Nelson City Council

24 Dec 2011

Nelson is on the road to recovery after last week’s devastating event.

The timing could not have been worse for our region, which is about to enter its busiest time of the year for visitors who flock here for our sunshine and memorable summer holidays.

Over the past week I have kept a close eye on our city as the events unfolded. I have been kept fully briefed by Civil Defence, who continue to do a marvellous job responding to the emergency which stretched our region’s services to the limit.

Just here in Nelson city, hundreds of people came to the fore to help our residents and protect and restore our city. From Nelmac staff, roading contractors and power and phone supply workers through to the army of staff from both Nelson and Tasman District Councils who manned the three Civil Defence Emergency Operation Centres in Nelson, Richmond and Takaka.

Nelson has been across all media for the wrong reasons, and as our busiest time of year approaches we all have to help each other as much as we can to help our community recover.

It is not going to be a wonderful Christmas for many people, but I know we will continue support each other in the face of such adversity.

My thanks to those who pitched in and my thoughts are with those facing an uncertain future due to damage to their homes. 

I hope the remainder of the festive season is a safe time for all.