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The Kaikōura District Council has welcomed the government’s announcement of $5.3 million of funding over the next two years to help with key recovery and rebuild work.
The Budget 2018 provides Kaikoura with $2.2 million for repairs and the rebuild of drinking water, storm water and wastewater systems, and $300,000 to assist final repairs of its harbour.
“It will also help council work toward becoming financially sustainable, and provide a partial contribution towards helping us manage our significant natural hazard life safety risks,” Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray said. “Both council and our residents are still dealing with significant and ongoing issues from the earthquake and all government assistance is appreciated.”
The 2016 earthquake has accentuated the significant risks to some properties and infrastructure from natural hazards. Without assistance, Gray said, the council is not in a financial position to provide financial help to these landowners.
Since the earthquake, the Kaikoura District Council has been working with the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, EQC, Environment Canterbury, geologists and scientists to support landowners to work through their natural hazard and land damage issues and to plan for future land use.
“We’ve already set aside $155,000 over the next three years to seek advice and support to develop options for affected property owners,” the mayor added. “Following this announcement, we’re now looking forward to working with government agencies to understand, with the combined funds we have, what support may be able to be offered to property owners most affected by the earthquakes.”
