Fears of trouble as workers move in

Officials are concerned alcoholfuelled violence and sexual disease consultations will surge in Kaikoura as hundreds of rebuild workers descend on the district.

Police, the Kaikoura District Council and Community and Public Health have set up a group to monitor the earthquake-hit town’s bars and off-licences, while night clinics and random drug tests are planned for workers.

Three hundred North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) Alliance workers – who will help with the estimated $2 billion rebuild of State Highway 1 and the main north railway line – will arrive at a new accommodation camp on Ludstone Rd this month. The facility has been likened to those used in Australian mining camps.

The concerns were raised during a combined Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) committee meeting earlier this month.

‘‘Challenges’’ for Kaikoura included concerns about increases in violence due to alcohol consumption in the township, the mental health of the work force, and increases in GP sexual health consultations.

In Christchurch, the number of confirmed cases and tests for sexual diseases increased following an influx of workers after the February 2011 earthquake.

At yesterday’s CDHB meeting, board member Anna Crighton said there ‘‘could be some challenges arising’’ in Kaikoura, prompting acting chairman Mark Solomon to say ‘‘there already is’’.

Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray knew of the concerns about increased alcohol-related violence as the workers moved in. ‘‘They were highlighted early through our recovery team because . . . those things do happen if you bring in a work camp to a degree,’’ he said.

There had been minor alcoholrelated violent incidents early in Kaikoura’s post-quake recovery.

‘‘We heard of incidents very early on.

‘‘It’s strange to say, but we need some more bars in town, now how weird is that? Because we’ve lost half a dozen outlets . . and there was some issues.

‘‘I think it’s OK, but the thing’s going to ramp up and it’s something

‘‘. . . It’s something we’re going to have to watch . . .’’ Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray

we’re going to have to watch,’’ Gray said.

Marlborough area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Peter Payne said calls to police were down nearly 50 per cent this financial year and there had not been an increase in alcohol-related offending. Instances of family violence in the town had increased by 10 per cent though.

‘‘What we do is work in closely with NCTIR, the organisation that are building the camp and having the workers stay there,’’ Payne said. ‘‘I don’t think there’s going to be a huge issue. There’s potential, don’t get me wrong – but I don’t think there will be.

NZ Transport Agency earthquake recovery manager Steve Mutton said the expectations of the workers were made ‘‘very clear’’.

‘‘We have a very clear expectation of our guys that you’re going to make a positive contribution to not only New Zealand, but the region, but also Kaikoura area itself,’’ he said.

There was an alcohol ban in communal areas of the facility.

‘‘In terms of our project, we have drug and alcohol testing at pre-employment. We also have it for just cause, which means that if there’s an incident we’re allowed to do alcohol and drug testing, but we also have random drug and alcohol testing in place for all our workers,’’ Mutton said.

CDHB acting CEO Mary Gordon said NCTIR indicated it would support the funding of an evening clinic for workers to ensure access to healthcare.