I just wonder how, almost a month on since the cyclone, there are some pockets of small communities around the country still struggling with absolutely no assistance or help from anyone. 

I heard some callers to this station yesterday saying how abandoned they feel, or how left out their area feels. No council, no government ministers, no police, nothing. No resources, no manpower, no input. Some orchardist’s say they feel completely bereft of any support.

And I can't understand it.. millions of dollars have been raised, donations were sent in their droves, people flooded into the area to help. So, how is it possible there are some people still without any support at all? 

Where has all the money and resources gone? Who's running the show on the ground? How much are people still relying on friends, family, and neighbours instead of professional resources? How are all the tonnes of silt going to get cleared? How have more diggers and trucks not been brought in? Where is the practical assistance? How are orchardist's and farms going to cope the longer they’re left to their own devices? 

Mental health must be strained, physical health must be absolutely stretched, finances at rock bottom, there’s only so much people can be pushed through and expected to bounce back from.

I think part of the problem is people want to help, there are plenty of volunteers, but it’s just getting them where they need to go and with the right resources. We're hearing stories from people willing to offer time, services and machinery but that bureaucrats are getting in the way of progress. 

Digger drivers are offering up services, no one gets back to them apparently. I know people who’ve offered sizable donations only to be held up with bureaucracy and admin stopping it or delaying it from where it needs to go.

So, I’m wondering about the co-ordination on the ground.. where is it? Who's doing it? Other than locals in their own communities? 

Mixed messages are also part of the problem. Some say they’ve offered up support only to be turned down by councils, some have been promised support only to have none show up at all. So, what exactly is going on? Some pockets of cyclone affected areas are thriving with support and help and numbers and resources, others have nothing and no one. 

Locals in Patoka say they’re still cut off and that no one’s turned up. Why? Politicians have come and gone, media have come and gone but there needs to be a consistent, constant stream of communication and support if this is ever going to get done properly. 

Access is a major so we know the roads need the work done ASAP, but some are saying they’ve run out of ideas of where to put everything, rubbish, silt, soaked contents, slash. Thousands of tonnes to move. And in many places, no one to help move it and nowhere to take it. 

I’ve spoken to local mayors fairly regularly and they seem to be good advocates for their communities, making all the right noises to get attention on their individual areas, but they’re only as good for as long as they’ve got a spotlight on them and a platform. 

I recall at the start of all this someone emailed me and said they hoped they wouldn't get forgotten about and heartbreakingly, I fear that’s what may have happened in some areas already, not even a month on.

I just wonder how, almost a month on since the cyclone, there are some pockets of small communities around the country still struggling with absolutely no assistance or help from anyone. 
I heard some callers to this station yesterday saying how abandoned they feel, or how left out their area feels. No council, no government ministers, no police, nothing. No resources, no manpower, no input. Some orchardist’s say they feel completely bereft of any support.
And I can't understand it.. millions of dollars have been raised, donations were sent in their droves, people flooded into the area to help. So, how is it possible there are some people still without any support at all? 
Where has all the money and resources gone? Who's running the show on the ground? How much are people still relying on friends, family, and neighbours instead of professional resources? How are all the tonnes of silt going to get cleared? How have more diggers and trucks not been brought in? Where is the practical assistance? How are orchardist's and farms going to cope the longer they’re left to their own devices? 
Mental health must be strained, physical health must be absolutely stretched, finances at rock bottom, there’s only so much people can be pushed through and expected to bounce back from.
I think part of the problem is people want to help, there are plenty of volunteers, but it’s just getting them where they need to go and with the right resources. We're hearing stories from people willing to offer time, services and machinery but that bureaucrats are getting in the way of progress. 
Digger drivers are offering up services, no one gets back to them apparently. I know people who’ve offered sizable donations only to be held up with bureaucracy and admin stopping it or delaying it from where it needs to go.
So, I’m wondering about the co-ordination on the ground.. where is it? Who's doing it? Other than locals in their own communities? 
Mixed messages are also part of the problem. Some say they’ve offered up support only to be turned down by councils, some have been promised support only to have none show up at all. So, what exactly is going on? Some pockets of cyclone affected areas are thriving with support and help and numbers and resources, others have nothing and no one. 
Locals in Patoka say they’re still cut off and that no one’s turned up. Why? Politicians have come and gone, media have come and gone but there needs to be a consistent, constant stream of communication and support if this is ever going to get done properly. 
Access is a major so we know the roads need the work done ASAP, but some are saying they’ve run out of ideas of where to put everything, rubbish, silt, soaked contents, slash. Thousands of tonnes to move. And in many places, no one to help move it and nowhere to take it. 
I’ve spoken to local mayors fairly regularly and they seem to be good advocates for their communities, making all the right noises to get attention on their individual areas, but they’re only as good for as long as they’ve got a spotlight on them and a platform. 
I recall at the start of all this someone emailed me and said they hoped they wouldn't get forgotten about and heartbreakingly, I fear that’s what may have happened in some areas already, not even a month on.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.