Kāinga Ora houses among worst affected in flood-hit Westport stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Minita Taupua Rākau Whakamarumaru
Minister of Agriculture
The
Government is contributing $600,000 to help residents
affected by the weekend’s violent weather with recovery
efforts.
Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris
Faafoi and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor have been
in the Buller district this afternoon to assess flood damage
and support the local response effort.
They have
announced an initial contribution of $300,000 towards a
Buller Mayoral Relief Fund and another $100,000 towards a
similar fund for Marlborough. Alongside that the event has
been classified a medium-scale adverse event, unlocking
another $200,000 for flood-affected farmers and growers
across the West Coast and Marlborough
West Coast Tasman MP and Agriculture Minister Damien O Connor told media at least one farm had lost up to 700 animals, possibly more, in what was an “extraordinary” weather. The animals had been moved to historically safe places, but the river came up much higher than expected, causing them to “panic” and run into the water. O Connor said his brother s farm near Westport had been affected and would face some “challenges”. “Quite a few of the farms here, like the people in houses, will have a challenging time ahead.” The situation had been classified as a medium-scale adverse event, unlocking $200,000 for flood-affected farmers across the West Coast and Marlborough.
Peter Meecham/Stuff
Water surrounds Shelswell Rd on the edge of Westport after floodwaters inundated the area. The mouth of Buller River can be seen in the top right of the photo as it meets the sea. While Faafoi said that the money on offer to Westport and Marlborough was an “initial” outlay until full assessments of the damage were carried out, he would not be drawn on future central government cash. “If they need more we will have a discussion,” Faafoi said. It was understood at least 1000 stock had been lost due to the massive flood, O’Connor said. The Buller river rose more than 12 metres above its normal level.