Canterbury Earthquake (Federated Farmers Saturday Update)

The Business Of Recovery Commences As The Regional Rural Recovery Group Gears Up

Major updates and rural news:

0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) open this weekend

0800 FARMING number is open this weekend from 0830am until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Messages outside of this time may be left.

Be safe because damaged silos can kill

Federated Farmers Grain and Seeds is extremely concerned by poor advice circulating about how to empty damaged grain silos. Failure to act safely may result in death, so it is vital farmers heed this advice.

If silos are structurally compromised in any way (eg damaged or on a lean), then you must have the affected silos inspected by an engineer before doing anything else. There is major risk of catastrophic failure due to the silo’s contents shifting. This is why evacuating contents from damaged silos must only be done under direction of an engineer and/or by the firm who supplied the silo.

This requires expertise and equipment beyond most farmers. Federated Farmers does not want to see anyone endangered unnecessarily as structures weighing up to 120 tonne are not to be trifled with.

Irrigation NZ advice to farmers in and around the earthquake zone

It appears that most bores and pumping systems will come through the earthquake either unscathed or without serious damage, which is a huge relief.

However, there have been reports of serious damage, resulting in some cases in loss of water. The problems are probably mostly caused by collapse of material around well screens, with some causing slumping at the surface. Some pumps (mainly domestic) have also seized due to sand and silt issues.

On the plus side, in most areas, well water levels have risen, many by several metres and amazingly, there are new artesian flows in places where there weren’t before. It is also likely that some water levels have fallen. At this time, Irrigation NZ is unsure of whether the changes in water levels are permanent of whether water levels will return to “normal” over time.

Water quality in many bores has been affected, resulting in pumping of dirty water due to silt or sand. That is not surprising as things have had a real shake up down there. It is also possible that some wells may have been affected by other sources of contamination.

Irrigation NZ wishes to highlight that the changes in water levels and in the possible consolidation of material around bores and screens could have affected well yields. It would be unwise to assume that bore performance will be the same as it was before the quake.

The highest priority right now is to ensure that water is available for domestic, stock and other uses such as for dairy sheds, washdown etc. Those members with problems in those areas may have already called their pump suppliers or well drillers.

For further advice please refer to Federated Farmers Fact Sheet by clicking here and Irrigation NZ’s website by clicking here.

Offal pits

Following enquiries by Federated Farmers, ECan does not believe there will be a widespread issue with groundwater entering offal pits. Farmers are however advised to check their offal pits for any obvious signs of groundwater following the earthquake.

Other important notices and essential services:

Civil Defence update

State Highway 1 – Coastal Kaikoura landslip

Motorists travelling between Christchurch and Picton can expect delays with the closure of SH1 south of Kaikoura requiring significant diversions. The highway is closed following a large landslide in which around 15,000 cubic metres of soil fell on to the road and railway lines. It is estimated that it will take several days to clear. The cause of the slip has been attributed to heavy rainfall not as a result of any recent earthquake activity. Cars are being diverted to the Inland Kaikoura Rd while heavy transport vehicles are being re-routed via the Lewis Pass. For more information, please click here.

Chimney safety

Householders need to be aware chimneys are likely to be unsafe to use following the earthquake. Until a thorough inspection has been made by a building inspector, householders should use alternative forms of heating.

Public Health

Canterbury public health officials say that there has been no increase in cases of gastroenteritis. However, people who have power recently reconnected should ensure they dispose of perishable food. For more information, please click here.

Schools

All schools, except a handful, will reopen on Monday. Check your school’s website or by clicking here. For more information, visit the Civil Defence website by clicking here or those of your local councils. The Government has also established a dedicated website on the Canterbury earthquake that can be accessed by clicking here. The Government helpline is 0800 779 997.

Electricity update for the Orion network
Orion continues mopping-up operations today to restore all power to those customers who need it and where it is safe to do so. Orion wants to hear from anyone who needs its help to get the power back on. If you are still without power call 03 363 9898 to ensure you are in its system.

Short term weather outlook

There will be patchy light rain tonight with northeasterlies. Tomorrow, it will be mostly cloudy with scattered light rain, increasing from afternoon. Northeasterlies will ease in the morning with southerlies developing. On Monday, the remaining rain will ease to a few coastal showers, clearing by dark. Southerly winds, changing northerly. On Tuesday, high cloud thickening and some rain developing. Northwesterlies strengthening for a time, with a change at night to cold southerlies and snow above 500 metres. For the latest MetService rural update, please click here

Drinking water (Selwyn)

The blanket boil water notice has been lifted across Selwyn District, with the exception of Malvern Hills and Johnson Road water supplies. Water from private bores and wells used for drinking should still be boiled rapidly for three minutes until it has been tested and verified safe. Contact Selwyn District Council (03 347 2800) if you need your bore or well to be tested and there is no charge for this service.

Drinking water (Waimakariri)

Up to 95 percent of Kaiapoi has water restored, but the Council may need to shut water off at times to fix breaks when further leaks appear. Water is also on to all of Pines Beach and Kairaki Beach, with the exception of a few isolated properties (the water mains are still very fragile and there may be occasional interruptions to supply). Boil Water notices remain in force for a number of towns and areas in Waimakariri district. Residents in and around Kaiapoi as well as Pines Beach and Kairaki should continue to boil water prior to drinking, or other uses, including food preparation and brushing teeth. The Council advises that all well water should be boiled prior to drinking until further notice.

Roading update (Selwyn)

SH77 is closed between Glentunnel and Glenroy.

Sections of Ellesmere, Longstaffs and Trices Roads north of Ellesmere Road remain closed.

The Davis Road and Sabys Road bridges are out of action.

Some roads around Tai Tapu are damaged and settlement could have occurred affecting bridges.

Care should be taken on all roads, and particularly approaching bridges.
Repairs have commenced.

Roading update (Waimakariri)

Williams Street and the Williams Street Bridge have REOPENED to two lane traffic. Speed restrictions of 30km an hour apply and parking is very restricted.

Clean up efforts are now focused around the Sewell, Cass, Charles Streets and the Feldwick Avenue block.

Access into the Courtenay Drive, Raven Quay, Charles, Feldwick, Moore Streets is restricted to residents and essential services.

All other roads are open and passable, including roads in Pines-Kairaki. These areas may need to be closed temporarily to allow repairs to water mains. Detours will be put in place.

PLEASE NOTE the Council’s focus to date has been on clearing away debris and making road surfaces safe and clean from silt and sand. These areas may yet need to be dug up to effect repairs to water pipes and power cables

The old Waimakariri Bridge remains closed due to structural damage.

Immediate services available for farmers:

Rural contractors available
A big reminder that our affiliated member, Rural Contractors New Zealand, provide the quickest means to assist farmers. They can be contacted via 0800 424 266.

Checking damage to farm effluent systems

DairyNZ’s Invercargill based Environmental Extension Specialist, John White, is an expert in effluent systems. Given farmers are assessing the physical damage farms may have sustained.

Off-farm grazing
Federated Farmers is receiving offers for off-farm grazing. If you need or can offer such assistance, please call 0800 327 646. Federated Farmers is also able to provide stock and land leasing agreements.

Federated Farmers services (to members)
Federated Farmers legal and employment advice line is available during normal business hours and can be accessed by dialling 0800 327 646.

The wider community, support and updates:

Can you offer accommodation to urban residents?
If you are able to offer accommodation to Christchurch’s urban residents, given the scale of damage in-town, keep registering on 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING). More so, as the extent of urban damage continues to unfold.

ENDS

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