6 Sep 2010

Selwyn damage not as bad as other districts - mayor

9:54 am on 6 September 2010

Selwyn District Mayor Kelvin Coe says that even though the epicentre of Saturday's earthquake was in his region, the district has not been as badly damaged as Christchurch or Kaiapoi.

The magnitude 7.1 quake was centred near the town of Darfield about 30km west of Christchurch at a depth of 10km. it occurred at 4.35 am.

Mr Coe says damage to roads and bridges in the district could be fixed by the end of the week and only seven houses have been condemned.

But damage is reported from 61 buildings, including old homesteads and a modern commercial premises.

Mr Coe says Selwyn District residents must continue to boil their drinking water.