Edgecumbe tradie army making progress

Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne has helped make a tradie army helping Edgecumbe flood victims a reality. Photo/file

Edgecumbe's tradie army has established up to 50 homeowners might need its help.

A total of 17 homes have been registered with the army, officially known as the Liveable Homes Project. Strip-outs have already been completed on four homes which are now in the drying-out phase.

Liveable Homes coordinator John Pullar said the team was grateful to the Ngāti Awa Volunteer Army, which continued to organise skilled volunteers to help with house strip-outs.

There are 243 yellow-stickered homes in Edgecumbe and 37 in other parts of the Whakatane district.

Earlier this month, Whakatane district councillors unanimously approved the project, which will involves qualified tradespeople donating their labour and expertise to carry out the work, supported by the Ngati Awa Voluntary Army.

Property owners taking part in the project will have to sign a contract and give detailed information about their circumstances, confirming they don't have the means to repair their homes.