Public Information Update – Tuesday 1 March 2011, 7.00pm

Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 by canterburyearthquake| Comments Off

Key new information

Main North Road closure

* The Main North Rd has been closed to northbound traffic between Sawyers Arms Road and Vagues Road from 3pm because of a collapsed carriageway.

* People in cars travelling north on Main North Road are advised to detour left at Harewood Road in Papanui.

* Work on the damage is expected to be completed later tonight.

Stay away from Christchurch beaches

* The public are advised to stay away from all Christchurch beaches – until further notice – as seawater is contaminated with sewage.

* While contamination at the beaches may not be obvious, residents are strongly advised the health risk is very real.

Information for affected residents

* The student army today delivered thousands of FAQ sheets to households in Parklands, Woolston, St Albans, Shirley and Mairehau.

* Another 120,000 FAQ pamphlets will be delivered tomorrow to residents in the most affected suburbs.

* The pamphlets are being translated into Chinese and Korean.

* Information signs are also being prepared and will be deployed in key parks on Wednesday.

Residential property inspections

* 12250 properties were safety assessed by 2pm today.

* 1444 properties have been red stickered.

* 2113 properties have been yellow stickered.

* 8693 properties have been green stickered.

Chlorination of water supply

* From today parts of the city’s water supply will be chlorinated to kill disease-causing bacteria.

* This is due to infrastructure damage to sewerage and water pipes following the earthquake.

* The public are still advised to boil water for drinking and brushing teeth until further notice.

Stabilisation of Hotel Grand Chancellor

* The stabilisation work was completed today.

* Search and rescue teams have entered the building and reached the fifth floor and will continue their work this evening.

* Nearby buildings in the potential collapse zone have also been searched.

Removal of silt

* Work crews and volunteers are continuing to remove silt from roads across the city.

* By Monday night 120,000 tonnes of silt had been collected with the estimated total amount revised upwards to more than 200,000 tonnes.

Water

* Water supplies will be intermittent for the next two to three weeks.

* Remember to boil ALL water before drinking - including tanker water, de-salinated water, and normal tap water – until further notice.

* Note that when supply is initially restored it may be turned off again soon after to repair any leaks, particularly in the eastern part of the city.

Waste

* Anyone with commercial liquid waste should use a tankered waste company to collect their discharge for disposal.

* There are 856 portaloos currently available in Christchurch.

* 200 more portaloos are due on Wednesday.

* 109 more will be arriving on Thursday and another 960 are coming from the US by the weekend.

* 30,000 chemical toilets have also been ordered.

NZ Post

* Limited postal services resumed today (Tuesday 1 March), primarily in the northern and western areas of Christchurch.

Fire Ban

* A total fire ban for open-air fires has been declared by the National Rural Fire Officer across Canterbury for the next 48 hours from midday today, due to high winds forecast.

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REMINDER: The Rolleston Welfare Centre closed on 26 Feb 2011. See list of currently operating welfare centres http://ow.ly/45JCw

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Update from Orion on power network status, 2 March 2011 10am

Update from Orion on power network status: map and position statement.

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The pharmacy on Parnwell Street, Burwood

The pharmacy on Parnwell Street, Burwood is open today [March 2]

ENDS

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