Kia ora koutou,
In this weeks Recovery Roundup we provide an update on housing, where to go for help, and further explain the role of the Buller Steering Group.
Housing: There has been some good progress with the first people moving into new temporary housing on Queen Street, and the Stafford Street homes aren’t far behind. This website has been updated with more information on Alma Road to help our community understand what is planned there.
Temporary Accommodation Service: We understand that there is still a need for support around temporary accommodation, TAS is still actively helping 73 households who have been displaced by the floods.
If you’re stuck for how to get help, it’s important to know the community hub and navigators are a really great resource. On the off chance they can’t help you directly, they can steer you in the right direction.
We know these are tough times for our community, but it’s lovely to see initiatives like the community kitchen bringing people together, and the kind gifts we’re still receiving from around the country like the Crafty Tarts of Motueka – see updates below.
Kia kaha. We can get through this together.
Ngā mihi
Did you miss the last Recovery Roundup? Catch up on the news here.
Temporary Accommodation Update
The floods of both July last year and February 2022 have displaced people from their homes.
The Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) can assist with temporary accommodation for people while they work with insurance and repairers to either get their homes to a stage where they can move back in, or relocate and rebuild.
Overall, the number of whānau requiring TAS support continues to trend down as households return home, however, TAS is still actively helping 73 households. Of these, 55 are in TAS supplied accommodation – 36 in motel accommodation, 13 in motorhomes and 6 in portacabins.
It is predicted that by the end of the year, about 30 households will still require temporary accommodation support.
Buller and Westport Housing Update
Updates on Queen and Stafford Street housing and Alma Road temporary accommodation including frequently asked questions about Alma Road.
Blessing of Queen Street housing, (9th March 2022)
Steering Group
The Buller Recovery Steering Group has established a cross-agency project to investigate longer-term flood recovery priorities and measures to increase the resilience of Westport and its surrounds from future flood events.
The Steering Group has been tasked with identifying and recommending an integrated package of long-term resilience measures that will be put forward for possible funding through a co-investment approach with Government.
The Steering Group will report back to elected Council members of both the West Coast Regional Council, and Buller District Council with the recommended package of measures by the end of June 2022. Subject to the Councils’ and iwi agreement, and support of the the package, a proposal to seek co-investment from central government will then be made to the Minister of Local Government.
Former Tasman mayor Richard Kempthorne is the Steering Group’s independent chair.
Many thanks to the Crafty Tarts of Motueka
It’s always lovely to know that people from around the country are thinking of us.
We recently received a wonderful gift of hand-made quilts and other crafts from a group of Motueka women who love creating craft work.
They wanted to donate them to flood-affected residents as they thought they would be useful.
In the end, they rallied together and sent us four large bags of beautiful things – quilts, embroidered cushions, crocheted rugs and more. Thanks to the Crafty Tarts for thinking of us.
Some of the Crafty Tarts crew with their handywork which was kindly donated to flood affected residents of Westport.
Community Kitchen A Success
Many flood-affected residents have struggled with cooking while in temporary accommodation or while their homes have been repaired. February 1 marked the opening of Westport’s Community Kitchen at the RSA where hot meals are provided on a Tuesday evening.
Meals can be picked up or delivered but for many it is the social connection and being able to sit and enjoy each other’s company in the RSA that is the highlight of the night.
On the first night of service, the team served up 37 meals and this week this they provided an astonishing 130 hot meals – many of these are delivered to residents by a fantastic army of volunteers. Due to high demand, bookings are absolutely essential. To book your meal, phone 03 789 6000, text 027 279 0277 or email admin@poti.co.nz
The Community Kitchen is it being run by No. 37 Potikohua Trust with funding from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Ruth Naylor and Evelyn Nixon at the RSA and Dawn getting her meal delivered from a volunteer.
Help & SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE AT THE cOMMUNITY hUB
The Buller Recovery Community Hub has been established to help everyone affected by the floods to get the information and support they need. It provides coordinated care in an ongoing way by co-location of wellness providers and a single point of access for assistance for all recovery-related needs (building, wellness, insurance).
If you are feeling stressed or anxious about dealing with any aspect of your recovery, come and have a cuppa and a chat with our friendly team.
REMINDER – PERMANENT BOIL WATER NOTICE for Mokihinui, Little Wanganui and Waimangaroa
Residents connected to the Mokihinui, Little Wanganui and Waimangaroa water supply are reminded that these water supplies are on a permanent boil water notice.
Recent sampling as part of the routine sampling for these water supplies has shown positive E-Coli within the water.
As there is no water treatment in these supplies, samples often show E-Coli and the supply is on a permanent boil water notice.
We thank you for your cooperation.
Please share this information with neighbours, friends, and family in Little Wanganui, Waimangaroa, and Mokihinui.
