Collection of building materials from flood-damaged homes

Wairoa District Council is meeting the needs of the flood-affected community by collecting building materials from damaged housing, along with its ongoing silt collections.
Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Kitea Tipuna said people are starting to rebuild, and as a result, there is an increase in building materials from flood-damaged homes. “This collection will ensure we are putting solutions in place to support this part of the recovery process.
“Directly after the cyclone, through Government funding, the Council was able to collect flood-damaged property, which included home and building contents. Based on the funding at that time, that collection had to stop at the end of June.
Now, we are seeing a greater need for collecting and removing building materials and building-related debris, so have shifted our focus to support this area of need.
“Council has collected thousands of tonnes of flood-affected property, which has been disposed of at no cost to individuals. We won’t be able to continue with this free service indefinitely, but we do want to help our community and ensure these materials are disposed of appropriately.
“A reminder also to anyone who needs silt cleared from under their homes, please get in touch.
“More than 125 houses have had the silt removed from underneath them, and this free service is still available. The council is also collecting silt from residential properties.
“Because we need to collate the collection of building materials and silt, we ask everyone who would like a collection to please lodge a CSR (Customer Service Request) with the Council to arrange collection.
“This can be done by phoning the Council on +64 6 838 7309 or going online at www.wairoadc.govt.nz/contact-us/customer-service- request/.”

Collection of cyclone-related building materials from flood damaged homes set to begin

Wairoa District Council is meeting the needs of the flood-affected community by collecting building materials from damaged housing, along with its ongoing silt collections.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Kitea Tipuna said the post- cyclone period has been a rapidly changing time, and seven months on, there is a change in need. “People are starting to rebuild, and as a result, there is an increase in building materials from flood-damaged homes. This collection will ensure we are putting solutions in place to support this part of the recovery process.

“Directly after the cyclone, the Council collected flood-damaged property, including flood-affected contents. This was funded by NEMA and the collection had to stop at the end of June. Now, there is a greater need for collecting and removing building materials and building- related debris, so we have shifted our focus.

“In most cases, the collection of flood-damaged building materials will relate to uninsured or under- insured households. Those people with full insurance should have the disposal of flood-damaged building materials included as part of their insurance cover, which will pay any associated costs.

“Up until the end of June, Council had collected approximately 3,000 tonnes of flood-affected contents from impacted residential properties, which has been disposed of at no cost to individuals.

“A reminder also to anyone who needs silt cleared from under their homes, please get in touch. More than 125 houses have had the silt removed from underneath them, and this free service is still available. The Council is also collecting silt from residential properties.
“We won’t be able to continue with this free service indefinitely, but we do want to help our community and ensure we are meeting the needs.

Because we need to collate the collection of building materials and silt, we ask everyone who would like a collection to please lodge a CSR (Customer Service Request) with the Council to arrange collection.

This can be done by phoning the Council on +64 6 838 7309 or going online at www.wairoadc.govt.nz/contact-us/customer-service- request/, or visit the Council offices.

Please note, this service is funded through the Sediment and Debris funding announced by government in May 2023, administered by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, whereby an agreed funding portion has been allocated to Wairoa
District Council to support its community with the recovery of sediment (silt) and debris (waste) created as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Flood damaged items

The collection was introduced following Cyclone Gabrielle to assist people to dispose of flood-affected items, including building materials.
Initially, the Wairoa District Council funded the collection to support the community. Central Government funding was then accessed. That funding ended on Friday, June 30.
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If you need information or advice on how to dispose of your flood-damaged items at your own cost, please phone Council.

+64 6 838 7309