Residents that were affected by extreme weather in August need additional financial assistance, the Nelson City Council said.
In August, several days of almost non-stop rain in the region around Nelson caused severe flooding and slips, damaging numerous properties and rendering some uninhabitable.
Around three months later, Nelson mayor Nick Smith said that the community still needs support to get back on its feet after the devastating flood, and that he has written to the government requesting further help.
“Tasman mayor Tim King and I have asked the minister of emergency management for further funding,” Smith said. “We have done our best to allocate all of the money in the fund to those most in need, but we still have outstanding applications. We are very grateful for the support we have received but the blunt reality is we need more. I hope government can extend the generosity they have shown so far, so we can ensure those who have suffered financially as a result of August’s severe weather event have some respite.”
According to the city council, the Nelson Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund has distributed $691,833.53 to around 230 individuals, families and businesses affected by the August flooding, but further funding is needed to meet current demand.
The Mayoral Relief Fund helps people and businesses affected by the flooding. It includes losses not covered by insurance, essential living costs, assistance for family or personal crises and, for businesses, a significant drop in income.
The fund has received $694,000 in donations, with $300,000 from the government and the remainder donated by businesses and individuals from local communities. The Mayoral Relief Fund also received $90,000 from the government specifically to assist those affected by the closure of State Highway 6, and $41,800 of that has been allocated to date.
Smith also called for the public to extend a helping hand through donations.
“If people, businesses or organisations can donate anything at all, every bit will make a difference to people that are facing a holiday season out of their homes,” Smith said.
