A group of 20 flood-affected Auckland homeowners are demanding urgent action to fix storm damage on council land around their homes.
Titirangi homeowner Tony Proffit told 1News he was unable to use his driveway for several months due to a slip caused by the floods last January.
“I think it’s hard not to be angry at this point,” he said.
Proffit is worried more of the slip will fall away every time it rains. However, he is ineligible for funding as the damage is not on his land.
“EQC and private insurance only cover private property, and categorisation also only covers private property. This is a public property issue.”
Profitt was among 20 residents who took their concerns to Auckland Council this morning.
“They have fallen through the gap of existing policies, and they are unique in a set of circumstances that need an answer,” Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said.
It’s estimated more than 60 homeowners in Auckland alone have properties affected by storm debris on public land.
Homeowner Amandine Falco is desperate for a solution before her baby arrives in two months.
“What kind of future should I offer, you know, to my child? I want to just be in a safe environment,” she said.
The council said clearing the damage is likely to cost millions of dollars – money which it doesn’t have. However, the council has promised to find a solution as soon as possible.
“One month – no longer,” Simpson said. “We need to get an answer in one month so these people can have some surety.”
But Proffit was sceptical it would be a quick fix.
“It will still take at least another six months to go through consenting, and then another six months to do the work so we’re looking at at least three years before we have a resolution,” he said.
“And that’s not acceptable.”
