Council welcomes government funding for key recovery and rebuild work.

Kaikōura District Council welcomes today’s announcement by the government of $5.3 million of funding over the next two years to help with four key areas of ongoing recovery work.

Mayor Winston Gray was optimistic about today’s announcement saying, “this funding includes $2.2 million over two years to help with the costs of repair and rebuild work for Kaikōura’s drinking water, storm water and wastewater systems and $0.3million to assist with funding the final repairs for our harbour. It will also help Council work toward becoming financially sustainable; and provide a partial contribution towards helping us manage our significant natural hazard life safety risks.”

“We’re really pleased to see Government’s ongoing commitment to support for our Council and the people of Kaikōura. Both Council and our residents are still dealing with significant and ongoing issues from the earthquake and all government assistance is appreciated” he said.

Across Kaikōura the 2016 earthquakes caused or accentuated significant risks to some properties and infrastructure from natural hazards. Without assistance, Council is not in a financial position to provide financial assistance to these landowners. Since the earthquake Council has been working with the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, EQC, Environment Canterbury, geologists and scientists to support landowners to work through their natural hazard and land damage issues and to plan for future land use.

“We’ve already set aside $155,000 over the next 3 years to seek advice and support to develop options for affected property owners. Following this announcement, we’re now looking forward to working with government agencies to understand with the combined funds we have, what support may be able to be offered to property owners most affected by the earthquakes,” said Mayor Gray.

ENDS

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