Canterbury earthquake week three update
Released 25 Sep 2010
While the Regional Rural Recovery Group is the lead for recovery, Federated Farmers continues to supply members with topical updates. This advisory focuses on advice relating to EQC, fault scarps and rehabilitation, the Halswell River drainage system and other topical information.
EQC - check your farm properties and lodge your claims
Members are reminded to check all residential properties on-farm and lodge appropriate claims with the EQC (and your insurer if applicable). Claims must be lodged with the EQC within three months of the 4 September earthquake. Members are advised to err on the side of caution. What are seemingly inconsequential cracks now, may become a bigger issue once the claim period lapses. It is recommended to be in the EQC's system.
EQC limits are the least of the following:
- the amount for which you have insured your home on a replacement basis (i.e. the replacement sum insured)
- if your fire insurance policy does not have a replacement sum insured, an amount specified by you in the policy for EQCover on your home or holiday home (which cannot be less than $1,000 per square metre of floor area)
- $100,000 (+ GST) per dwelling.
EQCover also insures your personal belongings. The limit of EQCover for personal belongings is the lesser of:
- the amount for which your belongings are insured against fire
- $20,000 (+ GST).
Claims can be lodged by calling EQC's free phone number - 0800 326 243 (0800 DAMAGE). Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (claims can also be lodged online at www.eqc.govt.nz). Members are further advised to take photographic evidence (with a sense of scale) and please keep a copy of all bills.
Fault scarps and on-farm remediation
An initial joint survey by the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University, supported by the Rural Recovery Group and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, found farmers were effectively remediating the fault scarp by heavy rolling, and cultivation (where necessary). Concerns have remained about void spaces at depth, beyond the reach of standard cultivation methods (>0.3m). Geophysical and geotechnical surveys were undertaken of different land remediation strategies of the Greendale fault scarp formed during the 4 September Darfield Earthquake. The executive summary of the report contains contact information and an FAQ about the earthquake. Federated Farmers thanks Dr Thomas Wilson of the University of Canterbury and the team for making this available to members. This important report can be downloaded by clicking here.
Halswell River drainage district earthquake damage
The Halswell River and drainage system, south-west of Christchurch, has undergone significant changes. Water levels are flowing much higher as a result of the wet winter and the earthquake elevating groundwater levels for several days following the quake.
A significant part of the work involves removing material from the bed and banks of the Halswell River to restore its capacity. The main reason for the reduction in the width of drainage channels was due to bank collapse on either side (lateral spread). Liquefaction has been widespread throughout the catchment resulting in ground level changes, with silt filling up channels and changing the water levels creating ponding in several places.
The restoration of drainage capacity is being tackled in three stages by Environment Canterbury: Firstly, liquefied material from the affected side drains is being removed and selected locations of the Halswell River cleared with drag lines. A drag line has begun working between Tobecks Drain and the Leatham Swamp outlet. The second stage involves medium term stability and restoration of capacity. The final stage is to achieve long term stability of the total system.
For further information, please contact Ross Vesey, Regional Engineer ECan, on 03 372 7200 or 027 284 4813.
Bore pumps affected by the Canterbury earthquake
Yesterday, Federated Farmers issued important advice from Irrigation New Zealand recommending caution when starting bore pumps in zones affected by the Canterbury Earthquake. For more information, please click here.
FMG and earthquake claim settlements
FMG has begun settling earthquake claims in Canterbury and is doing everything it can to help the region's farmers get back on track - including waiving the excess on its customers' policies for their Canterbury earthquake-related claims. It is business as usual regarding existing customers' policy renewals and for non-customers wanting to commence insurance with FMG, it is considering applications for cover on a case by case basis. Please keep on eye on the weekly Friday Flash. For more information, please dial 0800 366 466 of visit FMG's website by clicking here.
Southland update
Federated Farmers is also assisting farmers in Southland following the devastating storms that started a week ago. Federated Farmers, with the help of kindred organisations, is assessing need but the affect is widespread and the weather ongoing. Federated Farmers will be updating all members next week.
For detailed background for farmers about Quake 2010:
Please follow this link by clicking here.
For general information, please contact:
0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)
For contacts in North Canterbury:
Neil Stott
Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president
Phone: 03 318 8577
Mobile: 027 355 4636
Allan Baird
Rural Emergency Coordinator (Regional Rural Recovery Group)
03 347 2728
Doug Archbold
Rural Support Trust North Canterbury
Mobile: 027 3400 878
Murray Rowlands
Federated Farmers North Canterbury Grain & Seeds chairperson
Mobile: 027 242 9542
Kieran Stone
Federated Farmers North Canterbury Dairy chairperson
Mobile: 027 558 8917
Dugald McLean
Federated Farmers North Canterbury Meat & Fibre chairperson
Phone: 03 313 5442
Graeme Albon
Federated Farmers Bees committee member
Phone: 021 025 20328
