Desperation as home stays out of bounds
Mike Mason wants to return to the home he was hastily moved out of
18 months ago, when contractors discovered asbestos had contaminated his belongings.
But after spending a year and a half in a temporary accommodation village in Linwood Park, the Christchurch man is no closer to knowing if he will ever be able return to the nearby Sandilands complex.
The Christchurch City Council evacuated residents from all 24 of its social housing units in Griffiths Ave, Nicholas Dr and Coulter St – known as Sandilands – when contractors discovered the need to test for contamination in November
2016.
Results showed tenants from 12 properties could return soon after as no asbestos was in their living spaces. Seven others opted to be permanently relocated, two properties were already vacant and one was able to return after decontamination. Mason is one of two still waiting to return home.
He, along with neighbours across the road, was required to leave his home on the day he found out his roof space, living areas and many of his belongings had been affected by the life-threatening fibrous construction material.
‘‘We don’t know [what’s happening] because we’re not getting any [information] from them, and every time you ask no-one wants to say anything . . . It’s bloody horrible.’’
While he waited, Mason said he was cramped in the smaller dwelling in Linwood Park, forced to store belongings outside and in a neighbouring flat’s shed as he did not have enough space.
He said he was told the repair work could take anywhere from six weeks to three months, but none of the documentation he was given contained a completion date.
Council head of facilities, property and planning Bruce Rendall said the council was yet to make a decision about the future of the flats that were still empty.
A pilot programme to fix two of the units had been completed in December.
‘‘The combined costs of undertaking remediation, legislatively required insulation upgrades and earthquake repairs have proved to be more expensive than the replacement cost of the units,’’ Rendall said. ‘‘Responsible management of public funds means that the council has to have a high level of confidence before committing to repair and remediation in these circumstances, as there may be other options.’’
O¯ tautahi Community Housing Trust (OCHT) was the landlord for the properties and had offered to provide permanent relocations ‘‘where we can’’ for those still unable to return, senior housing manager Bob Hardie said.
‘‘Remediation works are the responsibility of the asset owner and our role as landlord is to ensure that we communicate any progress made by [the] council to our tenants,’’ he said.
‘‘This includes the trust regularly asking council for updates on remediation plans.’’
Mason said he was offered permanent relocation about two months ago.
‘‘I’m not bloody moving. I’m not shifting all my stuff back and forward around Christchurch while [the council and OCHT] sort out the bloody house. I don’t see why.’’
The complex, a former rubbish dump, has faced contamination issues in the past, and the land underneath it had to be remediated in 2003. One resident of the area, who did not want to be identified, said they were not even allowed to plant flowers in their garden as a result.