While today’s media release will be welcome news to those in the most affected areas, the region of Lyttelton, Cass Bay, Rapaki and Governors Bay falls into the “White Zone”.

What do we think the White Zone means for Harbour residents?  At this stage it is simply too early to make the call, as the land in the area has been affected quite differently.  The key issues associated with the Harbour region are presumed to be:

1. Subsidence - evident by collapsing retaining walls, and cracks across the ground;
2. Rock fall from the Port Hills - made worse from the June 13^th earthquake.

Waiting for the experts to assess the area; make recommendations to CERA; advise homeowners; design solutions; and then work toward getting remedial work done – is going to take time.   If your home has been demolished, awaiting demolition, red stickered pending rock removal or ground remediation - the only piece of advice we can offer, is be prepared to wait.

Perhaps focus on the knowledge that you might be in temporary accommodation until say mid-2012.  If your insurance company pays a temporary accommodation allowance for six or twelve months, start thinking about how you will manage the mortgage and rent once this facility finishes.   While an EQC payment, or payments, can assist to reduce your mortgage costs, rent costs will need to be met.

Here at the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre, we have application forms for Financial Assistance through the Temporary Accommodation Service – a fund that steps in once the insurance company stops paying, and continues through to February 2013.   A couple could qualify for $275.00 per week; while a couple with children could qualify for $330.00 per week.

If you need more information, or if you have received information about land remediation here in the harbour, please contact us to discuss your concerns.

For the latest CERA Press Release, you can DOWNLOAD it here.