John Key

Wellington, Sept 6 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key today outlined decisions and facts on Canterbury's quake.

The main decisions are:

* The Government will make an initial $5 million contribution to the mayoral fund set up for hardship cases;

* about $6m has already been contributed;

* Cabinet Minister Gerry Brownlee will be the minister in charge of earthquake recovery, based in Christchurch;

* Mr Brownlee will also chair the new Cabinet committee on Canterbury reconstruction;

* the idea of appointing a special commissioner with longer term responsibility for recovery will be discussed with local mayors;

* $94m will be made available immediately from the emergency works fund for road repairs.

Key facts include:

* An estimated 100,000 of the 160,000 homes in the Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri areas are damaged;

* about 250 people are staying at welfare centres;

* the level of uninsured properties is still being evaluated, nationally the figure is about 5 percent;

* power is back in most places -- about 3500 properties have not been restored but the bulk will be by the end of the week;

* all rail lines will be restored by tomorrow;

* school inspections will be completed tomorrow with a decision about opening likely on Wednesday;

* 4000 calls were made to the Government helpline (0800-779-997);

* the Earthquake Commission (EQC) had has more than 15,000 claims so far;

* EQC is establishing three field offices in the city, each with about 40 staff, with the first opening later this week;

* Work and Income are contacting the about 16,000 elderly people known to live alone -- 10,000 calls were made this morning. Follow up visits would be made to anyone not reached by phone;

* 2200 calls were made by state house residents (there are about 6000 Housing New Zealand homes in the area) and 650 properties inspected of which 166 houses need some work. Between 100 and 200 houses need re-roofing but can be lived in.

* Treasury advised short term loss to the economy but an increase once repairs get going;

* the quake could cause some tax revenue volatility;

* The nation's credit rating was not hit by the quake but Christchurch City Council is under negative watch.