Central City Cordon by Civil Defence
The following statement by Civil Defence is reproduced for the benefit of law practices located in the cordon area:
Since enacting the cordon after the February 22 earthquake, Civil Defence has opened up more than 80% for public or controlled access.
National Controller Steve Brazier said part of the key to that success is a strong commitment to planning, with many staff often putting in 15 hour days.
"In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake our focus was on safety and recovery. This has been closely followed by efforts to make streets safer. This includes stabilisation, remedial repairs, demolitions, or cutting back buildings to the point where they are safe.
"Thanks to the hard work of Civil Defence and its partner agencies we have now made significant progress in opening up cordoned off areas, and this progress will continue."
Zone 5, which encompasses the area between Moorhouse Avenue, Barbadoes Street, St Asaph Street and Colombo Street, will open to residents and businesses on Monday, and the general public on Tuesday. Parts of this area will remain out of bounds because of safety issues. These will be fenced off.
Civil Defence expects the remaining zones, excluding the Red Zone, to be opened progressively over the next three weeks. The zones are planned to be opened in the following order: Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6 and Zone 4 North.
"We want to give an indication to residents and businesses as to when they may be able to re-enter their streets safely. While we believe our schedule is achievable on the basis of current information, we emphasise that this timetable is indicative.
"We are fully sympathetic to the situation but we cannot put lives at risk to meet an artificial deadline. These dates will change in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as a major aftershock or demolition delays.
"By giving residents and business some indications, we hope that they we will have patience while we make this progress. Individual requests for access to these zones ties up resources and hinders our progress."
While Civil Defence has been preparing zones to be opened, a coordinated plan has been in place to give businesses controlled access into zones.
More than 510 businesses (2000 people), have been granted access to green or yellow placarded buildings within cordoned areas so far. That includes 92 business who were granted access to parts of Zone 4 North on 25 March.
"We realise businesses have needed to retrieve key items so they can relocate their business while we work to open up zones. We thank businesses for their patience during this time."
Civil Defence is also planning safe corridors into the Red Zone. These corridors will allow businesses and residents to be safely escorted into areas of the Red Zone to access green and yellow placarded premises.
"Business and residents located within the Red Zone need to be realistic around how long it will take to open up this area. The Red Zone suffered significant damage during the earthquake and it will take some time to open up this area.
"We hope by providing access, where safety permits, that they will assist businesses during this transition period."
It is anticipated that details on the safe corridors will be released within days, and the safe corridors formed next week.
The Red Zone will be slowly reduced from the inside out as safety permits.
Background details
Zone 5 opening
Zone 5, encompassing the area between Moorhouse Avenue, Barbadoes Street, St Asaph Street and Colombo Street, will open to residents and businesses on Monday 28 March.
Residents and businesses will be able to access the zone from 8.00am. They will first need to report to the Mobile Information Centre at the CPIT carpark on Madras St.
Residents will need to bring photo identification and proof of residence.
Businesses will need to register on www.recovercanterbury.co.nz if they have not done so already.
Entry to red placard buildings is prohibited.
Some areas of Zone 5 will remain fenced off for safety reasons and should not be entered.
A small section of St Asaph St is currently fenced off while asbestos removal work is being carried out. Diversions will be in place on Ferry Road, and are only expected to be in place for a number of days.
If residents have any concerns they should visit the Mobile Information Centre at the CPIT carpark, or contact EQC for advice.
Zone 5 will open to the general public from 8.00am, Tuesday 29 March.
Zone opening schedule
Remaining zones, excluding the Red Zone, are scheduled to be open on the following dates.
Please be aware that these dates may change in the event of unforeseen circumstances, including a major aftershock, delays in demolition work, or asbestos findings.
Zone 8: 5 April.
Zone 7: 8 April.
Zone 6: 10 April.
Zone 4 North: 16 April.
Residents and businesses will be granted access 24 hours earlier than the final zone opening dates.
Details of the zone openings will be provided as they become available, as the dates are confirmed.
Controlled access for businesses
More business were granted access into zones on 25 March. Ninety-two business were given controlled access into parts of Zone 4 North to retrieve key items.
The businesses had registered on www.recovercanterbury.co.nz and were contacted directly.
Only some sections of Zone 4 were opened due to safety reasons, and entry was only permitted into green or yellow placarded buildings.
More than 510 businesses (2000 people) have now been granted access to cordoned areas so far.
Each business has been allowed to take in four people, along with a light vehicle and trailer where possible.
Safe corridors into Red Zone
Civil Defence is working to create safe corridors that will permit controlled access into the Red Zone. This will allow Civil Defence to put in process where businesses can enter the Red Zone and retrieve key items.
The details of these safe corridors are still being produced. It is anticipated that these details will be released within days, and the safe corridors formed next week.
We remind businesses that are located in the CBD to register on www.recovercanterbury.co.nz.