Over 500 offers of accommodation have been made in the Queenstown Lakes District alone, as Otago continues to work on a co-ordinated response to offering Christchurch families’ respite.

With the declaration of New Zealand’s first National Civil Defence Emergency comes the activation of Civil Defence structures across the country including the Queenstown Lakes District.

“As a region our immediate focus is to continue to prepare so that we can offer co-ordinated support. It is important that any assistance is well managed and the Civil Defence structures are in place for this reason,” QLDC Civil Defence controller James Hadley said.

That included Council expertise, resource and support from the community.

“This Council has offered resource in terms of trained emergency response staff with a range of expertise. Those staff are here with bags packed and will only head to Christchurch on request, as and when they are needed,” QLDC chief executive Debra Lawson said.

The Council’s emergency management officer was the first to be seconded and would travel to Christchurch today.

Otago controllers agreed this morning to make a single approach to offer accommodation to Cantabrians.

We are formulating a register of accommodation offers from the community, people should contact the Council in the first instance,’ Mr Hadley said.

Cantabrians in need of accommodation should contact the Queenstown i-Site which is co-ordinating immediate accommodation requirements with the assistance of other agencies.

The Council would also be canvassing schools in the district to understand how many children could potentially be placed.

“This is already starting to occur. I know of some children being placed at Arrowtown School and other schools have been proactive on this front,” Mr Hadley said.

“We are receiving clear messages of support from our community who are ready to welcome Cantabrians and offer what they can,” Ms Lawson said.

Meanwhile the following messages had been reiterated:
• Please make monetary donations rather than food, clothing or household goods.
• Please continue to text friends and family at Christchurch rather than call.
• Please call the Council in the first instance to make offers of accommodation Queenstown 03 441 0499 or Wanaka 03 443 0024.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Hadley 0274 870 518.

By: Jo Blick