Earthquake damage report released

Measures to fix damaged land were also addressed.

An EQC loss adjuster and a Tonkin & Taylor geotechnical engineer have visited the 16 Canterbury homeowners whose damaged land will need further investigations to decide whether or not it can be repaired.

Ian Simpson, EQC's chief executive, says investigations into the most seriously damaged land may still take several months. "As was shown by yesterday's aftershock the land is still moving and final decisions can't be made until the land has settled."

The Commission will be working with local councils, insurance companies and the Government on a remediation plan for all 1200 seriously affected properties and the wider suburbs affected by land damage.

"Every effort is being made to ensure they can rebuild with confidence. Given the stress of the situation we are very grateful for the patience people have shown," said Mr Simpson.

Phone calls have been made to all but a handful of claimants and all 1200 of the most seriously affected have been couriered information packs, including a copy of Tonkin & Taylor's report. The report includes some proposals for repair and future protection that go beyond the scope of current EQC coverage.

"The Government has indicated it is committed to providing funding for this additional work to give greater protection to people's property should a similar earthquake happen in the future," Mr Simpson said.