Marlborough earthquake recovery update
Media release: Marlborough earthquake recovery update
19 December 2016
Progress on clearing the Awatere slip went off with a bang at the weekend, with two large rocks that were hampering clearance efforts each being blown up by 100kg of explosives.
Watch the video here https://youtu.be/djGdGsTcajw or on council’s Facebook page.
A water cannon capable of sending high pressure water up to 70m arrived on-site from Christchurch yesterday and is joining the effort to clear the slip today.
State Highway 1 south of Clarence remains closed. Crews are also working to open both lanes on Queen Charlotte Drive by the end of the week. The road has been down to one lane in places and patience is urged.
Ward Beach Road is expected to open later today. A ban on gathering paua and crayfish remains in place.
Newly-appointed National Welfare Manager Dave Brash is visiting Marlborough today to be briefed on the Marlborough-led recovery plan.
Thirty-two applications have been received for the Marlborough Mayoral Earthquake Fund. These are being reviewed tomorrow Tuesday 20 December, with the intention of providing funds to successful applicants before the end of the week.
The Ward and Seddon school swimming pools are both expected to open this week, enabling local families to stay cool this summer. Marlborough District Council has also worked with Marlborough 4 Fun, Marlborough Youth Trust, Sport Tasman and Marlborough District Libraries to establish a summer holiday programme in Ward from 8 to 25 January.
A portable shower block at Ward Hall provided by the New Zealand Defence Force will be removed tomorrowTuesday. Shower facilities are available at Ward School and residents are advised to contact the school caretaker for access.
A community get-together is being held in Ward Domain at 5pm on Wednesday 21 December. A combined churches carol service and BBQ will be held at St Peter’s Church in Ward at 6pm on Friday 23 December.
Marlborough District Council advises all residents and visitors to remain prepared for the risk of aftershocks and tsunami, and to have plans in place in case a significant event does occur.