Two days were spent exploring Christchurch’s parks and gardens, CBD
and beaches. To the west of the CBD where I had been staying the earthquake
damage appears minimal. Hitting the CBD and eastern suburbs, it’s another
story. Block after block is cordoned off and the streets are deserted. Various
locals that I have talked to report that 85 – 90 % of buildings in the CBD will
be demolished, and to date across Christchurch, over 800 buildings have been
levelled.
Upon leaving Christchurch I camped at Ashley Gorge, a popular campground approximately 65km to
the west of the city. I have spoken to three separate familys in the
campground, all from Christchurch, and all are having their houses demolished
due to damage. One family is still residing in their home because it is deemed
safe. The earthquake lifted their slab on ground dwelling and it now has 150mm
of fall across the slab from front to rear. They have been told that because
they are “low risk” meaning they are not old and that they can safely reside in
their home, it may take as long as 9 years to have their house rebuilt.
And, as close as one kilometre away, the streets are unharmed, the parks look amazing, and you wouldn’t know that the city had been affected by such a major natural disaster.
I listened to a presentation from Christchurch colleagues who had to maintain a blood bank in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. No power meant no lights or refrigeration, no windows either. They had no idea how their own family or homes were, but patients kept coming in with crush wounds and field amputations who needed blood urgently, so they soldiered on. They couriers blood by bike as the roads were closed to alternate traffic. Tough gig, tough crew. My heart goes out to them and their rebuild.
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