What is CERA’S role? The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) is the agency established by the Government to lead and co-ordinate the ongoing recovery effort following the devastating earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011. The scale of the disaster means the overall recovery requires integrated and timely decision making across a range of organisations. CERA is supporting a range of organisations in making well co-ordinated and timely decisions. It aims to help restore the social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeing of greater Christchurch communities. Our role includes: • Providing leadership and co-ordination for the ongoing recovery effort • Focusing on business recovery, restoring local communities and making sure the right structures are in place for rebuilding • Enabling an effective and timely rebuilding • Working closely with Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council and Environment Canterbury and engaging with local communities of greater Christchurch, including Ngai Tahu, the private sector and the business sector • Keeping people and communities informed. What is CCC’s role? As the local authority responsible for Christchurch city, Christchurch City Council has a major role in earthquake recovery in the city. While CERA leads the recovery strategy, policy and planning, the Government tasked the Council with leading the plan to rebuild the central city. The Council developed a draft plan taking into account the more than 106,000 ideas submitted by residents. This is being consulted on before the final plan is completed by the end of 2011. The Council is also working in partnership with central Government and key contractors on the rebuild of Christchurch’s infrastructure (water, wastewater pipes and roads). Another area of work for the Council is planning for the rebuild of the city’s suburban centres. Residents are being consulted for their views on the redevelopment. The Council is responsible for building consents, the assessment and remediation of rockfall and other geotechnical hazards in the Port Hills and providing advice on the city’s heritage. In addition to these earthquake responsibilities, the Council continues to provide essential services for the city including water and wastewater, roads and traffic management, kerbside rubbish collections, libraries, sport and recreation facilities and parks. For general enquiries contact 0800 RING CERA (0800 7464 2372) or email: [email protected] For more information contact the Council on 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169. For land information enquiries email [email protected] Visit us on www.ccc.govt.nz. A simple guide to understanding key agencies’ roles in the earthquake recovery process EQC, CERA and the Christchurch City Council who actually does what? If your home, land and contents suffered damage in the Canterbury earthquakes, you may have dealt with a number of agencies, including the Earthquake Commission (EQC), Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Agency (CERA) and the Christchurch City Council (CCC). This brochure outlines the basic functions of each organisation and who to contact if you have questions regarding insurance, building, legal or other issues associated with your damaged property, land, contents or insurance claim. What is EQC’s role? EQC is a Crown entity established to provide insurance cover for certain natural disaster claims and for public education and research purposes. Following the Canterbury earthquakes of 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011 EQC has also been asked by the Government to: • Project manage (through a contract with Fletcher Construction) the residential rebuild of Christchurch and affected areas of Canterbury, and • Manage the Winter Heating Programme. In the event of a natural disaster, EQC will pay up to $100,000 + GST for house repairs and $20,000 + GST for contents. Your insurance policy should cover any additional costs. Note, the deadline for lodging a claim for an earthquake is three months after the event. This deadline is set in legislation (The Earthquake Commission Act 1993) which does not allow EQC to accept claims after the deadline. To ensure your contents claim is processed as quickly as possible, it is essential that you provide as much information as possible, including receipts, valuations, quotations, photos and invoices for damaged items, along with a completed schedule of contents form which is available on the EQC website. EQC is not, however, responsible for ‘red stickering’ , Council 124 Notices or demolishing houses. If you have current home and/or contents insurance, you also have EQC cover. The premium you pay to your insurance company includes the premium for EQC cover. This covers damage to residential property caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, natural landslips, volcanic eruptions, hydrothermal activity and tsunami under the Earthquake Commission Act 1993. EQC cover includes dwellings, most personal property (excluding vehicles and art), and the land immediately around the dwelling. Certain items such as swimming pools, paths and fences are not covered. Contact EQC on 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243) or visit www.eqc.govt.nz