Masterton District has been adopted by two South Island districts in Local Government New Zealand’s [LGNZ] Adopt-a-Community campaign, which matches councils unaffected by Cyclone Gabrielle with a council and community that was badly hit.
LGNZ National Council member mayor Tim Cadogan said the campaign’s aim is to raise as much money as possible for the adopted communities.
He said mayors will be driving the initiative and encouraging donations to their adopted community’s mayoral relief fund.
“We’ve all been watching the devastating scenes in the news and really wanting to help in a meaningful way,” Cadogan said.
Masterton District Council [MDC] has been matched with Ashburton District Council and Mackenzie District Council.
Masterton District Council civil defence controller Steve May said a total of 10 homes have been assessed by the council’s building control team.
He said none of the homes are currently inhabited.
May said extensive cleaning work had already been completed in most homes, while inner linings were removed to help them dry. He said the results of the house assessments are being considered.
Meanwhile, the council’s roading contractors are continuing to respond to slips and flooding debris on roads.
The Masterton-Castlepoint Rd will remain closed between 8am and 4pm until Friday afternoon, with a one-hour opening for traffic between noon and 1pm each day. May said hazards remain even on roads that are now open and further slips are a possibility.
Tararua District’s mayoral relief fund got a $150,000 boost from the government to assist with recovery. Mayor Tracey Collis said she was extremely grateful for the government’s funding. The district also received more than $20,000 in donations from members of the public.
“To see our people pull together to help each other out, and be so generous in many ways is truly heartening.
