NZDF personnel help throw out sodden belongings at a Tinui property after Cylcone Gabrielle. Photo: LDR / file
The owners of flood-damaged Tinui properties are in discussions with Masterton District Council [MDC] over their future.
Cyclone Gabrielle tore through parts of the district in February causing serious flooding in the small community of Tinui.
Some in the small township north of Masterton had to evacuate their homes at the time. The local school was badly flooded, with mud through the classrooms. It operated from a community hall while the cleanup was underway.
A MDC spokesperson confirmed confidential discussions with the property owners were happening.
"Conversations are ongoing with the owners of properties affected by the severe weather events earlier in the year [NIWE - North Island Weather Events]," they said.
"We are not in a position to specify numbers of impacted property owners at this stage. Any decisions made by the council following these conversations will be made public.
"We are not at the same stage as Auckland and Hawke's Bay councils, where damage has been a focus for the Government," they said.
"MDC is continuing to communicate directly, and confidentially, with affected property owners."
Tinui School grounds after Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: Supplied / LDR / File
It is understood MDC itself will be discussing the issue at a private meeting on Wednesday 25 October.
The number of affected properties in Masterton district is significantly lower than in Hawke's Bay and Auckland.
A stop/go near Tinui as the cleanup continued after Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: LDR / file
Earlier this month, Hawke's Bay Regional Council confirmed there were 287 red-zoned category 3 properties in the region.
The buyout process in Hawke's Bay was expected to begin by the end of this month for those affected.
In Hawke's Bay, the next stage of voluntary buyouts for unsafe category 3 homes is expected to begin by the end of October.
Auckland Council reportedly plans to buy out about 700 flood-damaged properties as part of a $2 billion cost-sharing storm package with the government.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
