Positive outlook for Canterbury

The Earthquake Commission’s Stage 1 geotechnical report into land damage was released today, and it’s largely good news.

Virtually all land in Canterbury can and will be fixed so it is safe for rebuilding. Only 16 properties have been identified as too costly to repair and rebuild, and all 16 owners have been visited by an EQC loss adjuster and geotechnical engineer over the past two days.

Information packs about land damage, including the report, have been couriered to the owners of the 1200 most damaged properties. The next step for them is to reach a decision with their private insurers about the future of their houses.

So far 16,500 properties in the worst affected areas have been mapped, of which about 60 per cent show no evidence of land damage. Engineers need to wait for the land to settle before developing work plans for properties that have experienced minor, or moderate, damage. The continuing aftershocks are obviously having an on-going effect on the land.

We’re now working with the Earthquake Commission, local councils, and insurers on remediation plans for the 17 suburbs/areas most affected by land damage.

For more information on the earthquake visit: http://beehive.govt.nz/feature/special+feature+canterbury+earthquake+recovery+31