Earthquake: Advice and assistance available

Hope you are doing as okay as possible following this terrible earthquake. Lots of damage in our Port Hills electorate, but not compared to other parts of the city, and fortunately, very little serious injury.

Please contact Ruth Dyson at the office if there is any assistance that you need, or anyone else that you know of who needs help. 642 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch. Phone: 389 2262. Take care of yourselves and everybody!

Here is a Key Messages Info Sheet. It has a lot of useful information, so we have reprinted it here...

Information

There is a hotline for earthquake advice assistance: ph 0800 779 997

This provides information on income support, housing, health issues, community assistance, clean-up and how to contact any other services people may need.

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Work and Income is running a hotline 24 hours a day please phone 0800 559-009.

Work and Income Sites Open from 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday:

Linwood Community Link - 156 Aldwins Road, Linwood.

New Brighton - 30 Beresford Street, New Brighton.

Shirley - 203 Hills Road, Shirley.

Financial Assistance

Work & Income administer the CIVIL DEFENCE PAYMENT.

You may be eligible for assistance if you have been required to leave your home because of the civil defence emergency – please contact for advice.

Welfare Centres

Have been set up at Linwood College & Addington Raceway are providing a range of services including Work & Income, Housing New Zealand, medical and social work support and food & water assistance, as well as accommodation where needed.

Volunteers

Christchurch City Council Helpline 941-8999 is available to provide advice and to co-ordinate volunteers. Up-to-date information available on www.getthru.govt.nz.

Property Damage

For property damage inquiries contact the Earthquake Commission 0800 326 243 (you can register on-line which is the easiest way

www.eqc.govt.nz) and then contact your insurance company.

Power Supply

Orion website http://www.oriongroup.co.nz/ provides up to date information regarding power status for areas of Christchurch still affected. If you have an electricity emergency ph 0800 363 9898 or ph 363 9898.

Rubbish

All wheely bin collections are proceeding this week on the usual days. However if your road has been damaged and it will be difficult for the rubbish truck to get to, you may need to take your wheely bin to the easiest place for the truck to get to e.g. the end of your street. Don't put rubble, bricks or masonry into the bins.

Buses

To get information, call Environment Canterbury 3539007 or 0800 324 636

Most buses are operating again.

Water & Sewerage: While most water supplies are restored there may several areas still affected. All sewerage pumping stations are now working as is the waste water treatment plant. Already some tummy bug problems are being reported. People must boil water for three minutes until an all clear is given.

Water

Water is available from tankers at: (Please bring your own 20 litres-plus

containers)

31 McBratneys Road

McBratneys/Banks

Kingsford

Palmers/New Brighton

Halberg/Porritt

Gayhurst/McBratneys

Linwood College

Avonview Retirement Home - Locksley Avenue

Brooklands Community Centre

Banks Ave School

Also, Aranui Primary School is providing water to the community. You must take containers. You can also access toilets and a shower there. Filling stations have been set up to supply water to residents who do not have tap supply at home.

Schools

Schools and Early Childhood Centres are closed till Monday 13 September 2010 - Ministry of Education 0800 225 580.

All schools & early childhood centres in Christchurch, Waimakariri & Selwyn districts will be closed for the whole week. Teachers are able to attend subject to a structural clearance to prepare for the students return next week.

Trades People

Aged Concern has a register of tradespersons people to assist elderly persons. The contact number is 366-0903.

Our office has been advised of an internet service that helps find trades people that are available to do repair jobs. People can list their job on Builderscrack.co.nz http://builderscrack.co.nz/ and wait for trades people to get back to them. If you haven't got internet access then give us a call and we will register your request for you.

Inner city access and Building Evaluation

More than half of the cordoned-off area of the central city has been assessed. People are being advised to stay away as most businesses are not open. Please access via checkpoints dotted around the perimeter, now manned by Defence staff.

Employers & Employees - advice about work and pay

The terms of the employment agreement will be relevant – as a general rule if an employee is willing and available to work, they are entitled to be paid. Working out the best solution for the business and the employee should be agreed between employers and employees – i.e. there should not be a unilateral decision. Visit the website: www.dol.govt.nz/quake2010

Roads

Local Roads out – Dyers Road, ANZAC Drive (South of Pages Rd); Gayhurst Rd; Avonside Drive (Wainoni Rd-Pembroke); Horseshoe Lake Rd; Locksley Ave & Glenarm Tce McBratneys Rd to Dallington Tce.

Bridges Out – South New Brighton & Dallington

General Advice

Please conserve water & power.

Remain calm and keep in touch with neighbours & friends.