More than one hundred flood-stricken businesses in Edgecumbe are yet to find out when they will receive their government relief funds.
Household items are being piled on the curbside. Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley
Edgecumbe, which has about 1600 residents, was evacuated earlier this month when the Rangitāiki River burst its banks during heavy rainfall.
The Government last week announced a support package of $250,000 dollars to help businesses in the area recover.
A farmer drives through flood waters on Otaiki Road the morning after the town of Edgecumbe was flooded by a burst stopbank Photo: RNZ/ Brad White
Whakatāne's Mayor Tony Bonne said no clear time frame has been set for the financial boost.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment were still gathering data on which businesses were affected and who had insurance, in order to allocate the funds, he said.
The government would not top up those who were already covered by insurance for interruption to their business.
Mr Bonne was confident businesses would not be waiting much longer.