Avondale Earthquake Assistance Centre (EAC)

What does the centre do?

• Provides information and assistance for red zone homeowners who have insurance and are deciding on Government offers to buy their properties.
• Gives updates on services such as roading, sewerage and water.
• Helps connect those with earthquake-related housing, legal and/or insurance issues to the relevant services.
• Shares material from official agencies and community organisations, including notices and contact details.

What doesn’t it do?

It doesn’t provide a dispute resolution service between homeowners and insurance companies nor a forum for negotiating individual settlements. It can, however, provide information to help people decide on a purchase option, if any.

What does it look like?

A small single-storied, wooden building that has handled the earthquakes well. Previously part of the Avondale Golf Club complex, it has a Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) sign on the front of the building.

Where?

On the corner of Wainoni and Breezes Road, Avondale, with access from the golf course car-park. The centre is the first building in from the car-park.

Appointments?

As the centre will not necessarily be staffed by all organisations during opening hours, it is important you make an appointment. If you wish to meet with a representative of a particular organisation please ring 0800 RING CERA (0800 7464 2372) to make an appointment.

Who’s running the centre?

CERA has a facilitating role and has set it up.

Carmen Hammond of CERA is the centre manager. Staff from Christchurch City Council, Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service (CETAS), Earthquake Commission (EQC), Community Law Canterbury and some insurance firms are also present at the centre. Not all agencies will be there at all times, so it is best to ring first.

What is Christchurch City Council’s role?

To help those wishing to apply for rates rebates, rates relief, or who ask about infrastructure (roading, water, portaloos, chemical toilets etc).

What about the accommodation service (CETAS)?

CETAS provides a matching and placement service into appropriate temporary accommodation, provides financial assistance for additional accommodation costs and social wellbeing coordination for earthquake affected households.

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) and insurance firms?

EQC and some private insurers will talk about the claims process and help people understand insurance policies. Residents will get updates on timelines and insurance firm contact details to make it easier to resolve claims

Community Law Canterbury?

Lawyers from this group will give free legal help including making suggestions about finding a lawyer for those who don’t have one of their own.

Anyone else?

CERA hopes to display earthquake-related notices and contact details at the centre from other official agencies and community organisations.

Opening hours?

From 10am to 6.30pm, but these hours may change according to demand.

Location

View Avondale Earthquake Assistance Centre in a larger map

Avondale Golf Club, 141 Breezes Road, Avondale

Provider hours (subject to change)

• Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service: Monday to Friday 10am - 6:30pm
• Community Law Canterbury: Monday 10am - 5pm, Wednesday 10am - 4pm, Friday 10am - 4pm
• Christchurch City Council: Monday - Friday 10am - 6:30pm
• EQC: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:30am - 5:30pm, Tuesday 10:30 - 4pm
• Southern Response (formerly AMI Insurance): Thursday 2pm - 5pm
• IAG Insurance State: Tuesday and Thursday 10am - 1pm
• Red Zone Free Financial Advice: Monday 12:30pm - 3:30pm, Tuesday to Thursday 10am - 3.30pm, Friday 10am - 1pm