Civil Defence boss sees situation on frontlines

THE scale of need in Queenstown is what sets it apart from the rest of the country, the director of Civil Defence says.

Sarah StuartBlack met Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult, Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Mike Theelen and police yesterday at Lake Hayes Pavilion.

The meeting followed a visit to the councilled emergency operations centre, where multiagency staff have responded to welfare needs and planned for future recovery of the resort, following the impacts of Covid19.

Mrs StuartBlack, who was to visit various councils in Otago, said it was an opportunity to check on progress after the Government announced a $30 million support package for food and welfare assistance two weeks ago.

‘‘I think throughout this we have been really aware of both the impacts here in Queenstown, but also in other parts of the country, where there is really high demand.

‘‘My visit here is really to understand and speak with those directly interacting with those members of the community who are most severely impacted.’’

She said there had been an incredible response by staff and volunteers, who had ‘‘given their heart and passion’’ to those suffering in their community.

It was also important, she said, that there were various mechanisms of support to ensure people could access financial or material help.

‘‘I think the difference here in Queenstown is the scale of that [demand] is so high.’’

The challenge for the Civil Defence, Mrs StuartBlack said, was to ‘‘provide a national level response at a household level’’.

‘‘There is a really careful balance in that, so today’s meeting with the mayor and chief executive of the council is really to understand how that work is going.’’

She urged those in the resort in need of help to come forward.

‘‘It is really about trying to emphasise there is an entire arrangement set up to provide direct support to those who need it, so please come forward if you do need help and haven’t been accessing it.’’