Some 10,000 houses to be rebuilt after deadly New Zealand quake

Some 10,000 houses to be rebuilt after deadly New Zealand quake

2011-03-08 14:45:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (BNO NEWS) -- New Zealand Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee on Tuesday said that around 10,000 houses in the Canterbury region will have to be rebuild following the deadly February 22 earthquake.

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake at 12.51 p.m. local time on February 22 (2351 GMT February 21) was centered about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. Up to 2,000 people were injured and rescue workers have so far recovered at least 166 bodies.

Brownlee said the number of 10,000 houses to be rebuild is preliminary and is based on an assessment carried out by geotechnical engineers of the Earthquake Commission.

Some 3,500 properties, which are included in the 10,000 figure, already required demolition and rebuilding after the first earthquake that struck Canterbury on September 4, 2010. That earthquake caused no fatalities, even though it had a much greater magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale.

The preliminary figure of around 10,000 was not based on the Civil Defence's process of red stickering houses, Brownlee said. "A red sticker on a house simply means it is presently uninhabitable," he explained.

"Our experience to date, and the advice we're getting, is there will be a number of other people living in houses that are still habitable who after full assessment will find their house is not economic to repair and will need to be rebuilt," the Minister added. "There are also a number of red stickered houses which are likely to be able to be repaired."

On Monday, New Zealand Civil Defence Minister John Carter extended the state of national emergency for seven more days in the aftermath of the devastating quake. The state of national emergency is expected to be extended for several more weeks.

"This is the first time in New Zealand's history that a state of national emergency has been declared as a result of a civil defence emergency event. The ongoing impact of the earthquake on February 22, and the continuing aftershocks, is of such an extent that a combined effort from across the nation will be required for some time," Carter said.

Carter said the declaration of the state of national emergency ensures the maximum possible co-ordination and co-operation between central and local resources and international assistance. "Under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, this declaration means the National Controller will continue to control the exercise and performance of functions, duties, and powers of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups and Group controller. He works in consultation with central government and local authorities, including the Mayor."

Also on Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key announced that a national memorial service for the victims of the earthquake will be held in Christchurch on February 18. "The service will give people the chance to reflect on the terrible loss of life suffered as a result of the earthquake, and the huge impact it has had on our second largest city," he said.

Key said the memorial service will be an opportunity for Christchurch to mourn together and celebrate the lives of those who have been lost in the disaster. The service will begin at 12.45 p.m. local time, followed by two minutes of silence at 12.51 p.m., the time of the quake.

The PM also announced that March 18 will be a provincial holiday so that people of Canterbury will have the opportunity to attend the memorial service. "While we will never forget those who have been lost, we must now focus that indomitable Canterbury spirit on the future. This service will be a beginning, not an end," he added.

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