Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2014 19:56:07 GMT 12
Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn has ordered building materials suppliers to open on Good Friday so his town can recover from a storm that ripped roofs off 60 houses and the historic Runanga Miners' Hall.
"Someone had to make a call and I did," he told NZ Newswire.
Most shops have to close on Good Friday and Easter Sunday and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment works to enforce the controversial trading law.
"I'm 100 per cent certain the ministry will not have a go at us under the circumstances," he said.
Mr Kokshoorn says the storm that lashed the West Coast on Thursday ripped most of the roof off the Runanga Miners' Hall and demolished the large Blaketown Hall.
An aircraft hangar with aeroplanes in it at the airport was also demolished, he said.
"We woke this morning after severe winds of over 140km/h yesterday to a lot of devastation.
"We decided not to declare a state of emergency based on the fact that even though it is a significant event there is no threat to life at this moment."
Damage was worst in the Cobden and Blaketown suburbs. Commercial buildings have been damaged but the CBD is in pretty good shape.
The Baptist Hall in High Street is operating as a welfare centre but most people are finding accommodation with friends.
He expects more people to arrive at the welfare centre seeking a place to bed down on Friday night.
"There will a lot of people who won't get back into their homes for a long time."
He said the West Coast community did not need any more bad luck but it was rallying magnificently to the challenge.
Rain was forecast for Friday afternoon and "sadly it arrived", he said.
"Coasters are resilient and we get out there and get out on the job and fix it."
Power was expected to remain out to some places for several days but roads were open, he said.
"Being Good Friday it's been awkward.
"We had to authorise the major building suppliers in town to open this morning. I just said I'd take full responsibility and just open.
"We have an emergency and people need timber."
nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/22731474/west-coast-property-damage-is-significant/
"Someone had to make a call and I did," he told NZ Newswire.
Most shops have to close on Good Friday and Easter Sunday and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment works to enforce the controversial trading law.
"I'm 100 per cent certain the ministry will not have a go at us under the circumstances," he said.
Mr Kokshoorn says the storm that lashed the West Coast on Thursday ripped most of the roof off the Runanga Miners' Hall and demolished the large Blaketown Hall.
An aircraft hangar with aeroplanes in it at the airport was also demolished, he said.
"We woke this morning after severe winds of over 140km/h yesterday to a lot of devastation.
"We decided not to declare a state of emergency based on the fact that even though it is a significant event there is no threat to life at this moment."
Damage was worst in the Cobden and Blaketown suburbs. Commercial buildings have been damaged but the CBD is in pretty good shape.
The Baptist Hall in High Street is operating as a welfare centre but most people are finding accommodation with friends.
He expects more people to arrive at the welfare centre seeking a place to bed down on Friday night.
"There will a lot of people who won't get back into their homes for a long time."
He said the West Coast community did not need any more bad luck but it was rallying magnificently to the challenge.
Rain was forecast for Friday afternoon and "sadly it arrived", he said.
"Coasters are resilient and we get out there and get out on the job and fix it."
Power was expected to remain out to some places for several days but roads were open, he said.
"Being Good Friday it's been awkward.
"We had to authorise the major building suppliers in town to open this morning. I just said I'd take full responsibility and just open.
"We have an emergency and people need timber."
nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/22731474/west-coast-property-damage-is-significant/