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If the flood happened at night we would be wiped out.
Brian Thorne is aware of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s decision, made after May’s flooding in Stafford Clark Court, to tear down seven of Waihi Beach’s elder housing units.
I understand that the council made the decision. There are elderly people, including some who use walkers. It would be a different story if this incident had occurred at night.
Brian’s life was turned upside-down by the Waihi Beach floods.
The water rose up to his chest while he was racing with his son to grab their possessions before running to safety.
He’s now at the Lee St. pension flats, Te Puke.
He is thankful for the roof that he now has over his head, but he still thinks about his life at the beach.
It’s really upset my life. It’s something I think about often. It’s a good thing I live here, but I could have stayed there forever. If I could have upgraded my flats there by the council, then yes, I would be returning.
The lowest flat in the Stafford Clark Court was his. It is located between Jenkinson St. and Beach Rd.
Brian expressed his desire to return home after the damages were assessed and repaired. There is still hope, Brian is on the waiting list for a return if a vacant spot becomes available, and he is also listed to be re-housed in the new elder housing being constructed next to Diggelmann Park.
Te Puke is also home to another victim of the floods in a council flat.
“The council has done so much to help us that I cannot complain. The council arranged for us to all have accommodation. “I consider myself fortunate to have a place to sleep.”
Flash flooding affected dozens of houses, including pensioner apartments. At the time, all tenants had to be evacuated and the council provided homes for those who needed help.
Nigel Sadlier, team leader for property at the Council, says that the demolition of some units wasn’t a decision taken lightly.
The seven buildings that are not to be rebuilt, located lower on the site make them more susceptible to flooding and surface water overflows.
We have considered all options because we know that these apartments are our homes. Our number one priority is the safety of our tenants. “We are unwilling to allow people to return into these apartments after significant weather events, even after reassessing the risk for these properties.”
The tenants of those units that were deemed to be safe moved back into their apartments last month.
All damaged insulation, wall linings and cabinetry have been removed from the property.
We are happy to have tenants move back in these homes that are repaired because the are located higher. Comparing their flood risk to those of the demolished units, it is lower. Nigel adds that minor improvements in the drainage system will further reduce the flood risk.
When a contractor is found, the seven buildings will be destroyed.
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