Newtown fire update

Status of the Loafers Lodge building

Wellington City Council (WCC) building officers and environmental health officers are currently assisting FENZ and Police. 
 
The Loafers Lodge has a Building Warrant of Fitness issued in March this year. There were no concerns raised by the independently qualified person who inspected and tested the life safety systems in the building.
 
The Council has contacted the building owners to offer any assistance they may need.  
 
The Council also has a Building Compliance team working with FENZ and MBIE to provide them with information on the building. The Council will work with appropriate authorities on any investigations.

Welfare

If you have been displaced

Those directly affected by the Loafers Lodge tragedy who require additional assistance can contact Victim Support 24/7 on 0800 842 846.

Victim Support provide a wide range of services including mental health support, advocacy, and financial assistance and can connect you with the support you need.

Financial help for displaced residents is also available through the Mayoral Relief Fund, administered by Wellington City Mission 04 245 0900.

MSD are best placed to help meet essential needs including food, clothing, and accommodation 0800 559 009.

If you would prefer to speak to someone in person, you may walk into any MSD Office and advise staff that you have been displaced.

• Newtown Office: 94 Riddiford St
• Wellington Central: 195 Willis St.

Alternatively, our staff at Te Wāhi Āwhina Community Support (117 Manners St) are available to talk through support options with anyone in need – open Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 10am-2pm.

If you need someone to talk to

The following organisations offer free mental health support services:

• Victim Support 0800 842 846
• Te Haika 0800 745 477
• The Depression Helpline 0800 111 757
• Need to Talk? 1737 (call or text)

Free group counselling is available for all of those impacted by the Loafers Lodge fire, from residents through to whānau and those affected by the news. Please contact DCM, 2 Lukes Lane to enquire about session times on 04 384 7699.

If you have any further questions around accessing support, please contact the WCC Welfare team on 04 499 4444. 

Please note all enquiries regarding missing persons are being handled by the Police who can be contacted on 105.

Traffic management

Adelaide Road will be open to all traffic from 6am Thursday 25 May. But north bound traffic will be just one lane from John Street to Hospital Road so there may still be some delays while the NZ Police investigation is ongoing.

Mayoral relief fund

A Wellington Mayoral Relief Fund has been established to accept donations from the public and organisations, following an outpouring of offers of help.

Deposits can be made via the Wellington City Mission and tagged to the Loafers Lodge fire.

Wellington City Council will contribute $50,000 to the fund. 

Donate here

Health

Asbestos

The roof of Loafers Lodge contained some asbestos material and small pieces of the cement containing asbestos fibres are present in the area immediately surrounding the damaged building. This material will be kept damp until removed preventing asbestos fibres being released into the air. Asbestos fibres are not considered a health risk unless they are present in the air.

In outdoor settings, asbestos fibres disperse quickly. The number of fibres in the air returns to low levels within a few metres of a contamination source. The risk to neighbouring properties from the site is therefore low; however, here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk further:

• Where possible, keep windows and doors closed.
• If there is dust or debris around your property, remove shoes before entering your house.
• Clean any dust on surfaces, shoes etc. using a damp disposable cloth. 

For more information about the health risks from asbestos follow the links below or contact Public Health on 04 570 9002:

www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/environmental-health/hazardous-substances/asbestos

www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/07/enhealth-guidance-asbestos-guide-for-householders-and-the-general-public.pdf