Mayor encourages East Coast community to come to public meetings

Marlborough Mayor John Leggett is urging East Coast residents to bring forward their questions or concerns to the public meetings arranged for next week to respond to earthquake insurance and rebuild issues.

Community information meetings have been arranged in Seddon and Ward to provide an opportunity for NCTIR, EQC and insurance companies to give an update on progress that is being made with restoring transport links and with damage claims.

The Mayor said no doubt the heavy rain forecast for this week will make things even more stressful for people living in damaged homes.

“With winter coming and houses that are not weathertight, and the difficulties getting tradespeople, it’s inevitable that residents will be feeling anxious and frustrated. Coming together and asking the questions of those who are dealing directly with the problems will, I hope, help at least some of these cases.”

The on-going smaller earthquakes are continuing to further affect already damaged buildings, making life pretty difficult for some residents, said the Mayor.

He said it was important that no one felt they had been forgotten.

“Inevitably there will be some people without internet access or reliable phone contact and they may be struggling to get any traction with their situation. If you’re in that situation, please come forward and make yourselves known to the agencies and support organisations; we know from the past Christchurch and Seddon experience that going into winter is a tough time and we need to do what we can to help.”

The public meetings will be

* Monday 10 April, 7pm at Awatere Community Hall

* Tuesday 11 April, 7pm at Ward Hall

ENDS.

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