Checks show no infrastructure issues after quake

July 25th, 2013
[Nelson Tasman Civil Defence press release]

Checks to infrastructure around the region have shown no damage as a result of Sunday's shallow 6.5 magnitude earthquake.

Nelson City Council officers and contractors spent Monday checking pipelines, reservoirs and dams to ensure all infrastructure was sound and unaffected by the earthquake or aftershocks.

Nelson City Council-owned buildings with initial earthquake assessments at 33% or less were also checked and none showed any damage.

In Tasman District, no damage has been recorded to any buildings, including some identified as at-risk that were recently inspected.

The Tasman District Council Customer Service Centre has received a number of calls about the quality of water from private ground water bores. While the earthquakes have shaken up aquifers and bores, it is most likely the shaking stirred fine silts and is causing discolouration to the water. Flushing and over-pumping could cause this to settle down. Any residents who remain concerned should ring the Council or they can get their bores tested through the Cawthron Institute.

Both Councils are aware that a number of privately owned buildings in the CBD are proactively being checked by their owners. Councils advise building owners to arrange for structural engineers to check their buildings if they have any concerns about possible damage or health and safety.

Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio says that residents have really learned from the Christchurch experience. "It's great to see how many residents have their emergency kits ready and the building owners and businesses who are proactively assessing their buildings for damage to ensure everyone's safety.

"It pays to be diligent and to undertake these checks, especially when we're still getting aftershocks to the region and expect to over the next few days.

"Christchurch taught us many lessons about how unpredictable the world can be. There is something we can do to take control, though, and that's to be prepared at home with an emergency kit and have a household plan so you can connect with your family, friends, and neighbours after an event. We really can't share this message enough."

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne says the subject of earthquakes is always at the top of New Zealander's minds, but talk is never the same as the real thing.

"While Tasman has a proven community resilience it is also an opportunity to connect with our neighbours and local community so we are in a good position to support each other in need.

"Some members of our community have relocated here from Christchurch and for those people the weekend earthquakes would have been unsettling. We need to be aware some will be nervous.

"We've all been shaken up a bit. It's a timely reminder to 'be prepared' because as the weekend shows we will not get much of a warning."

Lists of emergency survival items and other information about what to do before, during and after an earthquake is available on the website getthru.govt.nz.

>> , to be added to the page. [If this link doesn't work, use this form instead]

[ Return ]
[ Other news articles ]

We wish to thank these local community-minded businesses who generously sponsor our site. They recognise the value of supporting this community asset, and in return Motueka Online is pleased to use and recommend their services whenever appropriate.

Ray White Motueka, Motueka Floral Studio, Nelson Building Society, House of Travel,
Greenwood Active Health, Lynette Mytton, T.O.A.D Hall,