Roger Sutton- Busy Fortnight | Canterbury Opinion | Local Voices from Canterbury, New Zealand

Right now CERA is in the middle of a busy fortnight or so of public meetings as we try to do all we can to collect feedback and answer questions from property owners recently zoned green.   

In my column two weeks ago, I described new technical categories known as TC1, TC2 and TC3 for foundation design, which were announced at the same time 6430 previously orange-zone properties were rezoned. Homes that do not require substantial repairs due to earthquake damage are unaffected by the technical categories.  

In the past four days, CERA has held eight meetings (in the Central City, Woolston, Brooklands, Parklands, St Albans and Aranui), two more are scheduled today while another 10 are planned around greater Christchurch in the coming days. We're doing our best to get information to affected people quickly, so property owners can then work with EQC to repair their land, if required, and with their insurer or EQC to repair and/or rebuild houses.  

These scheduled meetings are organised by CERA, but include presentations from the Department of Building and Housing, relevant local bodies, EQC and insurers. The Canterbury Temporary Accommodation Service, with its Earthquake Support Coordinators, is present also to give free help.   I should, however, stress the meetings are not for all green zone homeowners but apply only to the properties recently rezoned from orange to green with the technical category TC3. We have contacted them all by letter.  

Today's meetings are at the St Albans Working Men's Club from 2.30pm to 4.30pm covering the St Albans/Richmond area and at Kaiapoi North Primary School (for relevant property owners in and around that town) from 6.30-8.30pm. Next week's meetings are at Parklands Baptist Church, Monday 2pm to 4pm, St Albans Baptist Church Monday 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Belfast Rugby Club Rooms (for Bishopdale) Tuesday 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Oaklands School (for  Halswell) Tuesday 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Chisnallwood Intermediate (for Aranui) Wednesday 1pm to 3pm, Roy Stokes Hall, New Brighton, (for Southshore) Wednesday 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Brooklands Community Centre (for Spencerville/Brooklands) Thursday 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Parklands Baptist Church Friday 2pm to 4pm and Parklands Baptist Church Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm.   

The last scheduled meeting is for Redcliffs people and will be held at Sumner Old School Hall on Monday, November 28, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.  

*Roger Sutton is chief executive of Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority. If you want to comment on his editorial email star.reporters @star canterbury.co.nz.