The Waitaki District Council has applied to extend their emergency powers for the foreseeable future in the wake of the Lake Ōhau fire.
Photo: RNZ / Anan Zaki
Under the transition period, the council has the power to close off the road or make other necessary decisions to keep people safe.
Recovery Manager Lichelle Guyan confirmed the council had applied for the extension with the expectation the cordon outside the village would be able to be lifted from 20 November.
The recovery team needed to be reassured that health and safety could be managed before opening the checkpoint, Guyan said.
Twelve properties have been demolished since the fire tore through early last month.
A further five demolitions are in progress with 21 more in the pipeline.
"We want to acknowledge the patience and understanding of residents and property owners. We are pleased to announce that some residents have already moved back in, others will this weekend and more on 9 November with a number of additional demolitions also completed on that date," Guyan said.
The recovery team continued to work with various agencies and property owners to confirm when the remaining demolitions would take place.
The council was working closely with Environment Canterbury and the Insurance Council to ensure there were no detrimental environmental impacts from the demolition, she said.