Ruth Dyson at Ferrymead Brookhaven Meeting

RUTH DYSON: The local Brookhaven/Ferrymead Residents' Association called a meeting last night to discuss the new zone for the suburb - Green Blue Technical Category 3. We were fortunate to have the attendance of both Michelle Mitchell and Diane Turner from CERA, as well as Terry O'Leary from Cancern. Well over 500 people attended. Lots of questions arising from the material which was distributed from the CERA office, which I will be raising at the cross-party forum tomorrow.

The biggest question was how the decision was made that this land was ok to rebuild and immense frustration that the land report will not be released to the local residents.

• What assistance will be given to property owners for them to work together for area wide solutions?
•  How will it be physically possible to have an individual geotech report on each individual property, as is suggested in the statement from Minister Gerry Brownlee, that still might be needed ?
• If a rebuild on an individual section is not possible as determined by the geotech report, will EQC pay out on the land?
• What if the insurer says that they won't pay to rebuild there - will EQC pay out then?
• Can the green/blue land be rezoned red in the future, as was intimated by Diane Turner?
• Have the relevant land reports been handed over from Tonkin and Taylor to EQC and the Insurance Companies?
• Will people be able to get legal advice in relation to their options?

Lots of questions to which there were no answers. However, the CERA representatives did explain that the Residents' Association had set up this meeting in advance of the official CERA meeting with residents which will happen sometime soon (after the 14th November) and they promised to have all the relevant people available to answer the questions. The communication plan from CERA is woeful and has increased the frustration and distress for people who just deserve straight answers to straight questions about issues that have a huge impact on their lives.

Source http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00149/christchurch-earthquake-bulletin-editions-139-and-140.htm