Selwyn Times: April 28, 2021

• By Susan Sandys
EMERGENCY planners expect
Selwyn to bounce back quicker
than other areas if the Alpine
Fault ruptures.
New research shows a 75 per
cent probability of a rupture on
the central section of the Alpine
Fault over the next 50 years.
There is an 82 per cent chance
the earthquake will be magnitude
8 or higher.
The district council is confident
its civil defence and community
response systems are
well placed to
respond.
Civil
Defence and
emergency
management
manager Al
Lawn said the
majority of
Selwyn had a
relatively new
water network with emergency
generator back-up systems on
critical supplies, so the district
could recover more quickly than
other areas.
He said Arthur’s Pass, as
well as Castle Hill and Lake
Coleridge, would be the most
susceptible parts of the district
to damage from landslides,
similar to what was seen in the
Kaikoura/Hurunui earthquake.
“As part of our AF8 community
programme we have
prepared comprehensive community
response plans with these
communities, and have equipped
them with resources such as
radios, satellite phones, emergency
water supplies and first aid
kits. We also have trained Civil
Defence volunteer teams in all
these locations,” Lawn said.
Water, power and phones would
likely be out of action for an extended
period of time in some areas.
In alpine communities, such
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
as Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill,
rupture of pipelines was likely in a
major event.
While emergency services are
expecting damage on the plains,
especially in communities closer
to the Alpine Fault such as Darfield
and Kirwee, Lawn said it
was difficult to forecast impacts
specific to any area because this
would depend on factors such
as the location, strength, length
and direction of the earthquake.
“We’ve been working with
other agencies over a number
of years to plan and prepare
for the eventuality of a major
earthquake.
“We’re part of the AF8 programme
which is helping communities
to build resilience and
preparedness, and we also work
closely with emergency management
groups to co-ordinate our
response to any future Alpine
Fault event.”
The council ran AF8 community
education nights, providing
information on the likely consequences
of such an event , as well
as other emergencies. Its planning
included developing and resourcing
community response teams
throughout the district, made up
of locals trained to respond.
The council provided information
and alerted communities
to immediate hazards through
Selwyn Gets Ready. Lawn
encouraged residents to join at
selwyn.getsready.net
It would shortly be releasing
a new booklet on preparing for
emergencies. Are You Ready?
would be distributed throughout
the district.
The council would be holding
further Get Ready presentations
in coming months, covering
how to be prepared. These
will be at Darfield on May
19, Lincoln on August 18 and
Rolleston on November 3.
• Make plans, p12
NEWS 11
Quick recovery expected if Alpine Fault ruptures
Al Lawn
Wednesday April 28 2021 Selwyn Times
Keeping safe in an
earthquake
Drop, Cover and Hold – This
stops you being knocked
over, makes you a smaller
target for falling and flying
objects and protects
your head, neck and vital
organs. Practice the routine
with your family.
Prepare – Have a family or
household chat to make
an emergency plan to
look after yourself and
your loved ones for at least
three days or more. Plan for
when at home, at work, at
school, wherever you might
be if a disaster struck. Have
essential supplies stored
and ready, including at
least three days’ supply of
water for everyone in your
household. Visit getready.
govt.nz to make a plan
and get simple tips on
how to get ready for an
emergency.
Make your home safer
– Make sure objects
that could fall and hurt
people are either placed
somewhere else or fixed
and fastened. Visit eqc.
govt.nz/be-prepared for
tips.
Consultation closes
Friday 30 April
We have some big decisions ahead of us. Have your say on our proposals for Selwyn for
the next 10 years.
Selwyn is continuing to grow... and our Long-Term Plan is about making sure we meet
the needs of our community and provide for future generations.
HAVE YOUR SAY...
We’ve proposed some key projects over the next 10 years:
· Keeping our drinking water safe
· How we should pay for our water supply
· Developing a new wastewater system for Darfield and Kirwee
· Improving our roading network
· Community facilities in Prebbleton, Leeston and Hororata
We need your help to get this plan right.
Find out more about our big decisions and other proposals for the next 10 years – and have your say at
www.selwyn.govt.nz/thisway2031
Our consultation document is available online, or pick up a copy from the Council offices or any Selwyn library.
Anyone can have a say on our proposals.
Submissions close soon – send us your feedback by 5pm, Friday 30 April.