Public Information Key Issues Update, 11 pm, Thursday 3 March 2011

Rescue moves to response

• No more survivors are expected from the Christchurch earthquake.

• The focus is on recovering bodies.

• We want to recover as many bodies as possible for return to relatives.

• The families of missing people have been advised on the change in focus.

• Damaged buildings will be deconstructed in a way that allows searching to continue.

Portaloo and chemical toilet update

• 920 port-a-loos have been deployed around Christchurch.

• Another 90 are in Christchurch ready for delivery, 100 are due Friday and another 60 are due on Monday.

• 960 portaloos are due to leave the US over the weekend for delivery to Christchurch.

• Chemical toilets:

o 4000 are in Christchurch and are being delivered based on need.

o Another 5000 are due on Tuesday March 8.

o Another 20,000 have been ordered and are being manufactured at the rate of 1000 per day, and will be air-freighted 8000 at a time. Delivery dates will be confirmed as soon as they are known.

• Storage tanks will be placed at a central location for people to empty their chemical toilets.

• Heavy traffic on the roads is causing difficulties in delivering portaloos and chemical toilets, as well as cleaning and emptying them.

Disposal of silt, rubbish and human waste

• If you are piling silt on the road side, keep it to silt or risk it not being picked up.

• Bricks, masonry, carpet, and building debris should be stored on-site until they can be transported to a city transfer station.

• People are asked not to dispose of toilet waste in public park rubbish bins as this raises a health risk for contractors.

• Toilet waste should be wrapped and placed in a red wheelie bin.

• Traffic congestion at transfer stations is slowing the access for Kate Valley Landfill trucks.

• All transfer stations are close to overflowing and may have to be closed if they cannot be cleared adequately.

Cordon Access

• The cordons around the Christchurch CBD and areas in Sydenham remain closed to ensure public safety and no unauthorised access will be granted.

• Civil Defence is developing a plan to allow people to retrieve cars and property from buildings within the cordon.

• Further information on these processes will be released through the media as soon as decisions have been made.

Hill suburbs reassessed for safety

• A number of streets in Redcliffs, Sumner, Heathcote Valley and Cashmere have been checked for safety.

• Some residents have been allowed to return to their homes, others have been allowed restricted access, while some areas remain closed off.

Water Conservation

• Christchurch residents and businesses are being asked to conserve water.

• There is a ban on watering gardens and lawns until further notice.

• House owners need to shut down their irrigation systems.

Civil Defence advice for volunteers

• People with specialist skills should monitor requests from Civil Defence and get in contact if they are needed.

• Use the Trademe portal to offer general services (or phone 0800 435-700).

• The Student Army and Fed Farmers are reviewing their operations as large areas of Christchurch are now clear of silt.

• People outside Christchurch can help by fund-raising in their local area.

• Contact Civil Defence spontaneous volunteers liaison 027 825 6555.

Windsor welfare centres

• Windsor welfare centre has showers available from 8am to 8pm.

• People must register with the Red Cross to use the service.

• People need to bring their own towel and toiletries.

• Red Cross Welfare Grants are not available from Windsor Red Cross at this stage.

Council housing tenants

• Tenants who have left their CCC flats should call the council on 941-8999 to provide an update on where they are staying.

• If tenants have already rung the council there is no need to do so again.

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Need help from Federated Farmers’ Farmy Army?

Need help from Federated Farmers’ Farmy Army to clear liquefaction effects etc? Leave a message on 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646).

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Text messages go out to Christchurch residents, 02:00, Friday 4 March 2011

Text messages are being sent out to Christchurch residents to keep them informed on welfare, public safety and useful information after the February 22nd earthquake.

All the telecommunications companies, Telecom, Vodafone and 2degrees, are helping get critical information to people reliant on cellphones. This is a first for a declared emergency in New Zealand.

The regular messages will include information about community services, such as welfare centres.

There may be hiccups in the pilot system but the companies are doing their best to reach as many people as possible. It is important that people who receive these messages use the contact numbers to get assistance as replies go directly back to the telecommunications companies, not Civil Defence.

Mobile cellphone charging devices will be soon available at the three main welfare centres.

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Large mobile truck-trailer showers coming to Christchurch

Kohler New Zealand Ltd, manufacturers of Englefield bathroomware, are sending New Zealand’s largest purpose-built mobile shower to the Canterbury region; coming to areas that do not have running water, providing free showers to residents and communities. Housed within a 14-metre truck and trailer, the unit contains 14 showers, holds 6,000 litres of water and runs off a gas-powered generator. Up to 170 showers per hour can be taken. More volunteers to staff the unit may be needed. Anyone in Christchurch wanting to help can call 0800 100 382 to register. More details.

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Bishopdale Library opens today, 4 March 2011

Bishopdale Library http://ow.ly/46SVM opens today at 9 am. Please do NOT try to return any item.

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Rolleston Community Centre not open as welfare centre

Rolleston Community Centre is not open as welfare centre. It is open during its normal hours, offering showers and toilet facilities only. See welfare centres for current information.

ENDS

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