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Hundreds of people from Christchurch's devastated eastern suburbs are to be moved into a "tented village".
Civil Defence national controller John Hamilton said 400 residents would be accommodated in the tents, which have been ordered from Australia.
He told TV ONE's Breakfast that the village was "pretty big, but as you know that's probably not going to be big enough".
People would stay in the tents and other forms of accommodation while repairs to homes were undertaken, Hamilton said.
When the village would be up and running and how long people would be expected to stay there has yet to be confirmed.
Hamilton said the village would be located close to the eastern suburbs so that residents are "not too dislocated from their homes".
He said water mains, the sewerage system and some of the electricity cables in the eastern suburbs had been "really badly affected" and that it would take a "long long time" to fix. Around 15,000 people in the area are still without power.
Ten-year warning about eastern suburbs
The announcement about the tented village followed a warning from Prime Minister John Key that a ban may be needed on any new building in eastern areas of Christchurch.
Officials are assessing if any of the areas can be used for housing in the future, but Key has already hinted a worst case scenario could see some suburbs empty for 10 years while land is remediated.
The eastern suburbs had some of the worst liquefaction in the city after both the September 4 and February 22 quakes.
Key, who will visit the area today, said some residents may need to be relocated to other parts of the city.
He said some reports indicated major land movement with parts in the east having dropped considerably in and around Bexley.
Labour leader Phil Goff said any rebuilding would have to be done to high standards to withstand future quakes.
"Obviously, before you spend money, you have to know rebuilding can take place and that it will be long term," Goff said.
Goff said the process had to start as soon as possible, and has called on the government to put a hold on the sale of state houses so accommodation can be provided for Christchurch quake victims.
Civil Defence has promised things will improve in the area in the next few days, after complaints from residents who felt they had been forgotten.
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said 1000 portaloos were distributed in the area yesterday, and thousands of chemical toilets are currently on their way from China.
Emergency housing demand to 'increase significantly'
Offers of accommodation to those made homeless by the quake are currently outstripping demand, Housing Minister Phil Heatley says.
Heatley said staff from Housing New Zealand and the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) were working around the clock to collate the support offers.
More than 2000 offers of accommodation had been received, with 552 people registered as requiring emergency housing, Heatley said.
"However we believe demand will increase significantly in the coming weeks and months as people return to Canterbury and as rebuilding begins," he said.
Two sites for temporary accommodation of camper vans and mobile homes have been identified by DBH.
Canterbury Park A&P Showgrounds and the Riccarton Race Course will be open for use once essential services such as water supply are in place, the Ministry of Housing said.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentChc patriot said on 2011-04-03 @ 15:49 NZDT: Report abusive post
Christchurch citizens and businesses are suffering financially since the first quake last year. Businesses are closing their doors daily and residents are leaving Chc by the thousands. The DBH housing replacement scheme is underway and companies from all over NZ and the world are tendering. Supporting local business will increase local economic growth, create much needed employment and boost morale. Will Christchurch based companies be chosen first for the supply of short term housing ?
Delve Inside said on 2011-03-04 @ 18:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
It is highly likely that recent & current SEISMIC EXPLORATION for petroleum OIL, GAS & minerals (including invasive techniques involving drilling, the use of dynamite, reflective seismology, and inducement of seismic waves & so-called artificial earthquakes) within New Zealand and along the coasts (near Canterbury Plains and within the offshore CANTERBURY BASIN) have contributed to these weird Christchurch area earthquakes along supposed new faults (Sept. 4, 2010 and Feb. 22, 2011).
VBlackwell said on 2011-03-04 @ 09:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Chemical toilets will not be the answer for many people. We had to use one for nearly two years. Unless emptied early they over fill, leak and smell. People should seriously consider making their own composting toilet using worms from existing composts to start it off. Barley straw in Canterbury is cheap... about $4 a bale. Sprinkle straw over the top at regular intervals. Believe me, chemical toilets are very high maintenance.
cdking said on 2011-03-04 @ 07:42 NZDT: Report abusive post
We live in one of the wealthier hillside suburbs. No water, no sewerage and no sign of the operation suburb teams. Do I honestly think Civil Defence are sending people to undamaged areas or is this just a massive massive job and it's taking time to get round to us all. I'll opt for it's a big job and this is a non story . I've never seen Christchurch less divided, but I appreciate that Mark Sainsbury needs to fill 30 minutes each night.
2true said on 2011-03-03 @ 23:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
My folks live in Dallington, have for the last 20 years, their house is kaput - foundation gone. They have no water, sewerage, power. Dad had to get his teeth done (previous appt), drove out of the muck to Merivale where he found water, sewerage, power - oh and 20 portaloos sitting there ready for use. Only problem is no-one needed them. Gotta wonder if they wouldn't have been better in Dallington, Bexley, Brighton. I'm not so worried about resources coming in, it's where they get put and when.