Farmers getting stressed by rubberneckers

Farmers have had crops trampled by unwelcome visitors. Photo / Geoff Sloan

Farmers dealing with the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquake are getting sick of rubberneckers.

Farm advisers and researchers told a meeting at Rolleston near Christchurch this week they had heard of crops being trampled by unwelcome visitors in some areas and farmers feeling like they were "in a fishbowl" as "rubberneckers" stopped to look at damage.

A report prepared by scientists and researchers from Lincoln and Canterbury universities suggested farmers were becoming stressed by being the centre of much attention.

"One family whose house lies on the fault has had the trauma of violent shaking, a badly damaged house and land, and the news that they cannot reoccupy the site. Now, over a week after the event, large numbers of people are still treating their home as a spectacle and inconveniencing them by blocking their driveway," the report said.

Other farmers had also reported unapproved access to their land, which could create health and safety liabilities, especially as land and trees were destabilised during the earthquake.

The Rural Recovery Group, set up to deal with the rural response to the quake, said if people wanted to see the effects on the landscape, they should visit the television channels' websites.

RRG co-ordinator Allan Baird said rural representatives are out checking their clients are coping with the aftermath of the quake.

"Some of the damage that's been done is underground - with water systems, so it's not possible to see the effects immediately and may take some time to pinpoint," he said today.

"Another issue is cracks in grain silo structures - apart from obvious structural failures, farmers won't necessarily know the extent of this damage until the silos are empty and that could be six months away."

Mr Baird said offers of support and assistance were rolling in thick and fast to the group, but some farmers were being reluctant to seek support.

"Everything from on from on-farm support to fruit cakes are being offered. We know how farmers are loath to put theirs hands up asking for help, thinking that others will be worse off, but let's make sure these offers of help are utilised - let us know what you need now.

"Stress about finances could be starting to build up for farmers and rural lifestylers and that's when it's important to talk to someone and get some help."

"There are people around New Zealand who are very very keen to pitch in and provide goods, services or raise funds to alleviate the rural issues. We just need to know where the needs are."

* Rural Recovery Group can be contacted on 03 347 2800 or 03 318 8338. Its online pages are on the internet on Selwyn District Council's website, www.selwyn.govt.nz.

- NZPA