The centre will offer advice and info on support packages, insurance, earthquake preparedness, business and employment support, and health and welfare after the earthquake. File photo/Mark Mitchell
The centre will offer advice and info on support packages, insurance, earthquake preparedness, business and employment support, and health and welfare after the earthquake. File photo/Mark Mitchell
A one-stop shop called Eric (Earthquake Recovery Information Centre) is set to open in Wellington on Monday.
Mayor Justin Lester said the information centre, in the Public Trust building on Lambton Quay, will pull together representatives from agencies involved in helping people and businesses recover after the November 14 quake. "We want to make things easier for people seeking access help, advice and support following the quake - we've got a 500sqm space in the Public Trust building that we're going to fill up with the experts who can help," he said.
Wellington City Council is working with the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Inland Revenue and relevant community organisations to provide resources for the information centre.
The centre will offer advice and information on support packages, insurance, earthquake preparedness, business and employment support, and health and welfare, city councillor and council's economic development portfolio leader Simon Marsh said.
One of the frustrations for people after the Christchurch earthquake was having to go to multiple agencies to get advice and help, council recovery manager Mike Mendonca said.
"Having all the key agencies and experts in one place will help businesses and individuals deal with post-quake issues quickly and more easily.
"People affected by the quake are already carrying some stress and we need to help them through this period."
Earlier this week, the government announced it was extending the support package to quake-affected businesses in Wellington unable to operate due to the safety cordons. There is also some support available for individuals, and advice will be available to those seeking to access that.
The centre is at the corner of Lambton Quay and Stout St and will be open from 10am-7pm Monday to Friday. If there is demand it may also open 10am-2pm Saturdays.
