paying contractors, but if people have had something fixed, they need to keep the accounts, lodge the claim and EQC will consider it
People have 30 days to lodge claims, which can be extended to three months
People who need accommodation due to their home being uninhabitable, are covered by their private insurance
Underground services (including water, waste water) are covered by EQC, provided it is serving the residence and is within 60 metres of the residence
Commercial buildings, including residences, will be covered by EQC depending on the proportion of space used for residences
If something happens further down the track, contact EQC and they will re-open the claim
EQC will arrange engineers etc to inspect a residence if it is ‘stickered’ as uninhabitable.

Lance advised that further information is available in the brochures at back of the hall. Alternatively, To make a claim phone 0800 326 243 or you can click here to lodge a claim online.

Farmers Mutual Group: Steve Beale, South Island Manager, spoke about FMG’s response. FMG had a team on the ground early Saturday morning. The top priority on the Saturday was to assess the most serious claims and put in place a plan of support. 90 percent of claims have now had assessors on site and the first settlements will be made next week. The FMG team is happy to take calls at any time. If in doubt, call FMG. FMG wants to deal with this quake as quickly and efficiently as possible.

In response to a question from the audience, Steve advised that insurance companies do not cover earth movements. Fences are covered if policies include them, but many farmers choose not to insure fences. Redevelopments of wells will be covered for damage up to the value set out in the policy.

Telecommunications
Chris Quin, Chief Executive of Gen-I, advised that its immediate priority was getting emergency services working, then infrastructure organisations, then working with their customers. Telecom put a high priority on catching up with its Canterbury-based staff. It has shifted some people to call centres outside the region and has brought in people to help with repair and recovery. Four of Telecom’s five Christchurch buildings, are still closed due to being in the CBD but its infrastructure is stable. The only disruption has been due to power outages.

Chris said Telecom employees have gone above and beyond, with some people whose homes were wrecked, continuing to work from temporary accommodation. Telecom has helped set up welfare centres and has made its Christchurch payphones free to use. It is supporting client organisations doing recovery work.

Telecom learnt lessons from the 2006 snowstorms, including the need to develop partnerships with farmers. He was very appreciative of Federated Farmers members who got generators to cell phone sites which kept them powered. On average, batteries will last 4-6 hours but this will be longer in rural areas (up to 24 hours).

Copper lines with a basic plug in phone worked during the event. Fibre though is dependent on electricity. He asked people experiencing faults to be in touch.

Conor also acknowledged the lines company Orion, which has been outstanding in restoring and maintaining power to affected areas.

Banking
Tim Banks, Westpac, advised that the banks are here to help and urged people to get in touch and talk to them. He had three key points:

1. Banks want to know that customers, family and staff are okay. After that, they will need to know about physical impact and financial impact so can assess whether additional seasonal finance is needed
2. People need to keep records of damage, do the necessary repair work, talk to their insurers, and update budgets
3. The banks are calling their customers and many are concerned about damage to underground infrastructure. Banks are increasing lending discretions, providing interest and principal payment holidays. They are working with farmers to update budgets and in many cases waiving fees and making donations to support groups.

Tim asked people to use their networks, including bankers, keep eye on neighbours and look after themselves. Please refer to a relevant Federated Farmers Fact Sheet by clicking here.

Government Response
Conor acknowledged the presence of the Hon Bill English, Hon Gerry Brownlee, Hon David Carter (who had to leave early), Amy Adams and Hon Damien O’Connor. He read out a note from the Hon Jim Anderton (who had to leave early) and noted an apology from the Hon Clayton Cosgrove

Hon Bill English, Minister of Finance, thanked Federated Farmers for its work and noted that the Prime Minister, John Key, had asked him to convey his support. The Government is committed to getting alongside people and working with organisations. It wants to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and is in this for the long haul. Mr English also observed that we need to keep an eye on the big picture and keep working on big issues around the economic recovery. He then introduced the Hon Gerry Brownlee to talk about the response to the earthquake.

Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Earthquake Recovery, complimented the good practical nature of the meeting. He acknowledged Amy Adams as a strong advocate for the area. He also acknowledged the Hon Damien O’Connor and that the earthquake recovery is not subject to partisan politics. Mr Brownlee also acknowledged mayors Ron Keating and Kelvin Coe and noted that local government had done an exceptional job. He also told the meeting that Orion had praised Federated Farmers’ huge role in getting power up and running.

Mr Brownlee said that a high priority is getting EQC and insurance companies working well together, as well as getting Government agencies and community groups linked. Ministers have been on the scene and the Government is committed to working with communities. He observed that this is the biggest thing to hit New Zealand and the work that has been done to date has been exceptionally encouraging.

The Government has announced a number of initiatives, including employer assistance and donation to mayoral relief funds. Mr Brownlee was very aware though of issues for farmers with unseen damage to underground infrastructure. Ministers English and Brownlee addressed a number of questions from the audience:

Considerable concern was expressed by a number of people about neither the EQC nor insurance companies covering damage to the ground caused by fissures and cracks. This is a worry for livestock grazing. Mr English observed that this is one of a number of tricky insurance issues and the Government will be looking into these issues. He did commit the Government to look at the problem, but couldn’t give promises on solutions
Mr Brownlee assured the audience that the Government is committed to promoting irrigation. A possible positive to this disaster is how we deal with long-term planning
Concern was expressed about financial stress in the rural community caused by changes in bank liquidity policies and whether there might be scope to relax the Reserve Bank’s prudential requirements. Mr English suggested that people feeling financial stress should talk to their banks and he expects the Coordinator to give the Government a clear picture on what is happening. He also reminded farmers that they should not feel disqualified from Government assistance packages
In response to a suggestion that Federated Farmers seek advice from other communities affected by earthquakes, Mr Brownlee noted that this is the biggest event we’ve experienced. GNS reminded farmers that they are now among the most knowledgeable about the impact of earthquakes. This knowledge should be complied and put together for other farming communities.

The Government has established a dedicated website on the Canterbury earthquake and that can be accessed by clicking here. The Government helpline is 0800 779 997.

Meeting close
At 6.35, with radio hosts, Jamie McKay and Richard Loe, along with celebrity, Dick Tayler, provided entertainment for an audience of 500.

The meeting ended with Murray Rowlands, Federated Farmers North Canterbury Grain and Seeds chairperson, publicly thanking the roading, power and water people for all their work in restoring essential services. On national television, Murray further thanked local haulage firms like R&R Haulage and Frews. Federated Farmers also wishes to acknowledge the efforts of tradespeople for what they have put into the rural community.

Federated Farmers also publicly thanks the kind generosity of DB Breweries, the Arrow Brewery, Tegel NZ, Silver Fern Farms, CMP/ANZCO, Rabobank, Ballance Agri-Nutrients as well as the other companies, who made this much needed meeting and the BBQ, which followed, a success. Federated Farmers further thanks the staff of Darfield High School and its Principal, James Morris.

ENDS

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