Further flood relief announcement welcomed

Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye visited Horizons Regional Council today to announce a further $2.6 million relief package for those worst affected by the June 2015 floods.

Minister Kaye and director of Civil Defence and Emergency Management Sarah Stuart–Black met with mayors, local members of parliament, support service representatives and emergency management staff to make the announcement.

Minister Kaye said the package recognises some communities have been hit really hard, especially in rural areas.

“This package will focus on enabling rural communities to get back on their feet. It will be used through services such as enhanced Taskforce Green and local relief funds,” said Minister Kaye.

Horizons Regional Council chairman Bruce Gordon said it is really pleasing to have extra support announced as many communities are still hurting and the road to recovery is long.

“As Minister Kaye pointed out today, while this event is not as severe as 2004, some areas were hit worse than that event. So this funding will bring temporary relief to those worse affected and remind them that others, including central and local government, are thinking of them,” Mr Gordon said.

“Mayors from across the Region will now get together to establish criteria for this funding and decide how it can be best used.

“On behalf of the mayors in our Region I’d like to thank Minister Kaye for coming to see us today and her support across the flood event. She has been actively involved and deployed her resources to the best of her ability which we really appreciate.”

ENDS

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