6 June 2013

EQC Emergency Repairs Not As Easy To Achieve As Mr Brownlee Seems to Think

Is Mr Brownlee getting the right information from his advisors?

That question from Christchurch woman Ali Jones, responding today to comments from the Minister for Earthquake Recovery.

Gerry Brownlee has been quoted suggesting urgent repairs can be “fast tracked” if a home is unsafe, has weatherproofing issues or has lost its main heat source due to earthquake damage.

Jones says it is important that people realise they will have to jump through a few more hoops, do a bit more work and spend a bit more money after they ring 0800 damage to take up Mr Brownlee’s offer of having their repairs fast tracked.

“People now have to supply a builder’s report, photographs and quotes relating to what it will cost to repair the damage. If I was at the end of my tether, cold, tired and worn down, being told that after initially thinking I was close to having damage repaired, would be incredibly deflating. It would be another knock for people who honestly can’t take much more,” she says.

With the recent revelations regarding the possibility of Government Ministers receiving incorrect or incomplete information from staff (Novopay and NZ Meat sitting on Chinese wharves), Jones wonders if Mr Brownlee and the Prime Minister could possibly be getting incorrect updates and information.

“When I hear things like this latest story around fast tracking emergency repairs from Mr Brownlee or when he praises Southern Response for their achievements and work, one has to wonder if he is in receipt of the facts?” she says.

Ali Jones says it is time those who can improve the lives of people still struggling more than 1000 days after Sept 2010’s quake, ensure they are getting the right information about the real situation in Christchurch and start making a real difference.

ENDS

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