Relief for some families displaced by the flood will arrive on Monday in the form of three Kāinga Ora houses arriving at the Buller District Council site on Stafford Street. Relocated from Christchurch, two further houses are set to arrive on Wednesday. The allocation of the temporary houses and respective tenancies will be managed by MBIE Temporary Accommodation Services (TAS), with input from the Flood Recovery Welfare team on a case-by-case basis.
The houses will provide these families more spacious surroundings than the motels and holiday park accommodation they have been staying at since July. “Whilst we recognise that this is just another step along the way for families returning home, we hope that the houses go some way toward relieving some of the daily stress and pressures that they face,“ said Bob Dickson, Westport Flood Recovery Manager “The site on Stafford Street will be developed to provide a spacious layout and landscaping will be completed to enhance the site in keeping with local surrounds.”
The accommodation is viewed as a temporary solution to assist displaced people and families while they wait for their homes to be repaired.
“With many Westport residents still waiting to return home after their houses have been repaired, we see this temporary housing as a positive step forward in supporting those most in need.” said Rick Barry, Flood Recovery Logistics Manager.
Mr Barry has confirmed that a building consent exemption has been granted for this work under temporary accommodation. The application for the exemption of the requirement to obtain building consent, which includes a site & drainage plan, foundation plan, elevation details and specification documents, has been granted under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004. While this work has been exempted from the requirement of obtaining a building consent, all work must still comply with the New Zealand Building Code.
In addition to the five Kāinga Ora houses, three Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) relocatable homes are set to arrive in early November and will be located on a site in Queen Street.
The accommodation is viewed as a temporary solution to assist displaced people and families while they wait for their homes to be repaired.
“With many Westport residents still waiting to return home after their houses have been repaired, we see this temporary housing as a positive step forward in supporting those most in need.” said Rick Barry, Flood Recovery Logistics Manager.
Mr Barry has confirmed that a building consent exemption has been granted for this work under temporary accommodation. The application for the exemption of the requirement to obtain building consent, which includes a site & drainage plan, foundation plan, elevation details and specification documents, has been granted under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004. While this work has been exempted from the requirement of obtaining a building consent, all work must still comply with the New Zealand Building Code.
Community Connectors at the Westport Flood Recovery Community Hub are working within the community to ensure our flood affected residents can access the right services, advice and support as Westport continues its rebuild effort.
If you have been affected by the July flood event in Westport and need help to understand your options, pop along to the Community Hub and meet with the team for a cuppa and a friendly chat.
Operating under Covid-19 Level 2 guidelines, the Community Hub is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am-4.00pm and on Saturday between 12.00-2.00pm.
PHONE 0800 768 348