16 June 2011

Help Christchurch to clean up following Monday’s aftershocks

Mayor Bob Parker is urging more people to volunteer to help clear silt in the worst affected suburbs, following Monday’s aftershocks.

People who are interested in volunteering to help clean up silt can do so by reporting to the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds staging area (entrance off Curletts Road) from this Saturday 18 June through to Friday 24 June, between 7am-12noon.

The silt clean up from private properties will start in earnest this weekend. Volunteers will work alongside the Farmy Army, a group of volunteers organised by Federated Farmers, the Student Volunteer Army and Christchurch City Council contractors.

Volunteers will concentrate on the worst-affected areas of Bexley, Dallington, Avonside, Avondale and Richmond first before heading to other affected areas in the coming weeks.

“Once again we have had an amazing response from the Student Volunteer Army and the Farmy Army but many of the areas that have been affected are in an even worse state than in the September and February earthquakes. We know that there’s still a wonderful community spirit in the city and we urge people to help others where they can,” Mayor Parker says.

Volunteers are asked to use their own transport and to wear appropriate footwear and clothing. They should also bring a shovel and, if possible, a wheelbarrow.

Anyone who cannot clear the silt from their property to the road by themselves should request assistance at the website www.sva.org.nz or call the Council call centre on 941 8999 or 0800 800 169. All requests are being logged into the same system that Council, student volunteers and the Farmy Army will be using to allocate jobs and ensure that those that need help will get it.

A group of 50 territorial army personnel will also begin work on clearing silt in the eastern suburbs on Monday for a week.

ENDS

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