Inaugural inter-agency recovery meeting

Agencies working together following Marlborough’s recent weather event met last week to discuss the region’s plan for recovery.

Marlborough’s Recovery Manager, Dean Heiford, said for the majority of Marlborough’s population life has returned to normal. “However, the communities of Rai Valley, Canvastown, Kenepuru, Okiwi Bay, French Pass, d’Urville Island, Port Underwood and Queen Charlotte Drive remain without, or with very limited, road access.”

“These residents and communities face a long journey back to normality. In some places, in particular in the Marlborough Sounds, the roads as we knew them will never be the same due to the extent of the damage caused in July last year, and then again a couple of weeks ago,” Mr Heiford said. “We recognise the increased pressure and stress this event has had on residents living in affected areas and the disruption it has brought to their daily lives.”

“This year our inter-agency recovery plan follows a format established by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It focuses on the immediate recovery and also incorporates the longer term recovery work that is being led by Council’s Chief Executive, Mark Wheeler, and Council’s Manager for Strategic Planning and Economic Development, Neil Henry. We will be working closely with our iwi partners as we carry out this important recovery mahi,” Mr Heiford said.

“The immediate recovery plan focusses on the Social, Built, Natural and Economic aspects and will see experts in these fields taking the lead. This allows our experts to set priorities for their areas of recovery, ensuring efficiencies and creating their own mini-networks,” he said.

Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said it is great to see this inter-agency team pull together to ensure a connected, cohesive approach to Marlborough’s recovery.

“The team has been quick to recognise the long term implications of this event and the importance of bringing people together early as we embark on the recovery journey,” he said.