Media Release - Action for Christchurch East

Avonside residents pleased Council & Government now listening.

23 September 2010

The organiser behind yesterday’s rally for Avonside residents says her spirit has been lifted following offers of support she’s received following yesterday’s media coverage.

Angela Wasley, said a group has been formed called Action for Christchurch East and is working round the clock to find ways of making life a little easier for those residents now facing a long wait for sewage & drainage to be returned.
She said, Action for Christchurch East would like to acknowledge the mammoth effort that has already gone into the cleanup following the September 4 earthquake.

The group was formed with the intention of raising issues in a coordinated way so the communication and recovery process could be streamlined.
Residents have been frustrated with the lack of clear information available and feel a coordinated approach could alleviate resident’s frustration. The Avonside community is diverse with homeowners, private tenants, and Housing New Zealand tenants.
However, the immediate needs of health and safety are shared by all residents and the group feels direct communication with key people of the Earthquake Recovery Team was a better approach.

Action for Christchurch East is in the process of contacting Residents Associations in the worst hit areas of liquefaction to encourage those communities to take a similar approach. Residents who were not at the Rally but would like to contact the organisers can do so through the Facebook group, ‘Action for Christchurch East.’

Angela Wasley, said Action for Christchurch East would like to thank people for offers of help and donations made but would ask that individuals contact Volunteer Canterbury who can coordinate support for all areas affected by liquefaction. Business owners who can offer services can contact the group by emailing actionforchristchurcheast@gmail.com.

Donations so far include a laptop on loan from FuelfixLtd, datacard and credit from vodafone and food and cleaning products delivered to avonside residents. also Fisher and Paykel are working on arranging some washing mashines to be set up for use by residents affected free of charge at a yet to disclosed location.

Key Points:
1 Health and Safety issues: portaloos and the removal of contaminated liquefaction
2 Streamlined communication
3 Emergency funding solutions
4 Access to decision making process regarding the Geotech report

Solutions:

1 More portaloos in areas with no sewerage
2 Co-ordinated volunteer day to clear all liquefaction, bricks and rubble from residents property so CCC can co-ordinate immediate removal and disposal
3 Avonside Action for Christchurch East group identifying liaison people in the community to discuss issues regarding HNZ, CCC
4 Residents Associations from worst hit areas to communicate to network and problem solve similar issues to speed the recovery process
5 Mayors Fund to be used to pay for residents laundry to be cleaned on proof of no sewerage facilities
6 HNZ negotiations where tenants are in housing with no sewerage
7 Representatives from the worst hit areas of liquefaction to be present and involved in discussions following Geotech report

Volunteer Day
A Volunteer Day is being held Saturday 25 September, 10am. Co-ordinated by Sam Johnson. Ackland Avenue meeting point.

Shovels and wheelbarrows will be available. We want volunteers to work through the streets of Avonside including Avonside Drive, Bracken Street, Robson Avenue, Maling Street, Keller Street, Morris Street, Acland Avenue, Monkton Place and Galbraith Street.

Residents will be doorknocked with offers of assistance to remove liquefaction from properties but people will not be home on that day could leave a note in their letterbox requesting help.

Members of the "Action for Christchurch East" group are hoping other suburbs affected will now be able to co-ordinate similar structures to bring the same help to their affected areas and looks to network and work alongside others in silmilar situations.

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